Looking for a promotion? Writing code won’t get you there. If you want to be a great engineer (and get ahead in your career), you’ll need to learn the work of real engineering. In fact — for the best engineers — writing code is a small part of their overall…

We all need to do our part — Climate change poses an existential threat to our species. What are you doing about it? As a developer, I’ve been thinking a lot about my role in the climate fight. I have some initial ideas about how developers might spend their time helping to solve global emissions. Mostly, though, I’m…

There, I said it. It’s a controversial opinion. I know. Let me be clear up-front: There are plenty of great developers who received formal credentials. There are also bad developers who taught themselves. I know that. My point isn’t about individual people. You may know counter-examples of formal/self-taught devs who…

The meme is funny because it’s partially true. Stack Overflow is an incredible resource with tons of answers. It’s amazing. Often, the answers on there are better than you would have come up with yourself. You get better code in less time. By going to the crowd for knowledge, you…

I’m sick and tired. This type of treatment isn’t right. I hate articles that complain about novice developers. They’re not kind. Nor sympathetic. The authors shame beginners. The goal seems to be making junior engineers feel like they’re lesser. But beginner coders make valuable contributions. The truth is, we all…

Don’t ignore the red flags & get out quick — “Regarding work, man — it sure is a tough first gig!” That’s putting it lightly. I mentor a developer who’s new to the field. He has excellent skills and a big desire to learn. …