My Journey to Becoming an iOS Developer: From Android Bootcamp to Apple Enthusiast

Breaking into the world of iOS development was not a straightforward path for me. It required dedication, perseverance, and a strong passion for technology. My journey started in 2022 when I enrolled in a six-month Android development bootcamp, which was fully remote. At the time, I was working demanding shifts, often night shifts, making it incredibly difficult to balance work and study. However, my desire to become a developer kept me going.

The Transition to iOS Development

Despite completing the Android bootcamp, my passion for Apple’s ecosystem pushed me towards a new direction. In 2023, I decided to shift my focus entirely to iOS development. Since I was coming from a non-iOS background, I started by purchasing Angela Yu’s famous iOS Development course on Udemy. This course gave me a solid foundation, and I began creating small projects, mostly following along with the lessons.

However, I quickly realized that following a course alone wasn’t enough. To truly learn, I had to apply what I learned, build my own projects, and seek additional resources. I discovered Kavsoft’s YouTube tutorials, which helped me tremendously in improving my UI/UX skills, an area I have always been passionate about.

Building Personal Projects: The Key to Learning

As I progressed, I started working on my own small projects. One of the most interesting ones was an app designed to help users store and remember their favorite restaurants and dishes, particularly for sushi all-you-can-eat places. While I never published this app, the experience of building it taught me a lot about SwiftUI, database management, and app architecture.

Working on personal projects is one of the most valuable things a junior developer can do. It allows you to:

• Strengthen your problem-solving skills by tackling real challenges.

• Apply theoretical knowledge in a practical way.

• Build a portfolio that showcases your abilities.

• Develop consistency, which is crucial in such a competitive field.

Looking ahead to 2025, I plan to take this even further by developing more personal apps as part of my self-branding journey. Creating and publishing apps will not only help me improve my skills but also establish my presence in the iOS development community.

The Job Search Struggle

After completing my course and building several small apps, I expanded my LinkedIn network and began searching for my first iOS job. The process was extremely difficult. It took me one full year to land my first opportunity. The demand for iOS developers in Italy is quite low compared to other countries, making the job hunt even more challenging, especially for juniors.

However, networking played a crucial role in finding my first job. Connecting with professionals, engaging in discussions, and showcasing my progress on LinkedIn helped open doors. Additionally, collaborating with other junior developers on small projects contributed to my learning and growth.

Consistency and Patience Are Key

For those aspiring to become iOS developers, my biggest piece of advice is to stay consistent. Learning to code is a marathon, not a sprint. Even when things seem overwhelming, or progress feels slow, every small step you take counts.

• Keep building projects, even if they never get published.

• Expand your professional network on platforms like LinkedIn and GitHub.

• Stay updated with new technologies and frameworks.

• Be patient — the right opportunity will come if you keep pushing forward.

In my next article, I’ll dive into the details of how I finally landed my first job as an iOS developer, sharing tips and insights from my job search experience. Stay tuned!