Things I Wish I Knew as a New Grad
i'm 18 months into my career. that's not long. but it's enough to have learned some things.
if i could go back and tell new-grad me some things, here's what i'd say.
about work
1. nobody expects you to know everything you were hired for your potential, not your current knowledge. asking questions is expected and valued.
2. code in production is different from code in school readability, maintainability, and playing nice with existing systems matter as much as correctness.
3. the first year is about learning, not impact you're building foundations. big contributions come later.
4. your manager wants you to succeed they're not waiting for you to fail. they're invested in your growth.
5. feedback is a gift even when it stings. especially when it stings.
about imposter syndrome
6. everyone feels it including the people who seem most confident.
7. feeling out of depth means you're growing comfort = plateau.
8. document your wins you'll forget them. write them down.
9. compare yourself to past you, not current colleagues they've had more time. that's all.
about life
10. your job is not your identity work is important but you need other things too.
11. take your PTO burnout is real and vacation is medicine.
12. make friends outside work diversify your support network.
13. call your parents they miss you.
14. health is first sleep, exercise, food. these aren't optional.
about growth
15. read things outside your specialty cross-pollination helps.
16. write about what you learn it clarifies thinking and helps others.
17. find things to teach best way to solidify knowledge.
18. stay curious the field moves fast. curiosity keeps you current.
what i'm still learning
- how to scope projects realistically
- when to speak up vs. when to listen
- work-life balance (work in progress)
- how to navigate disagreements productively
- patience with myself
the meta-advice
everything takes longer than you think. you're further along than you feel. be patient and keep showing up.
wrote this partly for whoever reads it. partly for future me when i forget.