Always Be Learning (The Fundamentals)

One last thing once you get the first software job-- the change of pace in the industry takes a while to adapt to .

For an example that afflicts web developers in particular, google “Javascript Fatigue”. However, what you’ll find is that trends tend to come up hard and fast, but most don’t stick.

If you’re a developer, the core data structures (lists, stacks, graphs, etc.), the most common algorithms/patterns, and good OOP design patterns have been around forever, and most new ideas are just re-implementations with slight tweaks.

Similarly, if you’re in engineering management-- building relationships, understanding the competitive landscape, and talking to your reports are things that will always be useful and never really go away.

I make this point because landing your second software job will be less about "does this person have experience" and more about "what does this person bring to the table with their experience".

With all that said, though software technology is getting a lot of buzz at the moment, there are numerous industries and professions that are just as enjoyable and meaningful to be in.

Hope this helps someone break in this year. Being a developer is an awesome blessing, and I encourage everyone to try it out and see if they like it.