Hey everyone! I'm a soon-to-be 2025 grad with about 4 months of experience at a product-based company mainly working with PHP and some Node.js microservices. I'm feeling a bit stuck since I'm often waiting on other teams for data and have a lot of free time on my hands. I want to use this time wisely to improve my skills but I'm torn between a few options:
1. **Dive into Company Legacy Code**: I can access our main production codebase, but it's written in a confusing way. Is it worth the effort to understand it thoroughly?
2. **Pursue Certifications (MongoDB & AWS)**: Given my experience with MongoDB, should I go for Developer/Data Modeling certs, and maybe add AWS certifications? Are these valuable for junior devs today?
3. **Learn DSA & System Design**: Should I just focus on coding challenges and system design, regardless of my current tech stack?
4. **Explore AI Technologies**: Should I learn about LLMs and AI project building to stay current, even if my job is more traditional backend work?
5. **Start Content Creation**: Would documenting my coding journey on social media help with career growth, or could it end up being a distraction?
If you were in my shoes with some free time, what combination of these options would you choose?
5 Answers
Definitely consider boosting your AI skills! Understanding AI is becoming increasingly important, and it'll enhance your profile even if your current role is more focused on traditional backend development.
I think it's great that you're looking to upskill! However, don't forget to balance your time. Try to get outside, meet friends, or hang out with family. That said, reading books like 'Designing Data Intensive Applications' can provide valuable insights into key concepts that apply across technologies!
I'd advise against digging too deep into legacy code unless you plan to stay at that company for a while. It might not be worth it otherwise. Certifications can help, but don't rely solely on them. System design and algorithm practice are always useful, especially if you're considering job interviews. And regarding AI, I've changed my tune recently—it's definitely a valuable skill to pick up!
Option 1 could be valuable, but don't feel pressured to master a confusing legacy codebase right away. Remember, dealing with non-standard code happens everywhere in tech. Focus on building a personal project that excites you—this way, you’ll learn more effectively and find joy in the process!
I would skip all those options and suggest finding a personal project that sparks your interest. You'll likely learn more and enjoy the process more than you'll get from typical upskilling methods. If you can make it something that can earn you money, even better!
Agreed! AI is certainly gaining momentum, and even some basic knowledge can keep you ahead.