I began my software engineering apprenticeship back in September, and it's been very different from what I anticipated. Coming from a customer service background where everything was closely monitored, this job feels so laid back. However, my main issue lies in the lack of support I've received. I've been working here for about seven months, and I just completed my first ticket, which apparently has numerous issues. Unfortunately, no one seems willing to explain what those issues are or help me understand. Instead, I'm being told to rely on AI, even though it was AI that helped me finish my first ticket.
At the beginning, I had an "intensive" course that lasted around 6-8 weeks, where we covered the basics of programming languages and concepts like classes, variables, APIs, HTML, CSS, and JS. However, it was all very basic and not particularly helpful for real-world scenarios. Since then, I've had very little support at work. I feel clueless about the larger concepts of coding. If someone asked me to implement single sign-on (SSO), I wouldn't even know where to begin or what resources to use.
I've tried to bring up my concerns with my manager, who just moved me to a different team and made me start learning new languages from scratch, which is incredibly overwhelming. I often get asked by new colleagues about my knowledge level, and I have to admit that it's quite basic, but I still don't receive any additional help. Is this typical in the software engineering field? Should I be worried, or is this just how it is?
5 Answers
It's key to connect with fellow apprentices. You can support each other since your skill levels will vary. If you're not in the office, consider creating a group chat to keep in touch. Plus, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed in the beginning. Just remember, being new to this field, it’s all about learning to break things down and figuring them out step by step. Use AI as a tool to help you learn, and don't compare yourself to others—that pressure is unnecessary!
Your experience echoes mine during my internship. It was so frustrating that I ended up turning down their job offer for a better chance elsewhere. But I also had friends who had a great time with supportive teams. The difference can be immense depending on the team you land in!
It's pretty common to feel lost in your first year, especially with poor onboarding. Relying on AI instead of getting a proper code review is a red flag. Make sure to ask for one-on-ones and pair programming sessions so you can get direct feedback and concrete examples. If they ignore your requests, it might be time to refresh your resume and start job hunting, since entry-level positions are tough to find right now.
I understand the hesitation to leave since this is your first non-customer-facing role. It can feel like a risk to switch jobs, but if it's detrimental to your learning, it might be worth considering. Just be careful about how you voice your concerns; you don’t want to come off as accusing them of not doing their jobs.
When I started, every time I asked for help, I got a sigh, too. Eventually, I stopped asking and just struggled through things alone. I've been in the field for a decade now, and though I still consider myself a mediocre coder, I've learned to be independent and now manage my own projects.
It's encouraging to hear that you've made it despite those early challenges. I'm wondering, how did you manage being seen as a 'shitty' coder and avoid being let go?
I totally relate to your struggle. I started off with no support too, but I found that seeking tutoring helped me immensely. It's also vital to take breaks and not beat yourself up about your pace. Additionally, integrating AI tools like CoPilot for study purposes can help enhance your understanding of the tasks at hand.
Glad to hear you took that risk! I feel pretty stuck right now since I have no previous experience or qualifications in this field. Moving on seems risky, especially when most of my peers are just as confused as I am.