I feel like all my career I have been going from project to project and company to company without really getting better at software design or debugging or anything else. i have just hit a ceiling and I just stay there. Yes the company I work for I get to know their tech stack inside out but once I move on to a new company I get in the same bucket, new tools, new tech stack , internal processes, starting at square one. I also feel I’m not opinionated enough compared to others to push for an idea. Like there are two correct ways to design something, I would normally be okay with anyone. However I do see people who can push their idea well are generally better engineers. Do any of you face this issue? What are some steps to systematically improve this situation? Some reasons that could be responsible for this. 1. Lack of personal projects is probably one reason for this but I absolutely have zero motivation to work once I leave office. 2. I also approach a project from execution point of view in that my sole focus is on finishing it successfully. Like let’s say assembling a piece of furniture cabinet you just got. But once it’s assembled it’s just a completed project. And there is nothing that I can use to let’s say assemble a bed next except the tools. Yoe: 4.5 TC:200k
There’s nothing wrong with the way you feel. You’re execution focused. Ever heard of 5 dynamics? Explore, Excite, Examine, Execute, Evaluate. People are good at one or more of the above and it’s up to the management/organization to use those skills of engineers appropriately.
It’s a good goal to have however you are too young to think that you hit the ceiling. But overall I think you should strive to challenge yourself and try to make career moves that support this goal.
Yes. like the first commenter said, it’s probably the lack of tangible goals, that’s giving me this vague thought I have hit a ceiling. Thanks for your input.
I Read textbooks. I also challenge myself to build projects
Study. Read books. Going to work makes you better slowly
Side projects are cool, but not the answer to your problem. Seems like you lack initiative and, more importantly, technical depth. You need to retrospect and see what you would do differently next time. You need to understand business, team, and code well enough to have a strong opinion as to what to work on next. You need to take the long term view of building software. All of this sounds like it's stemming from you thinking deep enough about your situation and taking ownership of your codebase. Hopefully the motivation comes soon, otherwise you'll soon be 30 and looking back at a career that could have been so much more. Good luck!!
Wait, what?!? You’re talking about stagnation in your career as if you were working for 20 years. Then you say you have 4.5 yoe. You’re just a beginner, don’t sweat it. Most engineers can’t tell their ass from their elbow before 6-8 yoe.
Yeah, strong opinions on code before 7 yoe are probably wrong opinions.
This is a really bad generalization
You sound like you don’t really love what you do. Is that the issue? Or maybe you just don’t have the drive? Some people just cruise thru, others are like sponges and thrive on learning. And others honestly are just not happy with it and feel unmotivated.
Love is a strong word, so no I don't love what I do. But honestly i also don't think most people in tech are in tech because they love what they do. But yes I agree it might be what is preventing me from going the extra mile.
I was in the same boat, until I started my personal project. The joy that you get by making all the tech decisions and making mistakes (without any cost) and realizing your own idea is really empowering.
Good to know, I will try to get started with this.
In terms of being non opinionated , it is actually interesting that as you get more experienced you get more un opinionated, in a good way, i.e being less dogmatic and more flexible.
What goals have you set which are not just the ambiguous ‘get better’? Set real, tangible, measurable goals and work towards improving that way.
Good point. Need to write down these tangible goals first.