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Hirushi Nethmini
Hirushi Nethmini

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Seeking Guidance to Grow as a Software Engineer

I have 1 year of experience as an Associate Software Engineer and a 6-month internship at my current company. During this time, I’ve worked with Java, JSP, React, and Angular, and have experience with databases like Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server. I completed a Python course on edX and used Python for my final year research, focusing on machine learning.

To expand my skills, I’ve started two MERN stack projects to strengthen my knowledge. However, I feel uncertain about my expertise and want to build confidence in my technical abilities as I plan to transition to a new company this year.
I would love to hear from experienced developers:

  • What should I focus on to improve my skills and confidence?
  • Are there specific areas or technologies I should dive deeper into?
  • Any advice for standing out during job transitions? Thank you in advance for your valuable insights!

Top comments (2)

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drjoanneskiles profile image
Joanne Skiles • Edited

First, thank you for sharing your journey and being open about seeking growth. This is a trait all great software engineers have!

I’ve been in software engineering for 15+ years, starting in the defense industry and later transitioning through Entertainment, Health-Tech, Startups, and now FinTech, where I’m a Senior Engineering Manager.

My advice would be to focus on building projects that align with your interests—it’s one of the best ways to learn and stay motivated. For example, if you’re into Web Development, dive deeper into those skills, or if Machine Learning excites you, pick a project that heads in that direction. While doing this, consider exploring cloud providers like AWS, Azure, or GCP. Cloud experience is increasingly essential as you advance in your career, and getting familiar with it now will set you up for success.

I also highly recommend joining communities like AWS User Groups or contributing to open-source projects. These are great ways to collaborate, learn from others, and broaden your perspective. And remember, asking for help (like you’re doing here) is a superpower—never hesitate to reach out!

You’re on the right track, and I’m excited to see where your journey takes you. Keep it up!

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hirushi_nethmini_41168bb8 profile image
Hirushi Nethmini

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging response! Your advice and insights have truly inspired me, and I deeply appreciate your support in guiding my career growth.

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