Your Code Doesn't Matter (Yet)
🌀 A playbook for your first year, your new salary, and the things your manager won't tell you.
Okay, yay, you got the job! Now what?
First off, congrats! Seriously. Take a second and let that sink in. The stress, the interviews, the endless coding challenges—it's over, and you won.
Now, let's talk about what comes next. Because you're about to get a firehose of information, and it's easy to get lost.
Your First Year Goal: Be a Human Sponge
Let's be real. You're probably bouncing between feeling like a genius and wondering when security is going to tap you on the shoulder and say, "Sorry, we made a mistake." That's imposter syndrome, and it's basically part of the welcome package. Everyone feels it. When I joined my first job, I was so confused why they picked me, what they saw in me, and how I was different from others. I had a hundred questions - but on the top of my mind was what value am I gonna add?
Your only job for the first few months is to absorb everything. Be a sponge. That’s literally the easiest way to become really good at your job, and stop asking basic questions a year from now.
Your "I'm New" Card is a Superpower 👶: This is your golden ticket to ask questions that might feel "dumb." (Hint: They're not dumb, and - note that people who make you feel dumb are ones you don’t want to trust). What does that acronym mean? Why is the code written this way? Who's the best person to ask about X? Use this card relentlessly. It expires in about six months, so get your money's worth.
Find Your People 👯♂️: Look, the code is important, but the people are the cheat codes. Find that one friendly senior engineer who doesn't mind you bugging them. Figure out who understands the weird, legacy parts of the system. These relationships will save you hours of frustration. Just be genuine, offer to help where you can, and listen.
You weren't hired to know everything on day one. You were hired because you're smart and can learn. So just focus on learning—the tech, the business, and the people.
Let's Talk Money
You're about to see a number in your bank account that might make your eyes water. It's an amazing feeling. But the moves you make with your money right now are the ones that will set you up for actual freedom later.
Don't overcomplicate it. Just do these three things, in this order.
Build a "Life Happens" Fund 💰: Before you do anything else, build up an emergency fund. We're talking 3-6 months of your can't-live-without expenses in a separate high-yield savings account. This isn't your investment money; it's your "sleep-well-at-night" money for when your car inevitably breaks down or you have an unexpected expense. It's what keeps you from having to go into debt.
Get Your Free Money (aka the 401k Match) 🏦: If your company offers a 401(k) match and you're not taking it, you are literally throwing away free money. I don't care if you have to eat instant ramen for a month to figure it out—contribute at least enough to get the full match. It's the best return on investment you'll ever get.
Put It on Autopilot 🔂: Set up automatic transfers. Your paycheck hits, and boom—money goes to your savings, your 401(k), and your checking account without you lifting a finger. Automating is the secret to building wealth without thinking about it. (Bonus points if you can put some part of that paycheck in an investment account that you won’t open regularly - you can check it after 5 years and see the magic for yourself.)
Don't Let the Job Eat You Alive
Your career is a marathon, not a sprint. It's easy to get so wrapped up in work that you forget to grow as a person. Don't be that person who, five years from now, only knows how to talk about server migrations.
Find a "Personal Board of Directors" 😇: You don't need one all-knowing "mentor." That's a lot of pressure. Instead, think of it as building your own personal hype crew. Find a technical person you can ask nerdy questions, a peer at another company you can vent to, and someone a few years ahead of you who can give you perspective on what's next.
Stay Curious About Something 📆: Spend a little time each month learning something that has nothing to do with your immediate tasks. A new programming language, a design tool, public speaking—whatever. It keeps your brain flexible and reminds you that your identity is bigger than your job title.
This first year will be a ride. -there will be days you feel brilliant and days you feel like a fraud. It's all part of the process. Just focus on learning, save your money, and be a good human.
Be observant 👀,
Be curious 🧐,
and know that you got this. Seriously. 💪
That’s it for today! What are some of your own personal unwritten rules? Simply reply to this email or let me know in the comments!
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I wish you a great week!
Until next time,
Sonika