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Software Development Career Advice

It can be hard to find software development career advice with the politics at most companies. Who do you trust? And how do you know the advice doesn't have a hidden agenda behind it? I'll share advice here that I wish someone would have told me in my software development career. Hard-won advice to help you have a realistic mindset and healthy expectations over your career in software development. Many people think about technology, salary, and promotions when they think of their software development career. But I think it's more important to understand the dynamics of people and snags you can get into with how your expected to work. I hope this helps you stay growing in your software development career!


All Content about Software Development Career Advice

200 Software Developers Told Me What They REALLY Want
200 Software Developers Told Me What They REALLY Want

6/26/2022|15:36

I thought I knew what developers needed, but then I met over 200 people online to learn what unlocks their career. The results were surprising in some ways, and not in others….

Is There Really Such Thing As A GOOD Programmer?
Is There Really Such Thing As A GOOD Programmer?

6/14/2022|14:28

It’s tempting to compare yourself to other devs or take assessments to see how you measure up, but it’s impossible to know if you’re a good programmer!

Why Are Programmers Never HAPPY With Their Job?
Why Are Programmers Never HAPPY With Their Job?

5/11/2022|15:21

The 4 developer career desires is a concept I discovered through career coaching other people in tech positions over the past 3 years

Canceling Programmers for Mistakes? You’re Next!
Canceling Programmers for Mistakes? You’re Next!

5/4/2022|20:54

Today we’re going to talk about how canceling developers and other IT professionals for mistakes can hold you back from the career you want in software.

How To Pause A Software Project To Fix A Problem
How To Pause A Software Project To Fix A Problem

7/17/2018|8:34

Blocking multiple people to pause a software project so you can fix a problem can be hard if everyone’s focused on how much people are getting done.

Lead Software Developers Better By Letting Go!
Lead Software Developers Better By Letting Go!

7/10/2018|11:16

Over the years I’ve had to lead many software developers, and it’s become much easier since letting go of being seen as “the expert”.

How To Stop Comparing Your Career To Other Developers
How To Stop Comparing Your Career To Other Developers

6/27/2018|10:47

As you grow, it can be tempting to start comparing your career to other developers. But it’s a slippery slope that can easily send you off track.

Know When To STOP Learning And Just Write The Code!
Know When To STOP Learning And Just Write The Code!

6/2/2018|7:06

Software development draws us in with endless opportunities, but are they right for every project? There’s a time to stop learning and write code!

Is It Safe To Make Mistakes On Your Software Project?
Is It Safe To Make Mistakes On Your Software Project?

5/30/2018|18:15

At some software companies, it can be hard for people to learn from mistakes they make together on a software project.

I Got By On A Software Project With Help From My Friend
I Got By On A Software Project With Help From My Friend

5/25/2018|7:02

There’s no shame in getting help from a friend on a software project! In this episode I tell a story about how getting help was critical to my success.

Iain Lowe on Software Estimation and Agile Dogma
Iain Lowe on Software Estimation and Agile Dogma

5/19/2018|1:10:42

Iain Lowe is an experienced software developer and manager based out of Montreal, Canada who I interviewed about healthy development topics.

Healing The Rift Between Programmers And Managers
Healing The Rift Between Programmers And Managers

5/4/2018|24:19

It’s common in many companies for there to be animosity between programmers and managers. But it’s smarter to consider healing that rift.

What REALLY Gets Software Developers Promoted?
What REALLY Gets Software Developers Promoted?

4/26/2018|12:47

It can be confusing when most companies don’t make it clear how software developers can get promoted for more senior roles.

A Product Manager Is A Programmer’s Best Friend!
A Product Manager Is A Programmer’s Best Friend!

4/24/2018|28:43

Software developers are often frustrated when a product manager changes the design at the last minute. But product managers are a programmer’s best friend!

Accepting What You Can’t Change On A Software Project
Accepting What You Can’t Change On A Software Project

4/9/2018|12:56

Have you ever been confronted with accepting circumstances you couldn’t change on your software project that were really difficult?

I Can’t Stop Thinking About Programming After Work!
I Can’t Stop Thinking About Programming After Work!

3/29/2018|8:02

There’s something about software development that makes it hard to stop thinking about programming after work.

Why Do So Many Programmers Lose Hope?
Why Do So Many Programmers Lose Hope?

3/10/2018|20:26

Programmers can lose hope in just a few years in the industry if they don’t have the tools to cope with pressures unique to the job.

Why Do People Take Credit For Your Ideas?
Why Do People Take Credit For Your Ideas?

3/5/2018|20:08

Ever had an idea for something on your software project, but someone else takes the credit? This sucks, there’s no way around it.

5 Big Lies The Software Industry Tells You
5 Big Lies The Software Industry Tells You

3/2/2018|12:05

Though having a career in software development can be exciting, there are software industry lies that if you believe – can ruin your career.

Is Your Leader A Narcissist?
Is Your Leader A Narcissist?

2/20/2018|14:25

Could it be that you’re on a project with a software leader that’s a narcissist – one who criticizes everything you do?

Find The Best Software Project For Your Personality
Find The Best Software Project For Your Personality

2/19/2018|20:28

You can find the best software project for your personality if you consider a few aspects of software companies I’ve learned.

Why Are You Making Programming HARDER?
Why Are You Making Programming HARDER?

2/17/2018|17:09

I hear a common complaint that programming has gotten harder over the years. But often we do it to ourselves with how we work!

Programmer Flow State: “In The Zone” Coding
Programmer Flow State: “In The Zone” Coding

2/12/2018|17:06

Once you’ve solved programming problems easier when “in the zone” or “flow state” – it can be hard to work any other way!

New Software Project? Earn Respect From Your Team!
New Software Project? Earn Respect From Your Team!

2/10/2018|19:14

Overcome walls people can put up – and instead have them welcome your suggestions on a new software project.

“New Framework Disease” (NFD) in Software Development
“New Framework Disease” (NFD) in Software Development

2/6/2018|21:48

Technology addiction hurts your software development career if materialism makes you get caught in “new framework disease” and chase shiny objects.

What Is DevOps REALLY About? (Hint: NOT CI/CD)
What Is DevOps REALLY About? (Hint: NOT CI/CD)

2/5/2018|15:28

There’s plenty of “fake news” from the software industry, so beware of the DevOps lie. In all the confusion – just follow the money to see why.

Pull Your Software Project Out Of A Death Spiral!
Pull Your Software Project Out Of A Death Spiral!

2/4/2018|14:36

If you get the feeling your software project is in a death spiral, there are several things you should try before you give up hope!

Programming Estimation – Estimate Software Tasks With Caution
Programming Estimation – Estimate Software Tasks With Caution

2/1/2018|13:06

Programming estimation is a dangerous activity that should be approached with caution! But it doesn’t have to be so stressful.

Say NO On A Software Project – So They Will Listen!
Say NO On A Software Project – So They Will Listen!

1/31/2018|12:11

How you say no on a software project can build resentment if you don’t establish clear boundaries – and decline the request with grace.

What To Do When Your Software Tasks Will Be Late
What To Do When Your Software Tasks Will Be Late

1/30/2018|10:48

How you handle late software tasks often has far reaching implications on your career, reputation and your health.

Software Project Burnout: Is It Them Or You?
Software Project Burnout: Is It Them Or You?

1/29/2018|24:15

It’s easy to blame your company when a software project seems to require so many hours, that you suffer from software project burnout.

Can Imposter Syndrome Help Software Developers Grow?
Can Imposter Syndrome Help Software Developers Grow?

1/25/2018|23:03

Imposter syndrome is something software teams often talk negatively about, but it can actually be a sign of growth.

Cope With A Failing Software Project
Cope With A Failing Software Project

1/24/2018|35:42

We all to realize we’re on a failing software project. What you do then will have a bigger impact on your health than your reputation.

5 Ways To Cope With The ANXIETY Of Software Development!
5 Ways To Cope With The ANXIETY Of Software Development!

8/8/2017|21:25

Anxiety can cause you to feel worried that you won’t get what you want out of your software development career, and it makes people do funny things…