I would consider myself an intermediate programmer. I don't think I'm ever really going to get better than that. I've read code from what I consider to be good programmers and worked under these people as well and I don't think I have it in me to be that good. I'm not saying that one day things might click, I just don't think they will (I've been programming for 12 years now and things still haven't clicked!). And the glass isn't half full, I'm just trying to be realistic!
In spite of this, I would still love to move up the ranks in the workplace and one day take on more senior roles. Could I realistically ever move into a senior developer role, or is this an unfair expectation. Are other paths more suitable for me. Some other paths I've thought about include:
- Team leader (Is this even different from senior developer?)
- Management
- Project manager
The problem is I do love programming so don't really want to leave it altogether which is where I fear project/management lines might take me.
Are there other skills I could develop and work on that might help offset my lack of senior programming skills. Perhaps skills such as communication, motivational, inter-personal, organizational, passion, etc.?
Or as I fear, is being a great programmer the be all and end all of being a senior developer?
EDIT: For an intermediate programmer I guess it could vary dependant on the company's or individual's perception of these levels. But I guess I'm not thinking of it in terms of how long you have been at a company but rather the skills/attributes that would be required to make that step (whatever it may be) to the next level.