Becoming Senior: how to get from where you are to better
It takes time, you may or may not get there depending on all sorts of things. Build lots of projects and stuff.
TL;DR:
Thanks for coming!
So who the heck am I?
and who the heck are you?
13 Junior devs
24 Senior Devs*
* 1 Wise Guy
If you were transported back to the 1800s what would you be instead of a developer?
Dead: 4
maker: 7
Hard Science: 4
A cowboy, Duh: 2
Senior
Dead: 0
maker: 4*
Hard Science: 6
junior
* 1 Time Traveler turned textile maker
Now to the real question
What is the difference between a Senior Dev and a Junior Dev in your mind?
50% junior devs mentioned Experience.
30% of Senior devs did too
50% junior devs said knowledge.
26% of Senior devs did too
25% junior devs talked about mentoring.
21 % of Senior devs did too
For a junior dev, the work is done as soon as "it works." For a senior dev, the work continues until it works, it is tested, and it is documented.
The junior devs think about themselves and how they can make themselves more successful. Senior devs think about how to make other developers more successful through the work they do.
—Steven Foote
Senior can tie, untie, design complicated knots and calculate consequences vs junior less complicated knots and less ability to calculate consequences
—Shawn Meredith
Junior devs need hand-holding or oversight to accomplish their own tasks. They love the new shiny. Senior devs are interested in new things but are aware that there is no silver bullet, and that the benefit of a shiny new platform/tool/tech comes with a cost which is sometimes not worth paying.
—Jamison Dance
1) Experience
2) Knowledge
3) MENTORING / LEADERSHIP
4) Level of Craft
Experience
Senior: 8 yrs
Junior: 3.4 yrs
years paid
Senior: 5
Junior: 3.8
Senior: 5.7
Junior: 4.7
familiar with
written apps in
Build things. Build lots of things. Ask questions. Break stuff. Read other peoples experiences.
Blink
As My woodworking horizons slowly expanded, I designed each new project around whatever technique I wanted to learn next. My goal was to become a proficient craftsmen; design was a secondary consideration.
—Peter Korn
Knowledge
Without using the googles... what is a linked list?
Senior: 70%
Junior: 77%
Wait...
Also without the googles... what is a set?
Senior: 78%
Junior: 62%
Well...
That was close.
what about education though?
Junior: 77%
Senior: 66%
Junior: 77%
Senior: 38%
Computer Related
1 junior respondent had a sociology degree. BUt they were pursuing a CS degree currently.
13% of senior engineers with computer related degrees had graduate degrees
So...
some thoughts as someone without a CS degree
This looks like a sea change.
When the point of education becomes the production of credentials rather than the cultivation of knowledge, it forfeits the motive recognized by Aristotle: "All human beings by nature desire to know."
— Matthew B. Crawford
education is not about getting a degree. it is about gaining knowledge. A degree is one tool for getting their, but not the only tool.
If you are in school... stay there.
No matter what you need a plan.
As My woodworking horizons slowly expanded, I designed each new project around whatever technique I wanted to learn next. My goal was to become a proficient craftsmen; design was a secondary consideration.