10 Lessons for 10 Years of Software
Reflections from the last decade, and lessons I would share with my past self.
My birthday is around New Year's Day, and it often triggers me to reflect on my life and evaluate how things are going. This year, I decided to write a post about what I would tell myself 10 years ago about working in Software Development. So, here are 10 lessons I've learned so far!
1. Go for the Cause
When you're choosing a company to work for or selecting projects from the ideas on your plate, what truly matters is that you care about it. If you don't care about what your company or organization does, you likely won't stay motivated to work on it for long.
Sometimes, we're forced into working on causes that don't resonate with us. When that happens, take the opportunity to learn and find ways to make your skills meaningful in that context.
2. Celebrate the Little Things
If you can't celebrate what you're working on, you're probably working on the wrong things. No matter how small the task, there's likely someone who appreciates the work—and that's worth celebrating.
3. Work with People
Software development is as much about people as it is about coding. To get things done, you need to collaborate! This could be as simple as pairing with someone to solve a problem. In university, you might manage to work in silos, but in the workplace, collaboration is essential.
The good news is, if you're at an organization where everyone cares about the mission, people will be excited to work with you, and you'll likely learn a lot from them.
4. Speak Up, No Matter Your Title
Titles are important for recognition, but they can also feel intimidating. Remember that your ideas have value, too, and you shouldn't be afraid to share them. Even if your ideas aren't perfect today, the best way to improve is by getting feedback from others.
5. Ask for Help
Returning to the theme of collaboration, it's crucial not to get stuck on a problem without asking for help. Software engineering is most effective as a team effort. Problem-solving is hard, and diverse perspectives can lead to quicker solutions.
Don't be afraid of not knowing something—asking for help is also a great way to build relationships with your peers. Often, you'll learn something valuable from everyone you talk to.
6. All Code Is Legacy
You'll often hear, "We have a lot of legacy code," which usually means the team didn't write it or doesn't understand the motivations behind it. Legacy simply means it was written in the past. By that definition, all code is legacy—but some code you understand (especially if you wrote it yourself).
The next time you label something as "legacy," ask why. Why don't you or your team understand this code? Why hasn't it been prioritized for review and understanding?
7. Sleep on It
Some of the best ideas and solutions come when you're not actively writing code or even at work. Whether you're reading or taking a shower, taking a break can provide clarity. You'll be surprised how many ideas come from approaching problems with a fresh perspective.
8. You Will Be Wrong
And that's okay. Everyone gets things wrong sometimes, and you shouldn't be punished for it. Sometimes you're required to make the best decision you could with the information available, and that means making assumptions.
If your assumptions turn out to be incorrect, reflect on them. Recognizing assumptions and distinguishing them from data is key. The more assumptions you make, the greater the risk of error—but that's part of the process.
9. Value Your Organization's Time
Everyone loves working on fun projects, but sometimes you need to put your organization's priorities first. Whether your organization is a team of 1, or a team of 1000, prioritization is essential. Fun projects can help you grow, but they may not align with your organization's values (see #1). After all, that's what your work is ultimately about.
10. Take Care of Yourself
Having things outside of work bring you joy is important to not get into a spiral of over-working and burn out. Have hobbies that are not code related -- writing, reading, or anything outdoors.
We're stuck in our offices far too long, and focusing on other hobbies can refresh your mind and give you a new perspective on your life, including your work.