What traits can hint a teenager he should pursue software development career?

Question

We're gonna have a day when employees' kids will visit our company office. The idea is that they will come see "how parents work", "how cool stuff is done", have fun, etc. Kids will be up to 17 years old.

Now I suppose some of the teenagers already think of what they wanna do when they finally grow up and will ask questions like "how can I tell I should get a degree in software engineering and not in logistics/finances/whatever?" So I think we better be prepared and ready to answer those questions so that those who really fit don't waste time but use their potential to the full.

What traits that already emerge in teenage years indicate that a person could become a very good software developer?

Answer 1

The only thing I can really say is that you had better be a person who enjoys solving puzzles. Sometimes maddening ones. That is what you will be spending most of your career doing.

Answer 2

One thing I would say is that in many respects programming gives you the same sort of satisfaction that gaming does. Solving complicated problems is fantastically stimulating, and if you enjoy gaming or puzzles, software development might be something to look into. Personally, I think it offers so much in terms of personal development and intellectual challenge, and even though most teenagers might not grasp it (I certainly didn't at that age) the gaming analogy is quite valid.

Answer 3

If a kid asks "how can I tell I should get a degree in software engineering and not in logistics/finances/whatever?", I would tell him to go logistics/whatever. If he is supposed to be a strong software developer, at age 17 he should know it for sure without asking.

I love this essay from Peter Norvig: Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years. The bottom line is that learning to program is not a light task that can be accomplished in a few days or months. It takes years, most likely around 10, to become a strong programmer.

So I think it's quite easy to identify kids who have chances to become very good software developers: they have to be interested in programming at an early age. 17 is a bit too late -- I'm not saying it's impossible, but it's a lot harder than if they started at 10.

Answer 4

I did my first programming in BASIC and LOGO when I was 8, and loved it. They need to get going already!

The way to know what you should do for a career is to try it and see if you like it. Whatever gets you going is the right choice.

For programming, a copy of Scratch is a good place to start.

Answer 5

show'em the flight simulator inside excel .. ;-)