My Tech Journey: Lessons Learned as a Junior Developer
In 2021, I graduated from university with a degree in mathematics, I realized that pursuing a career in that field was not something that interested me. Instead, I found myself drawn to website development, something I had already enjoyed even before attending university. In this article, I will share my experiences as a junior developer and the lessons I learned along the way.
Learning JavaScript and React
In 2022, I began my journey to become a web developer by learning JavaScript, followed by React. I quickly fell in love with React — everything from its name to its popularity drew me in, building all my projects on GitHub with it. However, in hindsight, I now realize that I rushed into React without fully grasping the basics of JavaScript. This made it challenging for me to learn other aspects of front-end development.
Getting a Job as a Junior Developer
In March 2023, I landed a job. However, I did not get the job based on my technical competence, as the interview process focused on non-code-related topics. Although I was excited to join the team, I struggled with impostor syndrome, worrying about how I would cope with working alongside experienced coders.
The Reality of Being a Junior Developer
During my first week on the job, I experienced significant stress and headaches. I was working in a paid internship with a clause stating that I would retain my position if I performed well. This only added to my anxiety, as I did not want to mess up and risk losing my job. However, with the help of the internet and a React course on Udemy, I slowly began to learn and gain confidence in my abilities.
Conclusion:
My journey so far has taught me a few key lessons:
Getting a job is one thing, but performing well on the job is another issue that junior developers should be prepared for.
It’s important to learn the core basics of JavaScript before moving on to any framework, as it will give you a better foundation for understanding and working with different frameworks.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek out additional resources to broaden your knowledge and skills. The internet is a great tool for finding information and courses that can help you grow as a developer.
