10 Things I Wish I Knew as a Junior Developer

After a few years in tech, I’ve realized that most growth doesn’t come from new frameworks — it comes from mindset shifts. If you’re just starting out, here’s some advice I wish someone had drilled into me early:

You’re not competing with anyone but your past self.
Forget comparing your code to that genius on your team who breathes JavaScript. You’ll get there — and faster if you focus on consistent growth over ego.

Google is your best mentor.
Asking questions is fine, but make them good questions. Try solving things first. Seniors love helping, but they respect those who’ve clearly done their homework.

Readable > Clever.
Fancy one-liners might make you feel smart, but clear variable names and simple logic make you a great teammate. Code is for humans first, machines second.

Reviews aren’t attacks.
A pull request comment isn’t criticism — it’s collaboration. Listen, learn, and keep the good discussions going both ways.

Never fake knowing something.
“I’ll check and get back to you” will earn you way more respect than pretending you know the answer. Engineering thrives on honesty.

Think before you type.
Rushing code just to “finish it fast” often leads to rework. Taking time to plan saves you more time later than you’d imagine.

Document like someone will use it tomorrow.
Because someone will — maybe you. Nothing feels worse than debugging your own undocumented code months later.

Soft skills aren’t optional.
People remember how you made them feel, not how you formatted your code. Be kind, patient, and reliable. Those qualities get you rehired.

Run toward the scary stuff.
That weird legacy code? The new API nobody wants to touch? Take it on. Growth hides in discomfort.

Keep learning, even when your job doesn’t require it.
Your company won’t future-proof you — you have to do that yourself. Read, build side projects, and stay curious.

At the end of the day, being a great developer isn’t about knowing everything — it’s about always being willing to learn.