As I look back on my first year in this job, I realize that I learned more than I ever thought possible. Even if there are many challenges along the way, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. Here are some of the most important things I've learned so far:
1. Embrace creativity and challenge
One of the things that made me follow this career path was the opportunity to be creative and solve complex problems. I quickly learned that this can also be one of the most challenging aspects of this job. However, there were many times that I struggled to come up with a solution to a complex problem or times that I felt like I was at a dead end.
Even so, I also found that these moments of struggle often led to breakthroughs and new insights. So, the first lesson that I've learned is to embrace the creative and challenging aspects of the job and don't be afraid to push yourself outside of your comfort zone.
2. Turning Roadblocks into Learning Opportunities
As a new software engineer, I often felt like I needed to prove myself and show that I was capable of solving any problem at any time. Guess what, NO! I've miserably failed!
I quickly realized that there were many cases when my best efforts were not enough to solve a problem or complete a task and this can be discouraging. Despite this, it's important to acknowledge these moments as opportunities for growth and learning. Instead of giving up or becoming frustrated, I focused on what I could do to improve and move forward.
And this is the second lesson I learned the hard way. Recognize that your best efforts may not always be enough, but also remember that these moments of struggle can lead to valuable insights and growth.
3. Don't be afraid to ask for more help
This is important. If I could turn back the time in my first six months of work I would tell myself:
"Dude, you are here to learn! So, ask more! They want it and you can't handle everything by yourself!"
Often, I struggled with a problem for hours, only to find out that a colleague had already solved a similar issue and could offer me advice. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a strength and a willingness to learn.
Also, don't worry, eventually, all this knowledge you will gain by asking will be returned to the team in code implementation soon! So, my advice to new developers (like me) is to not be afraid to ask for help when you need it and engage with your colleagues. Your colleagues and seniors are there to support you and help you grow.
4. Understand the problem before writing code
Take a moment and think of the title above. It's easy to get caught up in the details of the code and the tools you're using, so it's important to remember that software engineering is ultimately about solving business problems. It is essential to provide the best solution.
By taking the time to understand the business logic and the problem, I was able to come up with more effective and efficient solutions. Take the time to understand the problem before diving into writing code.
5. Be kind and patient with yourself and others
Last but not least, the most important lesson I learned is to be kind and respectful to everyone. Don't fuel your mind with thoughts like "lesser than", or "better than" as comparison and competition only serve to create unnecessary stress and tension.
Focus on being consistent with your work whenever possible and be patient with yourself as you move forward. Experience will come with time and effort but kindness and patience are qualities that will serve you through your career.
---
These experiences have helped me to become a better developer and a more collaborative team member. Thank you for reading my thoughts and I hope that you'll find this helpful if you are at the beginning of your career!