Navigating Your Software Development Career: Key Questions
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Chapter 1: The Ongoing Journey of a Software Developer
Every software developer is continuously evolving. Regardless of whether it’s your first job or your fiftieth, there’s always room for growth.
“I haven’t quite had 50 jobs, but I’ve had a few. I can share my experience of these software engineering positions with you (I have on this blog) by distilling this down to 3 tight questions that software developers should ask themselves when they’re thinking about what they should do in terms of their career.”
The Essential Questions
Regardless of where you stand in your career, there are pivotal questions you should reflect on as a software developer.
#### Who Inspires You?
“Choosing a role model isn’t about finding ‘the perfect person.’ It’s about connecting with someone whose values and ideas resonate with you, someone from whom you can gain insights.
They don’t necessarily need to work in your organization or even in your field. If you lack a role model, it’s time to find one. You can thank me later.”
#### What Can You Learn from Your Role Model?
“My role model is taller than I am. They don’t even work as a software developer, yet I admire them.
Once you've identified your role model, contemplate the reasons for your choice. Examine what they excel at that you don’t. Strive to emulate their positive traits in ways that align with your aspirations. Knowing who you want to become will help you create a plan for self-improvement.”
#### How Will You Differentiate Yourself?
You shouldn’t aim to be an exact replica of your mentor. Instead, focus on adopting their best qualities while also identifying areas for your own growth.
Develop a strategy to bridge the gap between your current state and the level you aspire to achieve.
What Are Your Action Steps?
“Instead of merely aspiring to replicate your mentor, consider what distinguishes you and what you can evolve into.
Interestingly, not every software developer excels at coding, yet they can serve as excellent role models in aspects like communication, teamwork, or business acumen. It’s crucial to recognize when to lead and when to take a step back.”
Conclusion
These three inquiries are quite straightforward:
- Who is your role model?
- What does your role model do that you don’t?
- What changes will you implement?
If you can answer these questions, you’re already making strides toward improvement!
“Ultimately, this journey should guide you in becoming a more skilled software developer.”
About the Author
Professional Software Developer “The Secret Developer” can be found on Twitter @TheSDeveloper and regularly publishes articles through Medium.com.
The Secret Developer does not consider themselves a mentor or role model to anyone.
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