It is not easy to land your first tech job, so you should start by congratulating yourself. It marks a new beginning for your developer career. When he got his first tech job, Macmanuel Odumeru, a Software Engineer at ParallelScore, said he felt like the luckiest man alive. He still relives that feeling today, especially when he starts to doubt himself. Now that you’ve landed your first tech job, you may encounter some challenges that your degree and online courses did not prepare you for. Based on their experience, the ParallelScore team has identified five common problems you may encounter in your first tech job and how to solve them.
Dealing with new and unfamiliar technologies
Coding and programming become real when you land your first job. In stark contrast to what or how you learned in tech boot camps or college, this is completely different. You will be exposed to new technologies and tools that you have never used before. This is the first challenge that many new developers face, and it is one that can be overcome by taking things one step at a time. Avoid attempting to absorb everything at once. To learn the tools you’re only now discovering, you can try taking online courses or speaking with your superiors in the organization that can put you through.
Feeling overwhelmed by too much information
You will likely be overwhelmed by the amount of information, whether you are switching careers to technology or are new to the workforce. In general, you are just adjusting to the environment and team. The first thing you need to understand in this circumstance is that no one will have high expectations of you at the beginning of your employment. They will allow you time to process the information you are receiving. Instead of attempting to take in all the information at once, concentrate on the parts that are pertinent to your current task and proceed slowly.
Learning how to prioritize and manage your time
As we established above, when you begin your new job, your job responsibilities may feel a little overwhelming. But if you learn how to manage your time and set priorities, you can get through it. Try making a list of all your projects and estimating how long they will take, then prioritize them in accordance with the team’s objective.
Adjusting to the remote work life
As a result of the widespread adoption of remote work since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, there is a good chance that you will find yourself working from home. Even though working from home may be your ideal situation, there are drawbacks. Working remotely can present a number of difficulties, one of which is the absence of in-person interactions and bonds with your coworkers. It is best to look for collaborative opportunities where you can share and learn from one another. You’re in luck if you work for a company like ParallelScore that designs enjoyable and engaging team-building exercises.
Dealing with impostor syndrome
At some point in their lives, almost everyone experiences impostor syndrome. Therefore, whether you are a seasoned developer or a novice, you might occasionally experience self-doubt. If this ever happens to you, you might want to remind yourself that you don’t have to be an expert on everything. Concentrate on your abilities and schedule time to learn what you don’t know.
Final Thoughts
Your first job or first project as a developer can be enjoyable if you put your mind to it and take things one step at a time. As you become accustomed to the organization’s culture, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification when necessary. We will conclude with a quotation from Edward Cocker: “Learn avidly. Question repeatedly what you have learned. Analyze it carefully. Then put what you have learned into practice intelligently.”
