How to Handle Feeling Slow in Your First Tech Job?

I totally get this! I started as a junior as well and even now, years into my career, I sometimes feel pressure about my pace. Honestly, it’s usually just self-imposed pressure. Just because I think, ‘oh, Dan could fix this in a heartbeat’ doesn’t mean I should be hard on myself. Unless your boss tells you to speed up, it’s okay to take your time and focus on proving your value in your own way. Reflecting on your progress is key—just compare yourself to who you were yesterday!

Remember, speed isn’t everything! What matters more is having clear goals for your development. Make sure your objectives are aligned with your manager. A great strategy is the T-shaped model: become an expert in one area while gaining broader skills in others. This way, you can become the go-to person for a specific topic while also expanding your engineering abilities.

Feeling slow in your first tech job is totally normal! As a junior, you're at the beginning of your journey, so it's expected to have a learning curve. A good approach is to try to work independently for a bit, but if you’re stuck for a couple of hours, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Be open during your standup meetings and mention any obstacles you're facing. Also, setting up regular one-on-ones with your manager can be really helpful—bring up your concerns there and seek feedback.