Key Learnings from My First Year as a Software Engineer

As I completed my first year working as a full-time software engineer in media.net(also have some internships experience 😅), I’ve learned several key lessons that have shaped my approach to coding, collaboration, and personal growth. Here are 13 key learnings from my journey:

1. Question Stability 🤔

Instead of “If it’s working, don’t touch it,” always ask yourself why it works. Understanding the underlying logic strengthens your problem-solving ability.

2. Simplicity Over Complexity 🛠️

Don’t over-engineer. Simple solutions are often more robust and easier to maintain.

3. Self-Review First 👀

Before pushing or sharing code, review it yourself. This helps in catching edge cases or bugs you might overlook otherwise.

4. Continuous Learning 📚

In your free time, learn something new or review others’ Merge Requests (MRs) or Pull Requests (PRs) to gain fresh perspectives.

5. Test and Monitor Your Code in Production 🚦

Once you push your code to production, it’s essential to actively test and monitor it. Don’t assume it works—verify it through metrics, logs, and real-time monitoring to ensure everything is functioning as expected.

6. Switch Up Tasks and Broaden Your Skills 🔄

If you’re feeling stagnant with repetitive tasks, ask your manager for something new from other projects. Contributing to various tech stacks and projects within your team not only diversifies your skills but also keeps the work engaging and helps you grow faster.

7. Understand Architecture & Infra 🏗️

Coding isn’t just about writing code—understanding the system architecture and infrastructure will make you a more well-rounded engineer.

8. Take Breaks When Stuck 🧘‍♂️

If a solution isn’t clicking, take a break. Stepping away often brings clarity and new ideas.

9. Be Helpful 🙌

Whether it’s to your team, juniors, or the community, being helpful fosters better relationships and a more productive environment.

10. Be Gentle and Listen 👂

Practice active listening. Respect others’ input, and avoid interrupting. It makes for a more harmonious team dynamic.

11. Stay Humble 🙏

Don’t let confidence turn into arrogance. Stay open to feedback and never stop learning.

12. Don’t Let Doubt Bring You Down 💪

There will always be people who may question your skills or methods, making you feel under-confident. Remember, you’re here because you’ve proven yourself. Trust your abilities and continue growing.

13. Embrace Failure 💡

Code breaks sometimes. It’s okay—treat it as a learning experience and use it to improve.