What should I focus on next to level up as a software engineer?

I’m in a similar boat! I'm focusing on improving my JavaScript skills and using Frontend Masters for that. I'm also getting into open source by starting my own project, which is giving me a chance to learn about CI/CD and collaborating with other developers as I go. It’s been helpful for me—a bit of a mix of growth and practical experience!

Have you considered exploring system design? Building something like a URL shortener or a chat app can expose you to challenges related to load and scalability which are invaluable lessons compared to simpler CRUD apps. It’ll definitely shift your thinking towards better architecture. Also, diving into microservices using Docker could be beneficial if you haven't tried it yet.

The key is mastering the art of building things well. Focus on understanding clean architecture, test-driven development, and design patterns. These skills will elevate your projects and can set you apart in your career. I can tell you from experience—it's not just about making something work; it's about making it work well!

Here’s a focused plan: skip the certs for now and really dive deep into your backend stack. You might want to either sharpen your skills with Node/Nest or pick up Go as a secondary language. Try building some solid projects like a SaaS API with authentication and testing, or a real-time collaborative tool with presence notifications and caching. If you tackle these in a systematic way over a couple of weeks, you’ll see rapid improvement!

Definitely take a look at some online courses that can fill in any gaps you might have. Also, working on open-source projects can give you a lot of experience and exposure. It helps you understand how collaborative coding environments work, which is super valuable!

One good approach is to find an interesting project that you want to clone using your current tech stack. This will help you understand the intricacies of the tech better. Alternatively, think of a problem you’ve encountered and create a project that addresses that issue.

If you're on the job hunt, tailor your skills to match the job descriptions you’re aiming for. It's all about being able to pass those technical interviews and meet their criteria, so that should influence your next steps too!

Why not challenge yourself by building your own OAuth provider from scratch? This will deepen your understanding of security and authentication, rather than just relying on third-party solutions.