6 Years in Tech: Lessons I Wish I Knew When I Was Starting

About six years ago, I started this journey into programming. My first ever line of code? A simple Hello World! written in C#. Seeing those words pop up on my screen was kind of magic. From there, it was a deep dive into the basics, and then the tougher stuff, all the way through software academy. Back in those early days, arrays were my nemesis. I wrestled with them, did exercise after exercise, until one day, it clicked. Since then, I’ve picked up a few tricks and skills. And you know what? I think they might just help you out too.

The Launchpad

Like with anything new, starting out is the toughest part. Before you jump into the wild jungle of software development, you’ve got to ask yourself: Can I plant myself in front of a computer for hours every day? If that’s a yes, you’re already on the path to becoming a software engineer. But here’s the real deal — you won’t truly know if this is your thing until you give it a shot.

Foundation Matters

Getting a grip on the basics and what’s going on under the hood is key for any software engineer. It’s like knowing the secret workings of a magic trick. Once you really get how it all works, you can craft not just good, but great and clever solutions. This deep understanding lets you look at problems from a new angle, opening the door to designs that are smarter, stronger, and ahead of the curve.

Landing the First Job

Landing the first job is the hardest, everyone has been in this situation when you apply to a few job ads and nobody calls you. Everyone wants people with experience but in order to get experience you have to work. It’s a endless loop, if you want to escape this trap the best thing to do is to build some personal project, you need to distinguish from the others, for example if we are talking about web development, build one, two, three apps that shows your skills from building the backend to creating the ui, this is the easiest way for you to show the recruiter that you have some knowledge and you might be suitable for the role. Or you cannot thing of any idea, ask chatgpt or ask some of your friends, I garantee that at least one person you know will need a website.

Avoiding Tutorial Trap

Getting stuck in what I call the “tutorial loop” is pretty easy when you’re starting out as a software engineer. It’s like you’re in a cozy bubble with those step-by-step guides, but here’s the thing — at some point, you’ve gotta step out. Here’s how to do it without freaking out:

• Start Your Own Mini Projects: After you’ve done a few tutorials, try making something from scratch. It doesn’t have to be the next Facebook. Think small, like a basic website or a calculator. You learn loads when you apply what you’ve studied.
• Learn to Love Bugs: I know, it sounds weird. But when you step away from tutorials, you’re gonna hit some bugs. And that’s okay. Fixing them helps you understand what’s really going on with your code.
• Really Get What You’re Doing: Don’t just copy-paste code. Try to get why you’re doing what you’re doing. Each line of code is there for a reason. Figure that out, and you’re golden.
• Talk Code With Others: Join a coding group or find some buddies online. Talking about your code and getti ng feedback is super helpful. Plus, you can learn a lot from how others tackle problems.
• Ease Off the Tutorials: Gradually try to rely less on tutorials. Challenge yourself to figure things out before running back to them. Use them only if you’re totally stuck.
• Write About Your Coding Adventures: Write down what you learn and the bugs you fight. It helps to cement your learning and, trust me, it’s cool to look back and see how far you’ve come.

Adopting a Problem-Solving Mindset

Okay, so you’re learning to code and suddenly, bam! You hit a problem that feels like a brick wall. That’s totally normal. But here’s a secret: being a great software engineer isn’t just about writing code, it’s about solving puzzles. And how do you get better at puzzles? By changing the way you think. Here’s how:

• Break It Down: When you face a big, scary problem, don’t try to tackle it all at once. Break it into smaller pieces. It’s like eating a pizza slice by slice, instead of shoving the whole thing in your mouth.
• Keep Calm: When things get tough, take a deep breath. Freaking out never solved anything. Stay calm and you’ll think clearer.
• Learn from Mistakes: You’re gonna mess up. A lot. And that’s cool. Each mistake is like a little teacher telling you what not to do next time.
• Ask What If: Don’t just stick to what you know. Ask, “What if I try this way?” Experimenting can lead you to some pretty neat solutions.
• Don’t Give Up: Sometimes, you might want to quit and do something easier. But hang in there. The best feeling is when you finally solve that problem that’s been driving you nuts.

Remember, every coder started where you are now. And every problem that makes you want to throw your computer out the window? It’s making you better. Stick with it, and you’ll be amazed at what you can do.

Catching up with the trends

Staying on top of trends in tech? It’s like trying to drink from a fire hose — overwhelming, but necessary. Tech moves fast. Blink, and you might miss something. But here’s a secret: you don’t need to chase every shiny new thing.

Start by picking one or two trends that really catch your eye. Maybe it’s a new programming language that’s picking up steam, or a piece of cutting-edge software. Whatever it is, dive deep. Read about it, play around with it, break it apart and put it back together. That way, you’re not just following the trend; you’re living it.

And remember, it’s not just about knowing the latest and greatest. It’s about understanding how these new toys fit into the big picture. How can they make your work, or someone else’s, easier, faster, or just plain better?

Finally, don’t keep all that knowledge to yourself. Share it — write a blog post, make a video, or just chat with your colleagues about what you’ve learned. Sharing not only helps others but also cements your own understanding.

Remember catching up with trends doesn’t mean running a race; it’s more like nurturing a garden. It takes time, patience, and a bit of curiosity, but it’s worth it when you see your skills bloom and grow.

Beyond Code

Coding’s just one piece of the puzzle in tech. It’s big, yeah, but there’s more. Think about all the other pieces that make up a whole picture. That’s where soft skills come in.

See, being a whiz at coding is great, but can you talk about your code? Can you work with a team, smooth out a tough spot with a coworker, or explain a complex idea to someone not in tech? These skills — they’re like the glue holding everything together.

Soft skills mean listening, really hearing what others are saying. It’s about clear talk, not just tech talk. And empathy — putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. It sounds simple, but it’s a game-changer.

Here’s the thing: tech problems aren’t always just tech problems. Sometimes, they’re people problems. Maybe it’s a misunderstanding, or a different point of view. If you can navigate these, you’re not just coding; you’re solving real problems.

And then, there’s leadership. It’s not about bossing people around. It’s about guiding, helping, and inspiring. It’s showing up, not just with your keyboard, but with your character.

Building these skills, it’s not overnight. It’s practice, mistakes, learning, and growing. But the payoff? Huge. You become more than a programmer. You become someone who not only writes great code but also makes a great impact.

Balance Between Work and Personal Life

There’s a sneaky thing about really loving your work, especially in the tech world. Time can just slip away, like water through your fingers. One minute, you’re diving into a problem, and the next, the clock’s spun hours ahead. It’s even easier when your office is just steps from your bed.

Here’s the picture: you wake up, grab a coffee, and you’re at work. No commute, no traffic. Just you and your screen. It feels good, right? Your brain’s buzzing, ideas are flowing, and suddenly, it’s dark outside.

When the work’s gripping, when you’re deep in the code or unraveling a tricky problem, hours tick by unnoticed. It’s like reading a good book; you just can’t put it down. At home, there’s no one to say, “Hey, time to head home,” because, well, you’re already there.

But here’s the twist: just because it’s easy, doesn’t mean it’s always good. Working non-stop, forgetting to take breaks or stretch your legs, it can sneak up on you. You might not feel it right away, but over time, it adds up. Your back gets cranky, your eyes tired, and maybe your sleep gets wonky.

Working from home, it’s vital to remember: just because you can work all the time, doesn’t mean you should. Finding joy in your work is great, but finding a moment to step away, to enjoy life outside of the digital world, that’s key. It’s about striking that balance — loving what you do, but loving yourself enough to take a break too.

Dealing with stress

With every step up the career ladder, your responsibilities multiply. Like adding weights to your backpack on an uphill hike, each new level brings its own brand of stress. It’s more than just writing better code or learning new languages — it’s about shouldering a growing load of expectations and decisions.

When you’re just starting out, your focus might be on nailing that piece of code or learning a new technology. But as you grow, you’re not just coding. You’re leading projects, making decisions that affect not just you, but your team and sometimes the whole company. The stakes are higher, and so is the pressure.

So, how do you handle this added weight? First, recognize that it’s normal. Feeling the heat doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re pushing your limits, and that’s how you grow.

But here’s the deal: as your responsibilities increase, so should your strategies for dealing with stress. It’s like upgrading your gear as you climb higher.

Prioritization. Not everything needs your 100% energy all the time. Pick your battles. Sometimes good enough is just that — good enough.

And don’t forget the power of a mentor or a coach. Someone who’s been there, climbed that, can offer priceless advice. Or just an understanding ear.

But here’s the most important part: don’t lose sight of yourself. Keep those hobbies, those non-work passions. They’re your anchor, your safe harbor when the seas get stormy.

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