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Discussion on: Quickfire Discussion: I'm a Junior Developer, tell me your top 3 pieces of advice.

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Frank Carr

I've been in this career for 30 years. I've done poorly with my #1 suggestion although I'm improving, OK with #2 and I've done pretty well with #3.

(1) Healthy eating and exercise habits - It's easy to develop a "programmer gut". Make sure you eat right and in moderation and take time away from the screen to exercise.

(2) Learn to tolerate BS. Don't let it rattle you when the project you just spent 6 months on is canceled, your company shuts down or other unfortunate events happen. Also, managers, other developers and project sponsors can be total jerks at times. Learn to roll with the punches because there always will be a punches, usually a lot of them. Have an exit strategy at all times just in case things go bad.

(3) Always Be Coding. Programming requires constant learning and the best way to learn is to find something new to code. Don't let yourself stagnate in a position or in a programming language.