You are responsible for your career. No one else is.

This is a guest post from Rowell Belen. Enjoy.

Dear New Developer,

What I am about to say may be seen as controversial and somewhat unpopular, but I believe it is important. You are responsible for your career. No one else is.

It doesn’t matter if you have a great boss or work at a top company. If you don’t take control of your career, no one else will.

The organization doesn’t empower you. You empower yourself. The organization doesn’t invest in you. You invest in yourself. The organization doesn’t foster your career growth. You foster your own career growth. The organization has its priorities, and they most likely don’t revolve around you or your career. That’s not a bad thing. It just is what it is.

You are responsible for your career. No one else is.

It may be tempting to blame others when things don’t go your way, but ultimately, it’s up to you to make the most of your situation and career. There are a lot of factors outside of your control, but there are also many things within your power. The onus is on you to be proactive about your career. It is up to you to identify opportunities and take advantage of them. Don’t wait for the organization to do these things for you. Most organizations likely won’t. And even if they do, it will be too little too late.

You are responsible for your career. No one else is.

The best way to ensure a successful and fulfilling career is to take ownership of it. Set your own goals and priorities, and then take action to achieve them. Stay current with the latest trends, and level up your skills so you can stay ahead of the curve. Don’t wait for someone else to do these things for you. Instead, embrace the challenge and responsibility that comes with being in charge of your own career. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

Sincerely,

Rowell

Originally published here.

Rowell is an experienced software engineer and manager with 15+ years of experience designing, architecting, and developing resilient software applications and leading technical teams. He has a proven track record of building complete products and shipping mission-critical software in diverse startup and enterprise environments. He lives in and works from his home in Erie, Colorado. Outside of work, he devotes his time to his family. He loves startups, serverless, basketball, hiking, dogs, and #dadlife.