What Personal Skills or Qualities are Needed to Become a Computer Programmer?

Answer:
A computer programmer may write, develop, test,

and maintain a variety of computer programs and software that tell a computer what to do. They may also assist computer operators or system analysts in analyzing and solving computer problems.

Skills needed to be a computer programmer include:

*Communication - a computer programmer must be able to communicate effectively with others via written or verbal expression

*Critical Thinking/Reasoning – a computer programmer must be able to analyze various data or computer difficulties as well as deciding and implementing the best strategic approach to individual situations

*Technology – a computer programmer must be knowledgeable in all aspects of computers and electronics such as computer hardware, software, and the different types of computer paraphernalia

*Math – a computer programmer should be knowledgeable in applications and interrelationships of numbers (algebra, geometry, statistics, etc.)

Computer programmers may work in an office or as independent contractors. Many have extended work hours. Computer programmers may have to be “on call” at times, especially during initial stages of programming.