I've been doing this for over ten years. Experience doesn't guarantee you'll be a great or even good programmer, but it sure helps especially if you're in environments where you will be pushed to take on more responsibilities and have mentorship.
I won't say I'm pushed, but rather I get put a knife to throat, each time that has happened it has chipped away at my passion for programming in general. Now that I think of coding then the emotions that come up are negative. When I was a beginner emotions were positive and exhilarating, like I couldn't wait to wake up tomorrow and try this new thing. I believe it's all thanks "being pushed". I hate managers who think like this.