I expected a picture of a robot. Instead, I got a lesson on mentorship.
We all use AI now. For most of us developers, it’s basically just a fancy Stack Overflow that talks back. You paste an error message, grab the fix, and move on.
But lately, I’ve been leaning on it for way more than just bug fixes. I use it to plan my career roadmap, break down complex .NET concepts, and honestly, just to vent when my code isn't compiling.
So, out of pure curiosity, I decided to test it. I didn't give it any fancy prompt engineering. I just asked:
"Create a photo based on how I treat you."
I was expecting something generic—maybe a guy typing at a computer, or a robot shaking hands with a human. You know, the usual stock photo stuff.
Instead, it gave me this:
I wasn't expecting this vibe.
Look at the details. It didn’t make me a "master" commanding a machine. It made us look like... partners.
It captured exactly how I feel about my work right now. There’s the glowing "Roadmap to Success"—which is literally what I work on every single night. There’s the focus. But mostly, there’s this sense of a "high-five."
It realized that I don't treat it like a vending machine. I treat it like a Senior Engineer.
The "Senior Engineer" Mindset
This image made me realize something important about how we use these tools.
When I started my internship, I used to just ask: "Fix this code." The result? The code got fixed, but I didn't learn anything.
Now, I talk to it differently. I say things like:
- "I want to work at Microsoft one day. Explain this algorithm to me like I’m preparing for that interview."
- "I just solved 30 JS problems today! What should I focus on next?"
- "Don't just give me the code—tell me WHY this approach is better."
Because I treat it with that level of respect—and because I share my genuine goals with it—it stopped acting like a bot and started acting like a mentor.
The Takeaway
If you’re just using AI to write your boilerplate code, you’re missing the point.
The real power unlocks when you stop trying to automate your job and start trying to upgrade your brain. Treat the AI like a Co-Pilot who wants you to win. Share your wins, ask for the "why," and tell it where you want to go.
According to this image, if you put in the effort, the AI is ready to high-five you right back.
I’m Sandip, a .NET Developer Intern documenting my journey to the top. Thanks for reading.
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Note: This article was originally published on Medium.
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