What I wish I had known when starting my development career
Dear new developer, We all make mistakes. Yes, this is not news, but it's worth repeating. We all make mistakes. I have made them, you have made them, your boss has made them, the person you are interviewing with for the job you really really want and need has made them. The one thing about … Continue reading Mistakes Are Forgiven, Hiding Them Is Not
Dear new developer, Sometimes you just have to grind. It's easy to find yourself beaten up. Development, while not physically difficult, can be mentally and emotionally taxing. Screwups can be big. You're typically on the sharp end of the stick when it comes to building something. Sometimes you're part of a team, but often you're … Continue reading Consistency Is Key
Dear new developer, I appreciated this post which talks to people who are interested in being a developer, rather than someone who is newly a developer. I still think a lot of things apply. This especially resonated: ...programming is terrible, so learn to enjoy it. If you are “on the net” learning about what programming … Continue reading Programming Is Terrible, So Learn To Enjoy It
Dear new developer, I wrote this post years ago, but it still applies today. Ah, the arrogance of software developers. (I’m a software developer myself, so I figure I have carte blanche to take aim at the foibles of my profession.) Why, just the other day, I reviewed a legal document, and pointed out several … Continue reading Beware Of Your Arrogance
Dear new developer, This post is worth reading in full, but is advice that holds for all developers, not just folks starting out. I especially liked Fight for what you believe, but gracefully accept defeat. Understand that sometimes your ideas will be overruled. Even if you do turn out to be right, don't take revenge … Continue reading Egoless programming
Dear new developer, I remember the first month of my first job. I wasn't sure who was who, what was what or even why was why. It was hard to find tasks that I felt helped the team. I wasn't sure what words people used off-handedly meant. I'd read and re-read instructions, fearful that I … Continue reading Work through the first month of trepidation
This is a guest post from Tim Tyrrell. Enjoy. Dear new developer, New developers are making mistakes. They are making mistakes every day. As a new developer, one’s job is to recognize one’s mistakes, implement a change in behavior, and help others implement that same change when similar mistakes bubble to the surface of one’s … Continue reading Be a great developer today
Dear new developer, Every company has its warts (aka issues, aka problems). I have never met anyone who worked for the perfect company. So, go in with your eyes wide open and choose what warts your company has. You may be able to help fix some of them, but some will be permanent. One wart … Continue reading Work for a place where people care
This is a guest post from Jenn Chu. Enjoy. 'Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity, because if you're passionate about something, then you're more willing to take risks' ~Yo-Yo Ma Dear new developer, I've always taken the quote above to heart… fast-shooting myself into the named camp of 'Career Switchers` when talking about … Continue reading It will turn out mostly fine… if you have the passion
Letters To A New Developer 