Hey everyone! I recently started my first job as a full-stack development intern in Brazil, and I'm currently in my third year of studying Computer Engineering. I have some knowledge of C from college, completed the Helsinki Java MOOC, and understand the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
When I was hired, my boss mentioned that they didn't expect me to know all their tools and that I was there to learn, which I appreciated. However, it seems the reality is quite different. I've noticed that I'm constantly being pushed to use various AI tools such as Gemini CLI and Copilot. Everyone in the company emphasizes that this is the norm now, relying heavily on what's been dubbed "vibe coding" and prompt engineering.
The issue I'm facing is that I feel like I'm not truly learning. Our timelines are tight, and I'm expected to deliver a lot using a complex tech stack (Laravel, Docker, TypeScript, React, Node, PHP, PostgreSQL). Because of the pressure, I don't have time to study these tools properly; I'm mostly just copying, pasting, and hoping my code works.
Honestly, I find vibe coding frustrating. I feel somewhat useless, as if I'm merely a conduit for the AI's output. If the AI fails, I struggle to debug because I've skimmed over learning the fundamentals. On top of work, I'm juggling college and trying to build a 2D game in Java in my spare time to practice my skills, but I'm just feeling drained.
For those with more experience: is this how the future of development looks? How can I evolve into a genuine software engineer while depending so much on AI tools? I want to understand the creation process better, but I'm at a loss trying to balance work demands, college pressures, and actual learning.
4 Answers
I totally get where you’re coming from. The pressure to crank out features may inhibit actual learning, but it’s still your time to figure things out. Focus on problem-solving during your internship rather than getting tied up in emotions. Embrace the tools, but don't forget to develop your understanding, even if it's hard right now.
It can be really tough as an intern, especially when companies expect so much from newbies. It’s important to communicate your career goals to your boss. Maybe they’ll understand that you need more time to learn rather than rushing through tasks. Not all companies will put that kind of pressure on interns, so don't lose hope! Every experience is a step forward, even if it feels frustrating now.
Welcome to the new norm of development! It's definitely a change and not all companies are like this one. You are learning different skills, like project coordination and feature assembly, which are still valuable, even if it feels like you're just a middleman right now. Hang in there—perhaps consider putting your free-time project on hold for a bit to focus on learning your job better.
This sounds like a rough situation. It seems you're probably in a company that relies heavily on interns for labor without much training support. It might be worth addressing how you're feeling with your boss and seeing if you can adjust your workload. Learning the fundamentals is crucial, and if they don't let you do that, it might just be a low-effort setup. Don't hesitate to seek opportunities elsewhere if it doesn't improve!
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