Mistakes I made in my 20s as a Software Developer...
A Thread...
A Thread...
It’s OK to make mistakes.
Yes, even when it comes to your career.
Career mistakes in your 20s aren’t the end of the world.
Not that I'm encouraging you to make career mistakes but just know, if you do, you can hopefully bounce back stronger than ever...
Yes, even when it comes to your career.
Career mistakes in your 20s aren’t the end of the world.
Not that I'm encouraging you to make career mistakes but just know, if you do, you can hopefully bounce back stronger than ever...
Being a young professional can be exciting.
There’s no easy way to condition yourself as a perfect professional, nor is there a shortcut to a perfect career path.
"Learning from your mistakes does not happen automatically—it requires thinking and reflection."
There’s no easy way to condition yourself as a perfect professional, nor is there a shortcut to a perfect career path.
"Learning from your mistakes does not happen automatically—it requires thinking and reflection."
1- Failing to network early.
Networking is a major key to success in business world in part because connections are how to learn more about yourself & your skills,
And in part, because it will give you more potential career paths when it comes time to look for a new position
Networking is a major key to success in business world in part because connections are how to learn more about yourself & your skills,
And in part, because it will give you more potential career paths when it comes time to look for a new position
College juniors and seniors can leverage the power of their universities by connecting with their alumni network and professors.
New professionals can start attending networking events and meeting new people as often as possible.
The sooner you start, the better it will be...
New professionals can start attending networking events and meeting new people as often as possible.
The sooner you start, the better it will be...
2. Blame People For My Unhappiness.
As a child, you’re taken care of by others.
That may be your parents, siblings, family members, foster parents, or any other person who takes responsibility.
Hence, you assume that someone is responsible for you.
But that’s not true.
As a child, you’re taken care of by others.
That may be your parents, siblings, family members, foster parents, or any other person who takes responsibility.
Hence, you assume that someone is responsible for you.
But that’s not true.
When you grow up,
You are responsible for yourself.
So never look at others when you’re unhappy—it’s not fair to the people in your life.
Instead, accept your unhappiness, and then do something about it.
You are responsible for yourself.
So never look at others when you’re unhappy—it’s not fair to the people in your life.
Instead, accept your unhappiness, and then do something about it.
3. Not asking questions
As a new hire, I was nervous about asking questions for fear of sounding stupid.
I was afraid to ask questions that would expose my programming ignorance, and this greatly impeded my growth as a developer.
As a new hire, I was nervous about asking questions for fear of sounding stupid.
I was afraid to ask questions that would expose my programming ignorance, and this greatly impeded my growth as a developer.
Once I built a strong rapport with my team members, I began asking more questions.
Every developer starts from zero,
and while we all learn at different speeds,
We all have to go through the same process.
"It is vital to ask questions if you don’t understand."
Every developer starts from zero,
and while we all learn at different speeds,
We all have to go through the same process.
"It is vital to ask questions if you don’t understand."
4. Taking constructive criticism personally
"Constructive criticism is important to grow as a developer."
When someone gives me constructive criticism, my first instinct is to interpret this as a reflection of my personal identity; it feels as though they’re attacking who I am.
"Constructive criticism is important to grow as a developer."
When someone gives me constructive criticism, my first instinct is to interpret this as a reflection of my personal identity; it feels as though they’re attacking who I am.
Next time when someone gives you a piece of constructive criticism that you don’t believe is true, don’t immediately get defensive and shut down.
Take some time to process what they’ve just suggested and truly see whether their feedback holds some truth.
Take some time to process what they’ve just suggested and truly see whether their feedback holds some truth.
5. Comparison, Self Doubt, And Fear
It’s human nature to compare ourselves with others all the time, that’s the case in programming as well.
Some devs are good at picking up the concept very easily.
Some devs take time but slow learning is completely ok.
It’s human nature to compare ourselves with others all the time, that’s the case in programming as well.
Some devs are good at picking up the concept very easily.
Some devs take time but slow learning is completely ok.
Ask yourself…
What can I do to become a better programmer?
What are the areas I should improve on?
Identify your strength be thankful for it.
Identify your weakness and work on that by taking help from others.
What can I do to become a better programmer?
What are the areas I should improve on?
Identify your strength be thankful for it.
Identify your weakness and work on that by taking help from others.
6. Laziness in Doing Practice
There is no point to read thousand of lines of code if you don’t get your hands dirty.
Practicing actual code should never be neglected in programming.
Programming is a skill acquired by practice and example rather than from books.
-Alan Turing
There is no point to read thousand of lines of code if you don’t get your hands dirty.
Practicing actual code should never be neglected in programming.
Programming is a skill acquired by practice and example rather than from books.
-Alan Turing
8. Rushing into a job
Too many young devs prioritize the notion of getting a job above anything else in the job hunting process.
While it’s important to start getting a paycheck so you can afford living expenses.
It’s not a good idea to rush into the first job you’re offered.
Too many young devs prioritize the notion of getting a job above anything else in the job hunting process.
While it’s important to start getting a paycheck so you can afford living expenses.
It’s not a good idea to rush into the first job you’re offered.
In the end,
You’re not expected to be a perfect employee and teammate.
But having the ability to understand your flaws and learn from your mistakes will improve your job performance and set you on the road to success.
You’re not expected to be a perfect employee and teammate.
But having the ability to understand your flaws and learn from your mistakes will improve your job performance and set you on the road to success.
Thanks for reading guys...
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I have recently written a book for developer growth & shared my 11+ years of experience.
Checkout here-->gumroad.com/l/nextgendev/g…
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