Dear new developer, Justin Kan has deep experience in the startup space, including at an accelerator called Y Combinator. He gave a talk about why you should work for a startup, and why you shouldn't. Here's the transcript,, and here's a blog post based on it. If you're looking for good management, avoid startups: The … Continue reading Justin Kan on whether you should work at a startup
Month: November 2018
Making mistakes is OK
Dear new developer, One time, not too many years ago, I was using git. I had used it for some personal projects, but hadn't used it in the team setting before. We were using this git branching model. I was creating feature branches and working on them. However, often I would be working on the … Continue reading Making mistakes is OK
How to market yourself as a new software developer
Dear new developer, This post from Corey Snipes, an experienced software developer, is well worth a read. From the post: People skills help so much. It’s hard to overstate that. I am a competent software developer, but I am really good at working on a team and that has carried me to increasingly sophisticated and … Continue reading How to market yourself as a new software developer
Show gratitude
Dear new developer, I have found gratitude to be an invaluable part of my software development career. First, being grateful makes me happier. It works for others too. When I get frustrated with someone at work, or some technology that is poorly documented or doesn't do just want I want, taking a step back and … Continue reading Show gratitude
Try contracting
Dear new developer, You have a portable skillset; most every company needs software, just like everyone needs accountants. You have a "means of production" that only costs a few thousand dollars: your laptop. You are in demand (as long as you have the right skills, experience and salary expectations). Please take a chance during the … Continue reading Try contracting
Potential vs delivery
Dear new developer, Early in your career you are judged on potential. Frankly, this is because when you are young in your career, you don't have much of a track record, so there's not much else to judge you on. This means that you can take more risks early in your career. You can shift … Continue reading Potential vs delivery
Letters To A New Developer 