What I've learned from my first year as a software developer

Coming up on my first year post-graduation, I thought I would share some insights and lessons I learned from my first year as a software developer, and transitioning from a student to a full-time developer.

I initially had a huge worry that I would not meet any of the expectations of my team - because let's be honest, I was just a confused 22 year old who still mostly just looked up everything on StackOverflow. As a student, we get so used to only prioritizing how fast we can finish an assignment rather than focusing on how much we can learn from an assignment. This was a big adjustment for me. I had this mindset that there would be strict deadlines on when I should have something done, but in reality, I wasn't met with that. I learned that the team was there to help me grow and learn - not put me to the test.

One of the most important lessons I learned was the value of asking questions and seeking feedback. It’s better to ask for clarification than to make assumptions and go down the wrong path. There were numerous times when I was afraid to ask for clarification because I was worried about looking incompetent. But I learned that asking questions is a sign of strength, not weakness. It shows that you are engaged and willing to learn.

Finally, if I had to give any advice to someone like me back then, I would say trust yourself. You are capable of more than you think. I was constantly surprised by my ability to learn and adapt to new challenges. Embrace the discomfort of being a beginner and know that it’s okay to not have all the answers. The most important thing is to keep pushing yourself to be better - which sounds cliche, but it’s true.