A personal reflection on evolving from a curious trainee to a full-stack engineer diving into artificial intelligence
The Humble Beginning
July 2020. Fresh out of university with a BSc in IT, I stepped into my first role as a Trainee Software Engineer. The world was grappling with a global pandemic, and I was grappling with my first real taste of professional software development.
// My first proper Laravel controller - probably looked something like this
<?php
class WelcomeController extends Controller
{
public function index()
{
// Mind blown that this actually worked
return view('welcome');
}
}
Those first six months were a whirlwind of discovery. Laravel, PHP, version control systems, debugging sessions that lasted hours, and the gradual realisation that software engineering is as much about problem-solving as it is about coding.
The Foundation Years: Learning by Building
January 2021 - Associate Software Engineer
The promotion to Associate Software Engineer wasn't just a title change, it was the beginning of real responsibility. I was now contributing to the entire development lifecycle, working on various e-commerce platforms and web applications.
Here's what I learnt during this phase:
Code Quality Matters
Implementing best practices wasn't just about following rules, it had measurable impact:
- 30% reduction in bugs
- Significantly improved code maintainability
- Faster debugging and feature development
Collaboration is Everything
Working with cross-functional teams taught me that the best solutions emerge from diverse perspectives. My proudest achievement? Helping improve project efficiency by 25% through collaborative problem-solving.
// The kind of React component I was writing during this period
const ProjectDashboard = () => {
const [projects, setProjects] = useState([]);
// Simple, but it worked!
useEffect(() => {
fetchProjects();
}, []);
return (
<div className="dashboard">
{projects.map(project => (
<ProjectCard key={project.id} project={project} />
))}
</div>
);
}
The Multi-Company Experience: 2022
2022 was mental. I was juggling multiple roles across different companies, each teaching me something unique:
First Company
Chrome extension development with Next.js and Laravel. First taste of browser extension architecture.
Second Company
Robust web application delivery. Learnt the importance of scalable architecture.
Third Company
Google extensions with React and Node.js. Remote work across time zones? Challenge accepted.
Each role brought different challenges:
- Different tech stacks
- Varied team dynamics
- Multiple time zones
- Diverse client requirements
The key lesson? Adaptability isn't just useful—it's essential.
The Academic Investment: Master's Journey
Starting a Master's in Computer Software Engineering whilst working full-time was ambitious, but I knew the tech landscape was shifting towards AI, and I wanted to be prepared.
The curriculum deep-dive into Machine Learning fundamentals was eye-opening:
# From basic neural networks...
import tensorflow as tf
from tensorflow import keras
model = keras.Sequential([
keras.layers.Dense(64, activation='relu'),
keras.layers.Dense(32, activation='relu'),
keras.layers.Dense(10, activation='softmax')
])
# To understanding the mathematics behind the magic
model.compile(optimizer='adam',
loss='categorical_crossentropy',
metrics=['accuracy'])
Completing the degree with Commendation in February 2025 wasn't just academic validation—it was strategic preparation for the next phase of my career.
Current State: Full-Stack Meets AI
Today, I'm combining everything I've learnt:
- Full-stack development expertise (Laravel, React, Next.js)
- Browser extension development
- Machine Learning and AI principles
- Team collaboration and project delivery
The Chrome extension we launched in 2023 represents this convergence—traditional web technologies enhanced with intelligent features.
Technical Evolution Timeline
2020: PHP, Laravel basics, Git
2021: Advanced Laravel, project architecture, team collaboration
2022: React, Next.js, Node.js, browser extensions, remote work
2023: Machine Learning, TensorFlow, AI integration
2024-2025: Advanced AI applications, intelligent web solutions
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Developers
1. Embrace the Steep Learning Curve
Those first months feeling overwhelmed? Completely normal. The key is persistence and asking questions.
2. Quality Over Quantity
Better to write maintainable code that reduces bugs than to rush through features. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
3. Soft Skills Matter as Much as Code
Communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities will differentiate you as much as technical expertise.
4. Stay Curious About Emerging Technologies
AI and ML aren't replacing traditional development—they're enhancing it. The developers who thrive will be those who embrace both.
5. Measure Your Impact
It's not just about writing code—it's about delivering value. Whether it's improving efficiency by 25% or reducing bugs by 30%, focus on outcomes.
What's Next?
The intersection of full-stack development and AI is where I believe the most exciting opportunities lie. We're moving towards a world where applications don't just respond to user input—they anticipate needs, learn from behaviour, and provide intelligent solutions.
I'm particularly excited about:
- AI-enhanced user experiences in web applications
- Intelligent automation in development workflows
- Machine learning-driven business solutions
Final Thoughts
The journey from trainee to software engineer hasn't been linear, but every detour taught me something valuable. The pandemic taught me adaptability, multiple concurrent roles taught me time management, and diving into AI taught me that continuous learning isn't optional—it's essential.
To anyone starting their own journey: be patient with yourself, stay curious, and remember that every expert was once a beginner who refused to give up.
What's been the most transformative part of your development journey? Drop a comment—I'd love to hear your story!
Follow me for more insights on full-stack development, AI integration, and career growth in tech.
Thank you,
Janith Sandaruwan.
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