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🗓 27/11/2024
It’s been quite a while since I contributed to my blog. I’d like to take some time to reflect on my journey as a Software Engineer so far.
I started my full-time career as a Software Engineer in June 2021, and now, three and a half years in, I’ve worked across multiple roles and companies. In this post, I want to reflect on my experiences so far and share what I’ve learned along the way.
I’ve worked in various settings — building apps for a startup (Morrow), developing solutions for a large e-commerce retailer (Moonpig), and contributing to a fast-paced retail brand (BEAUTY BAY). Each role has provided unique challenges and learning opportunities, from navigating the startup hustle to collaborating in larger engineering teams. My journey continues at KrakenFlex as a Software Engineer, where I’m excited to apply everything I’ve learned.
While I’ve changed roles fairly quickly since graduation, I see this as a positive. Each position taught me something new: how to thrive in a startup, work in large teams, and adapt to different engineering cultures. None of these moves were meticulously planned, but they’ve all shaped who I am as an engineer today.
I remember stressing about my career direction while finishing my Computer Science degree, worried I had to have it all figured out. In hindsight, though, I stumbled into my first role — and the rest of my career just followed suit. I’ve come to realise that the journey doesn’t have to be so rigidly planned.
There’s a lot to think about in this industry — job seeking, tech tests, and interviews — and I’ll admit, it all still makes me anxious. Despite my experience, I’ve never gotten used to the job application process. I was lucky to land each role without having to mass apply, but even now, the thought of interviewing fills me with dread. Interview processes in this field are often more rigorous than the role itself, and I still get the sense I’m “not good enough.”
Imposter syndrome is something I’ve struggled with throughout my career. Even now, as I approach my new role at KrakenFlex, I still find myself doubting my abilities. But I’ve learned that it’s okay to not have everything figured out. I try to combat those feelings by trusting in my skills and the experiences I’ve accumulated so far.
I used to write regularly about my career in software engineering, but over the past couple of years, I’ve let that habit slip. This post is my attempt to get back to it — reflecting on my journey so far and sharing where I am now. It’s part of my ongoing growth as an engineer and a reminder that it’s okay to pause and reflect along the way. I can often get caught up in the day-to-day, but with a short break between my previous role and my upcoming role, I thought it would be the perfect time to jot my thoughts down. I hope to continue documenting my journey as I embark upon my career at KrakenFlex!