Despite my relatively short career of nearly 4 years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in various companies with vastly different approaches. Along the way, I’ve realized some things that I couldn’t have fully understood as a student. If I had known these lessons earlier, I might have avoided unnecessary stress and self-doubt. I’m sharing them here in the hope that they might help you on your journey.
1. Do Not Underestimate Documentation's Power
When I first started, I was eager to dive into coding and building features, often overlooking the importance of documentation. More often than not, this is how it looked: an error would pop up in the code, and I’d head straight to Stack Overflow, find a solution, plug it in, and move on. However, after those Stack Overflow sessions, I wasn’t gaining the knowledge or skills to handle that issue or similar issues in the future. Without careful study of the documentation, there’s no way to deeply understand the library or functionality, its strengths and weaknesses, and so on. Well-written documentation is essential for building that deeper understanding.
2. It's More Important to Know "What" to Do Rather Than "How"
A common beginner's mistake is focusing too much on learning every tool or technology. However, I’ve come to realize that it’s more important to understand what problem you’re solving than to know how to solve it. Tools and frameworks will constantly change; what’s popular today may be irrelevant tomorrow. But the ability to think critically, identify problems, and approach them logically is invaluable. Master the principles and fundamentals—these will guide your choice of tools and solutions.
3. Impostor Syndrome and How to Handle It
It’s impossible to know everything. As a student, it seemed like there was a threshold something you could cross and then you’d confidently say that you can do it all. But that’s not the case. This syndrome can be present throughout your career. When you’re amazed by the knowledge of others - like a speaker at a conference, it’s important to remember that there’s a very good chance you know something they don’t, or even something most specialists in the room don’t. Not knowing everything is normal.
4. Learn, Learn, and Learn More
The tech world evolves quickly, and staying still means falling behind. When you start your career, it might seem like getting your degree or landing your first job is the finish line. In reality, it’s just the beginning. Keep learning, whether it's new frameworks, languages, or even soft skills like communication and teamwork. Your willingness to continuously grow and adapt will be one of your greatest assets over time.
5. Never Listen to the Alarmists
Every industry has its doomsayers - people who spread panic and fear about the future. They’ll tell you that the industry is dying, that AI is coming for your job, or that you're doomed if you don’t master the latest technology. Don’t buy into it. Panic-driven thinking rarely leads to rational decisions. Stay focused on your goals, keep learning, and be adaptable. The tech industry, like all industries, has its ups and downs, but resilience and proactive thinking will help you navigate those challenges.
These are the lessons I wish someone had shared with me before I started my career. Knowing these earlier would have helped me feel more confident and better equipped to tackle the challenges of the professional world.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Top comments (2)
Thank you!
I fell victim to number 5 a few years ago that led me to stop coding. I got scared, grew imposter syndrome, and never returned. Until recently, I’m giving it another shot because ultimately, I love coding. So blocking all the naysayers is key to staying focused.