Ask HN: What to Learn?

#1

Post by workinman » Tue, Nov 02, 2021, 1:15 PM UTC

I'm early in my software career(24y/o) still and have a good amount of free time. I'm unsure where to start with bettering my career. I know the basics of programming(data structures) transfer to almost any job. So I'll likely continue with that in Leetcode. But what else should I be doing? Focus on getting better at technologies I already know? Learning/exploring new skills? Focus on current job skills and hope they transfer to the next job? I know there isn't a definitive answer but wondering what some of you found success in early in your career. Thanks

Re: Ask HN: What to Learn?

#2

Post by sylvain_kerkour » Tue, Nov 02, 2021, 1:21 PM UTC

I would start with reverse engineering!

Reverse engineering (whether it be web apps, mobile apps or games) gives super powers to those who master it. As nowadays everything is digital and more and more controls are put in place by the monopolies, knowing how to break and modify digital things is primordial.

Re: Ask HN: What to Learn?

#3

Post by sebg » Tue, Nov 02, 2021, 1:25 PM UTC

You could try working backwards. Take a look at the hiring posts from this and several months back. See what types of jobs / positions / companies take your fancy.

Then figure out what technologies / techniques / background information you need to know to get those roles and work at those companies.

Then learn that.

Let your interest in the broader goal/scope/role drive what you learn.

Note that you can also do this with a hobby / free time. If you want to learn some technologies outside of your work, you can start picking up things to try that way as well.

Re: Ask HN: What to Learn?

#4

Post by workinman » Tue, Nov 02, 2021, 1:33 PM UTC

sebg wrote: post #3

You could try working backwards. Take a look at the hiring posts from this and several months back. See what types of jobs / positions / companies take your fancy. Then figure out what technologies / techniques / background information you need to know to get those roles and work at those companies. Then learn that. Let your interest in the broader goal/scope/role drive what you learn. Note that you can also do this…

Yeah I was trying to refer to outside work as long as it doesn't feel overwhelming. Thanks for the advice!

Re: Ask HN: What to Learn?

#5

Post by workinman » Tue, Nov 02, 2021, 1:36 PM UTC

sylvain_kerkour wrote: post #2

I would start with reverse engineering! Reverse engineering (whether it be web apps, mobile apps or games) gives super powers to those who master it. As nowadays everything is digital and more and more controls are put in place by the monopolies, knowing how to break and modify digital things is primordial.

Yeah that makes sense. Thanks for the advice!

Re: Ask HN: What to Learn?

#6

Post by thcipriani » Tue, Nov 02, 2021, 1:53 PM UTC

If the goal is to better your career, then you should think about two things: interviewing for new roles and advancing in your role.

Leetcode-type problems are only part of the interview process. System design interviews are pretty common -- developing a deep understanding of things like SQL, document stores, CAP theorem, parallel programming: all helpful.

To advance in your role, it's useful to quantify the value of your work. Data analysis is helpful here. Writing is an undervalued skill for advancing your career as well.