Switching the career path and changing long-term ambitions is never an easy choice. Still, in many cases this step is feasible, living up the new hopes and professional growth. In the sphere of web/app design and development this sort of situation is, perhaps, even more common than in the others due to the dynamic and rocketing progress of information and communication technology in the world. New professions and positions pop up like mushrooms after the rain, opening totally new perspectives and allowing professionals to set new ambitions.
Our today’s story is of this kind: Tubik iOS developer Maxim Pedko will share his experience of the career switch from QA engineering and project management to iOS development. Check out the interview and get inspired!
How did you make the decision on your career choice?
Actually, I had quite extensive and various experience: before the first step in development, I worked as a QA engineer and project manager. Still, my big dream getting stronger and stronger was to create real products by myself. One day, working over current tasks, I realized that I have to change my life and try something new that will get me closer to my ambition. I had studied the basics of PHP, web development, CMS and it even let me earn something for a living, but didn’t give me real pleasure from my work. I developed simple plugins for CMS WordPress, but I didn’t feel it like the full-scale development as the plugins were focused mainly on correction of existing design according to client’s requirement, not more. That job wasn’t bad, it was just not the one for me as I didn’t get either aesthetic or professional inspiration.
Why did you choose Apple as the field for your career growth?
I deeply and sincerely fell for iPhones and other products by Apple after their first presentation. That distant day when Steve Jobs presented a new revolutionary buttonless mobile phone with a beautiful photorealistic interface, called iPhone, they won me over with their design and usability. Since then, I have been a keen fan of Apple, although unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to get their devices for myself. Certainly, a lot of things have changed since the presentations of the first iPhone, iOS, iPad, yet I am still the supporter of this company products and philosophy.
Swift vs Objective-C. Why did you choose Swift?
Before I started programming for iOS devices, I had analyzed the well-known and established Objective-C and newer Swift. For me, the issues to consider were the following:
- Swift is easier readable than Objective-C
- Swift is easier maintained and supported
- Swift requires less amount of code
- Interactive coding is available at Swift Sandbox
- Swift is the platform for the future, as Apple have outlined their intent of the full switch to this programming language.
Where does the way of iOS developer start?
To start developing iOS applications, first of all, you need high motivation and wish to grow professionally. Without the great desire to self-develop and study the field in detail, it’s better not to start, moving yourself to the further search of the domain you are interested in. Starting the career in iOS development, you should be ready to some aspects that won’t let you do it from the very first day. For instance, you won’t be able to code iOS apps without a computer from Apple! You will need Xcode which works only on MacOS.
I have tried the software that is argued to enable developers to code for iOS on other operational systems: it took me ages to install it via virtual machines and tune the soft into more or less working condition, still it didn’t work efficiently and heavily overloaded the computer. There were even the moments when I got so frustrated that wanted to throw away my computer through the window and forget it as a nightmare. So, I had to accept the rules of the game that there’s no other way than coding for iOS on MacOS.
Another essential thing to mention is that to develop iOS apps you really need only Apple computer still it’s not required to buy all the existing devices like iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches etc. Xcode has simulators of all the devices with which the application will be potentially used so having developed the application for one of them, you can instantly test it on the simulator of the device.
Anyway, if you have bought an Apple computer, set up Xcode and are ready to code iOS apps, you will need the reliable source of information, knowledge and practice in studying Swift. There are numerous materials on this topic shared via YouTube, such as video lessons and vlogs; also you will definitely find the text-based sources like blogs and forums for developers, but the most reliable, actual and truthful source of data for you is the official website for Apple developers. Another useful resource is Swift website presenting lots of tutorials and practice for studying Swift coding and I would also recommend the interactive course Developing iOS 9 Apps with Swift. No doubt, to keep up-to-date, iOS developer should never miss conferences and presentations from Apple.
What are the other domains of knowledge needed in this sphere?
I have to admit that basic knowledge plays the vital role for professional growth in this field. Before you start to learn programming, not being a native English speaker, you have to understand that without knowing English solidly you’ll get the experience when the best and the most reliable sources on not only iOS, but also programming, in general, are shut for you. That’s the reason to constantly improve and practice the language even if you think you know it well.
If you don’t own Apple computer working on MacOs, it’s not the reason to get in despair. You have to plan your steps and study everything that you will potentially need in the future. Before starting iOS development, I had studied operations in client-server applications, REST API, basics of OOP, databases, base operators, types of data, – everything that can be studied before starting real practice in coding on Swift.
Could you share your real experience that allows considering the possible risks?
As I’ve mentioned, to get real experience you will obviously need an Apple computer. If you don’t have it, try asking your friends or finding hubs where you’ll be able to try actual programming on Mac. It’s vital to understand if you really want to continue your professional way in the sphere as, you see, the start needs some basic capital, at least in the form of quite expensive hardware.
When you start getting real experience in development, don’t be afraid to start coding for real simple projects and get precious practice of both development and communication with customers. That’s important to make your name in this highly competitive sphere and open new perspectives for complex and interesting projects in the future.
If by any reason you are afraid of freelance platforms or frightened to be cheated, working on your own projects you should carefully plan the tasks and set the deadlines. There are many good sources where you can buy lessons or get them free, and there you are provided with the practical tasks which you are obliged to complete. You have to be persistent, try and study, be always open to new knowledge in development, – this is the only productive way to the day when you start creating efficiently working code.
As for me, to get the knowledge and practice of iOS development without having my own Apple computer, I did my best to get enrolled to Tubik Studio as an intern. To get more practice and have more hours of effective studying, I took the risky step having left my previous workplace and devoting the maximum of time to progress in what I saw my future. After two months the risk paid off: I got an offer of the full-time developer’s position in the iOS department. Moreover, I’ve got the precious experience of working in team of professionals that opens the door to more complex, sophisticated and significant projects, shut for freelancers working solo.
And my message to those who start this way is the following: it’s not enough to buy the original computer; it’s not enough to narrowly focus on one aspect of the job without studying the others. It’s vital to realize that whatever is the sphere of development you see yourself in, you should get filled with new knowledge on a daily basis, and only persistence, hard work and self-education will bring you to being a productive and highly-skilled developer.
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