What type of Apex programmer are you?

Preface: this post is part of the Certifications and Careers series.

The Destined One

Code runs in your blood, but you just don’t know it yet. There have been flashes of technical brilliance, however due to life’s circumstances, you never really learned how to code. But nothing can hold you back from your calling forever. You’re ready to fulfill your destiny, and should a mountain stand in the way of you and code, you’ll cut down the mountain with your strength!

Career paths: The world is your oyster – those who work hard and are driven can open any door. I’ve seen these people become everything including Technical Architects, Team Leaders, Product Managers, and much more. Remember that many of the best developers in the Salesforce industry started as mid-career non-coders!

The Machine

You hard-delete all technical problems with ruthless efficiency. This is what you were built to do, and you love it. You’re a master of execution like none other. Most people waste time chasing waterfalls, but not you. Code flows from your CPU to your fingers to the screen at 100+ words per minute. Your only weakness is that you have difficulty computing humans and their irrational emotions.

Career paths: Supply of machines are low, and demand is sky-high in the industry. Machines never have issues finding employment (contract or full-time), in fact, even while employed, machines are getting job requests left and right. Your salaries are nice and your work is low-stress. Senior Developers, Technical Leads, and Technical Architects.

The Cowboy

You walk to the beat of your own drum. No one, even your boss, tells you what to do because they know that you do it best. Sometimes, you don’t even write complete test classes because you know your code will work and getting just barely above the 75% minimum is good enough. Sandbox? HA! You do your testing in production! Cowboys often work alone because other people just slow them down.

Career paths: Cowboys fit best in smaller, startup-ish environments where there is less structure holding them back and their ideas can be hacked together in short amounts of time. Some cowboys get filthy rich off IPO stock options! Senior Developers, Business Analysts, and Salesforce Administators.

The Visionary

If life was a chess board, you’d be thinking ten moves ahead. What happens today is of little concern because you belong in the future. You’re a dreamer – always have been and always will be. By nature, you like to be around the latest and the greatest. That’s what brought you to Salesforce. Coding Apex is simply one of your many tools because it lets you built quick prototypes. Ideas are your best assets.

Career paths: People naturally want to follow you. You need to be in a company/role that focuses on innovation. If not already starting your own company, you should probably work at a startup to learn the intangibles. Otherwise, Product Management or People Management are great fits!

The Architect

Solving problems is an art. Few people understand the technical complexities of the applications you build because you make it look so easy. An elegant solution to a complicated problem is like a beautiful painting that belongs in a museum. Salesforce is your canvas and Apex your paintbrush. You have complete mastery over any challenge and may one day reach Salesforce enlightenment!

Career paths: Your skills are the most highly valued in the industry. Many Architects roam from deployment to deployment commanding extreme salaries. Salesforce Solutions Architect, Technical Architect, Senior Developer, Technical Lead, Product Manager, or Teacher.

The Designer

You strive to create beauty in even the most minute details. People are delighted to have the opportunity to use your creations because they are a joy to the eyes and the mind. You believe that programmers spend too much time thinking about the code on the inside, and not enough time on how the application looks and feels on the outside. What good is well-coded app if no one wants to use it? Your code isn’t perfect, but dang does it look good!

Career paths: You’d fit well in front-end coding positions, which focuses on building the interface and not the background processes. Web Development, Senior Developer (focusing on Visualforce), or User Interface / User Experience are HOT roles these days and fit you well!

The Girly Geek

You’re not afraid to take a journey off the beaten path and prove all the naysayers wrong. Unfortunately for the world, these personalities are a rarity, and some people will go out of their way to make sure it stays that way. But you don’t let that slow you down. In fact, adversity has only made you stronger! Note to the world: if you know a Girly Geek, keep her close! She’ll be forging new paths everywhere she goes.

Career paths: Trailblazers don’t follow pre-defined paths! Find what you love and charge ahead 100%! I recommend regularly meeting with people similar to you so you can learn and grow together.

The Soldier

You find ways to get things done no matter what. You quickly analyze the situation and exhaust every possible solution whereas others would have given up a long time ago. That’s what brought you to Apex in the first place. Instead of saying “that’s impossible,” you were brave and committed enough to learn an entire programming language so you could complete your mission. You are extremely reliable and will find the most effective solution to a problem whether or not it requires code.

Career paths: Organizations love you in any role because you’re highly dependable and a jack-of-all-trades. Salesforce Solutions Architect, Product Management, and Salesforce Adminstrator jobs will fit you well, but don’t feel obligated to confine yourself to any role!

So, which one are you?
Just because you’re a girl, it doesn’t mean you have to be a Girly Geek. DUH!! I know for a fact that most of my friends would say I’m a Girly Geek myself (hey – there’s nothing wrong with a grown man watching Frozen five times by himself)! Although I do like to think of myself as an Architect.

Tell us your type in the comments section!

Next post: Why you should get Salesforce certified right now!