Greetings everyone(:
Today I want to share some of the knowledge I've acquired since I have begun to program.
I'm hoping this will help some juniors and even mid-level devs who are trying to level up.
Creating software is like culture, things come and go at a rapid pace. The library you begged your manager to let you use in production today could be old news tomorrow.
As a junior, I remember sitting at my computer wondering,
well, how do I know what I should learn?
After a lot of banging my head on the wall and talks with my mentors and other peers, what I figured out was, being a good Engineer has nothing to do with creating React apps, libraries, or a cli... It's about being able to adapt to new unknowns while also finding and using the right tools to get the job done. This is the trait of a good to great engineer.
The question is not what framework should I use?, but what framework is the best fit for this project?
So if this is what it means to be an engineer, how do I practice this skill? Only one answer, build more.
Build things you have not built before. Earlier I said:
being an Engineer is not about being the best at creating React apps, libraries, or a cli
And I stand on that, BUT to work the skill of being able to adapt to new unknowns you must create new things. New apps, cli, libraries.
Think of it like this. When you're a kid and your parents teach you chores, you start by taking the trash out, then you learn to do the dishes, then its the yard, and so on. Well, why is it important to add to that load?
They aren't making you do it because they think:
we're going to have the best cleaner in the world!
They do it because to be truly disciplined you have to constantly work that discipline muscle in your mind, in ways you haven't before.
Think of being an engineer in the same way. The projects you create are not teaching you anything, its the frustration and struggles you were able to work past during the process of creating that made you better. And the more you do it the better you get.
If you want to become a better engineer, I challenge you to do this. Take the top 3 apps you use daily and for however long it takes you to build them to perfection. Always think quality instead of quantity when you work.
If you do this I can promise you you'll be well on your way to Sr engineer.
Thank you for reading and I hope this has helped you. If you know of anyone struggling with their next step, please share this with them.
P.s. Remember pressure makes diamonds, todays uncomfortable can be tomorrows easy! Problems get difficult, reach out to friends and your network for help we all go through this process, you are not alone! The greatest engineers in the world know when to ask for help!
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