What if a junior dev gets too much work?

Summary

In this video, the speaker addresses the challenges faced by a junior web developer who is tasked with complex graphics programming, beyond their experience. Drawing from personal experience, the speaker shares insights on handling such overwhelming situations, emphasizing the importance of learning through tough experiences. Despite the difficulty, the speaker encourages perseverance, seeing it as a paid learning opportunity. They also suggest exploring other job options if the situation becomes untenable but urge the viewer to give it a try first, as overcoming challenges can lead to valuable skills and growth as a developer.

Takeaways

• 😀 Starting a first job as a junior developer can come with unexpected challenges, especially when asked to take on tasks beyond your expertise.
• 😀 It’s common for junior developers to face situations where they’re asked to work on complex tasks like graphics programming, even without mentorship.
• 😀 Graphics programming and game development are specialized fields that require specific skills and can be difficult for someone without prior experience.
• 😀 Even though tasks might seem overwhelming, these experiences can be seen as 'paid learning' that will help you grow professionally.
• 😀 If you feel unsupported, it’s important to recognize that some employers might not fully understand the difficulty of the tasks they assign to juniors.
• 😀 In difficult situations, it can help to look at challenges as opportunities to improve your skills, even if the experience is stressful.
• 😀 Some employers might be desperate and don’t have other options, which is why they may assign tasks that are too advanced for someone with your level of experience.
• 😀 When faced with difficult tasks, it’s important to give it your best effort and try to learn from the experience, even if it seems beyond your abilities.
• 😀 If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s always an option to explore other job opportunities while still learning from your current role.
• 😀 Regardless of how the situation turns out, you’ll gain valuable experience and insights that can contribute to your growth as a software developer.

Q & A

Why does the speaker believe graphics programming is difficult for a junior developer?

The speaker highlights that graphics programming is a specialized skill distinct from web development. It requires a different set of knowledge and experience, and taking on such tasks without mentorship is especially challenging for someone at a junior level.

What was the speaker's personal experience when they started their first job?

The speaker was placed on a complex finance-related project with no mentorship or support. They were tasked with dealing with taxation calculations in an invoice salary management system, which was extremely stressful for a junior developer.

How did the speaker cope with the lack of mentorship in their first job?

Despite the lack of mentorship, the speaker pushed through by doing their best to learn on the job. They relied on their resourcefulness, though the situation was tough and ultimately led them to seek better opportunities.

What does the speaker mean by 'paid learning'?

The speaker refers to challenging job situations as 'paid learning,' meaning that even though the tasks are difficult and stressful, they provide an opportunity to gain valuable experience and grow professionally while being compensated.

What advice does the speaker give to the junior developer struggling with graphics programming?

The speaker advises the junior developer to embrace the challenge, learn as much as possible, and see it as an opportunity for personal and professional growth. Even if the outcome isn't ideal, the experience can be valuable for future career development.

What are some potential reasons why a manager might assign challenging tasks to a junior developer?

The speaker suggests that managers might be either ignorant of the difficulty of the task for a junior developer or desperate due to a lack of options. In either case, they may not fully understand the challenges the developer is facing.

How can the junior developer approach the situation if they feel the tasks are too complex?

The speaker recommends communicating with the manager about the challenges faced. By explaining the difficulty and seeking mentorship or support, the junior developer can try to reset expectations and get help with the task.

What does the speaker mean by 'everything is always hard in the beginning'?

The speaker emphasizes that all new challenges are difficult at first, and overcoming them leads to growth. They suggest that struggling with tough tasks initially can lead to becoming a better developer in the long run.

What should the junior developer do if they feel they are underpaid for the work they're being asked to do?

If the junior developer feels they are underpaid, the speaker recommends looking for other job opportunities while continuing to work in the current role. This way, they can still gain experience and get paid for it while exploring better options.

What is the speaker’s perspective on switching jobs in challenging situations?

While the speaker acknowledges that sometimes switching jobs may be the best option, they advise giving the current job a chance first. By trying to overcome challenges and learning from them, the junior developer can gain valuable experience even if they eventually decide to move on.