Stop Playing Small - The Trap of the "Junior" Mindset

I recently read this amazing blog post by Kent C. Dodds in which he raised an important question: What truly defines a "Junior" developer? Is it the amount of years he spent in the industry, the complexity of the tasks he handled, his salary, or something else?

This made me reflect on what holds many developers back and how to move beyond the junior stage. It's important to stop limiting yourself and start making real progress; not by pretending to be more skilled than you are or lying about your experience, but by rethinking your role and how you present yourself in such a fast-changing field.

Understanding the junior stage

Being a “junior” typically means you're in the early stages of your career, with limited experience and knowledge in the field. This often involves working on simpler tasks, needing more guidance and mentorship, and still learning the fundamentals of the field you’re working on.

Being a junior developer is fine, but staying stuck in that role without actively trying to progress is not. Simply waiting for time to pass, assuming that more years of experience will automatically make you a senior, is a mistake.

Technically, time matters, but doing the same thing for 10 years is very different from spending those years exploring and learning new skills.

The importance of career progression

In today's economy, staying active and up to date is very important. The job titles in demand today may not be relevant tomorrow, so it's essential to keep learning new skills or deepen your expertise in what you already know.

Career progression not only keeps you competitive but also leads to higher salaries, opportunities for leadership roles, and greater job satisfaction. By continuously advancing, you secure a better future in a rapidly changing job market.

This is also relevant for those obsessed with starting their own businesses. Success in entrepreneurship requires continuous learning and skill development, not just for financial gain, but to effectively navigate and survive in the competitive business landscape.

How to move beyond junior?

Leave now!

If you’re confident in your skills but your company still treats you as a junior, with limited responsibilities, low impact, or stagnant salary; consider leaving. A new environment can offer you the growth and opportunities you deserve.

Fake it, till you make it

Start operating at the level you aspire to. Observe what senior developers do and emulate them. Attend meetings, take on challenging projects, and strengthen your soft skills, like communication and negotiation.

Think beyond your tasks, understand team goals, and how your work contributes to the bigger picture.

Continuous Learning & Seek Feedback

Master the core technologies and tools in your field, stay updated on industry trends, and dive deeper into coding and architecture. Seek out challenging projects that stretch your abilities and regularly ask for feedback to improve and grow.

Conclusion

Moving beyond the junior stage is not about simply waiting for time to pass but about taking proactive steps to advance your career. It's essential to continually learn, seek out new challenges, and position yourself for growth.

Whether it means leaving a stagnant role, adopting the habits of more experienced developers, or constantly improving your skills, the key is to never stop progressing.

By taking charge of your career and chasing opportunities for growth, you'll not only upgrade the "junior" label but also set yourself on a path to long-term success in this fast-moving industry.