How do you get better with experience?

Jun 14, 2019 25 Comments

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

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 TOP 25 Comments
  • Amazon
    tro37

    Go to company page Amazon

    tro37
    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.
    Jun 14, 2019 3
  • Google / Eng
    QrJx75

    Go to company page Google Eng

     QrJx75
    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!!
    Jun 14, 2019 3
  • LinkedIn
    Humphrey G

    Go to company page LinkedIn

    Humphrey G
    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.
    Jun 14, 2019 2
  • Apple / Eng
    tWBu16

    Go to company page Apple Eng

     tWBu16
    I Read textbooks. I also challenge myself to build projects
    Jun 14, 2019 3
  • Apple
    public2.

    Go to company page Apple

    public2.
    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.
    Jun 14, 2019 1
    • OP
      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.
      Jun 14, 2019