Did You Know?
Bill Gates wrote his first computer program at age 13: a tic-tac-toe game that let users play against the computer. He went on to co-found Microsoft and become one of the most impactful (and richest) people in history.
How to Get Started
Getting started in a career in software development begins with learning to code and building projects. Unlike many careers, software development has an incredibly low barrier to entry: you can start learning for free right now with just a computer and an internet connection. The most successful developers are lifelong learners who build things they care about and are not afraid to make mistakes. Starting early with coding basics, building real projects, and connecting with the developer community can set you on a path to becoming a software developer.
Explore the Basics
Start with visual, block-based coding tools like Scratch (scratch.mit.edu), which lets you create games and animations by snapping colorful blocks together instead of typing code. Code.org offers free courses designed specifically for kids. These tools teach you programming concepts like loops, conditions, and variables through play.
Try It Out
Create your own games, stories, or animations in Scratch and share them with friends and family. Participate in Hour of Code activities during Computer Science Education Week. Try coding toys and games like Osmo, Sphero robots, or LEGO Mindstorms that combine physical play with programming.
Join the Community
Share your Scratch projects in the Scratch online community, where millions of young creators share and remix each other's work. Ask family members or teachers who know about coding to show you what they do. Watch age-appropriate coding videos on YouTube Kids to see what is possible.
How to Become a Software Developer
Explore more resources for a future Software Developer
The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey To Mastery, 20th Anniversary Edition (2nd Edition)
David Thomas and Andrew Hunt
Why We Picked It
Career Connection
Senior developers mentor juniors on best practices like version control, testing, and continuous improvement, and this book packages that same mentorship wisdom into actionable daily habits.
Learning Resources Botley The Coding Robot Activity Set - 77 Pieces, Ages 5+, Screen-Free Coding Robots for Kids, STEM Toys for Kids, Programming for Kids, for Kids
Why We Picked It
Career Connection
Software developers write algorithms that tell machines how to move, respond, and make decisions, and Botley introduces the same input-output logic and sequential programming that professional coding is built on.
Code Girls: The True Story of the American Women Who Secretly Broke Codes in World War II (Young Readers Edition)
Liza Mundy (Young Readers Edition)
Why We Picked It
Career Connection
Cybersecurity analysts and software engineers use encryption, pattern recognition, and code-breaking logic daily, and these women's stories show kids the same analytical thinking that modern security professionals rely on.