[PRIMO Tech-a-Break]: A Junior Software Engineer’s Guide to "Less Ego, More Skill"

Hello everyone! Lately, I’ve had the chance to interview many Interns and Junior Developers. Today, I want to share some insights with those stepping into the world of Software Engineering or those dreaming of joining this field. Welcome to a world where everything changes every 6 months!

The most common question I get after an interview is: "What should I improve on?" or "What else do I need to learn to get better?" The answer is simpler than you might think. Here are the 3 pillars of a Growth Mindset for every coder.

1. Drop the Ego, Speed Up Your Learning

In the world of Coding, a true expert isn't someone who knows everything, but someone who isn't afraid to admit they "don't know" and is always ready to learn.

• Don't be afraid to ask: Struggling with the same problem for hours without progress is a waste of team resources. If you're stuck for more than 30 minutes, try asking a senior or a teammate. Asking doesn't mean you're not capable; it shows you care about moving the project forward.

• Be an "Empty Cup": The tech world is vast and deep. Saying, "I don't know this yet, could you please guide me?" opens doors for experts to share their knowledge with you. Don't assume what you know is the best way, because everything changes rapidly.

• Code Reviews are Shortcuts: When your code gets criticized or corrected, don't take it personally. See it as "constructive feedback." Every comment from your teammates is a valuable lesson that will make you write better, cleaner code tomorrow.

2. Coding Fundamentals are Everything

New Frameworks and Libraries are like fashion—they come and go. But what makes you a long-term survivor is a rock-solid foundation.

• Data Structure: You don't need to write god-level algorithms on day one, but you must understand when to use an Array, a Map, or a Set. Choosing the right tool for the job is the first step toward becoming a Senior Developer.

• Logic Over Syntax: Programming languages change, but problem-solving logic is universal. Master the logic and think in steps (Pseudocode) before you start typing.

• Git is Your Best Friend: Make using Git a habit—Branching, Committing, and Pull Requests. In the real world, we work as a team, and professional version control is non-negotiable.

3. Turn "Dreams" into "Habits"

• The Art of Search & AI: Skill is often measured by how you find answers. Practice Prompt Engineering and search strategies. To get a good answer, you must first break down and understand the problem clearly.

• Documentation is King: Don't just rely on YouTube tutorials. Learn to read the official documentation. It gives you a deeper understanding and keeps you one step ahead of the crowd.

• Clean Code & Naming: Naming variables and functions clearly is more important than writing short code. For example, isUserAuthenticated is always better than isAuth because it ensures your team (and your future self) can actually read it.

• Don't Repeat Yourself (DRY): If you find yourself copying and pasting the same block of code more than three times, stop! Turn it into a Function or a Component.

This career path is a marathon, not a 100-meter sprint. Don't pressure yourself to know everything in a single day. Just keep an open mind, maintain a strong foundation, and let experience fill in the gaps over time.

Keep fighting! If you have any thoughts or experiences to share, feel free to let us know!