Basketball πππ
π I always loved basketball, but basketball has not always loved me back. π
Even if I made the team, I often found myself as a benchwarmer πͺ, coming into the last minutes of the quarter or during those trash minutes when we were losing π.
I tell ya, it wasn't a lack of effort. I would spend countless hours practicing basketball βΉοΈββοΈ.
Free throws, layups, jump shots, you name it. Unfortunately, the dynamics of an actual game are different from practice π.
You understand π€ the game's nuances only when you are actually playing it, not from the sidelines.
Starting a new job π’
It is similar to starting a new job π’.
You could spend weeks on menial made-up tasks π¨βπ», but you can only appreciate the job if you dive headfirst into meaningful work πΌ.
It doesn't mean they just throw you in without any support π«. Starting a new job is a bit like learning to swim πββοΈ.
It would help if you had someone to guide you through the techniques and the little tricks that make it easier. But that doesn't mean you canβt start in the deeper waters right away π.
Experiencing the deep end πββοΈ
When I was a student π working as a part-time developer for a startup, I was given an old machine π» that was lying around in the office.
My first task was to set up the Linux machine. Unfortunately for me, nobody was using Linux in the office, so I didn't have anyone to ask directly about my problems setting up.
It was a struggle, but the experience taught me how to set up production servers later βοΈ.
It was a baptism of fire π₯, but I learned a lot from it.
It's not for everyone! ππ»
Of course, only some people are fit to work this way π€·ββοΈ. It might take some time for others to find their rhythm π΅, and that's completely fine.
From my experience, the more you're exposed to different tasks and challenges πͺ, the faster you'll understand your role and what's expected of you π.
It doesn't have a 100% success rate, though β. Even though you struggled and tried, you may find yourself not fitting into the job or the culture of the company π ββοΈ.
It's completely ok. π
It's better for both you and the company to figure out sooner rather than later that you don't fit π.
My advice to people starting out!
So my advice to those starting:
If you are given an opportunity to delve deep early in your career, seize it β.
Like in basketball, those first real shots at the basket π in your job can set the stage for a rewarding career ahead.
Don't be a benchwarming programmer! π₯π
Have a startup idea?
Email me about your project idea and Iβll provide you with a plan on how we can build an MVP version of it in a month.