How to
be a great
junior
You are still learning
In fact, if you're doing it right, you will still be learning... forever
Shoshin
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few."
Building software is all about writing code
Building software is also about not writing code
What skills do you bring to the table?
Hard(er) skills
- TDD
- BDD
- Agile
- Refactoring
- Git
Soft(er) skills
- Previous experience
- Personality
- Enthusiasm
- Adaptability
- Teamwork
You are an investment
How long will it take for you to pay off?
"Every day my mission is to find ways to help everyone else on my team do better work. I look for learning opportunities in every task and interaction, no matter how big or small."
Smashing it from day 1:
Be helpful
Make people WANT to help you
Be easy to help
Ask good questions
Give good feedback
Do useful stuff
Write tests
Write GOOD tests
If your company doesn't test
Find out why - take the lead
Write documentation
Contribute to the styleguide
No styleguide? Take the lead
Learn new tools
Learn the stuff other people can't be bothered to
DO the stuff that other people can't be bothered to
You will learn, even from the worst jobs
Follow the boy scout rule:
"Always leave the campground cleaner than you found it"
BUT
Don't be a dick
They were there first
Be respectful
Be eager
Be curious
Be useful
Read
Read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read read
Build
Build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build build