Hey everyone,
I recently graduated with a degree in Computer Science where I mainly learned C# for Game Development using Unity, along with some JavaScript. I just landed my first Junior Developer job, which isn't in Game Development, and I'm feeling overwhelmed. My team uses a variety of concepts and tools like PowerShell, Python, and frameworks like Node and .NET that I've never encountered before. It feels like they expect me to already know these technologies, even though it wasn't mentioned in the job listing or my resume. I'm starting to doubt my abilities and want to strengthen my skills to fit in better.
I've done some courses on sites like Codecademy but applying that knowledge in a real-world context is tough. I know I should work on my own projects, but often it feels like I'm just copying from tutorials rather than creating anything from scratch.
So, I'm looking for advice on how to improve my skills and maybe impress my coworkers. I understand the basics such as data types, loops, methods, and OOP, and I can read and understand code, but I'm struggling with writing my own code. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Most companies provide an onboarding process for new developers, especially juniors. Be upfront with your project managers about what you know and what you need help with. A good team will appreciate your honesty and will point you to the right resources to help you learn the necessary tools.
It sounds like you’re dealing with some classic imposter syndrome, which a lot of new devs face. Your employer likely expects you to put in the effort to learn, and that includes picking up new tools on your own. Maybe start experimenting with PowerShell, .NET, and Node.js in your free time. It’s all about getting your hands dirty and practicing!
But how do you get started without just copy-pasting from tutorials? That’s what I struggle with!