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RailsConf 2019 - What I learned my first year as a full-time programmer by Hilary Stohs Krause

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If you’re a junior developer who’s ever wondered if joining tech was a terrible idea, this is the talk for you!

I was equally exhilarated and terrified to start my first job in tech. The road to success is often zigzaggy, and my view as to whether it was worth it - and whether I would make it - varied from one day to the next. Four years later, those fears have been dispelled, as have several key misconceptions I had about tech (and being a programmer). In this talk, we’ll explore them together (plus a few badass Rails tricks to help you level up).

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In her talk "What I Learned My First Year as a Full-Time Programmer" presented at RailsConf 2019, Hilary Stohs-Krause shares insights gained from her initial experiences in the tech industry, aiming to reassure and guide junior developers. The presentation begins by emphasizing that programmers are not the only important players in tech, challenging the myth of the 'rockstar programmer'. This notion is discussed alongside a study from the Harvard Business Review, suggesting that overconfident 'superstar' workers can actually hinder productivity and morale within teams, ultimately causing a net loss for companies.

She encourages collaboration over competition, asserting the importance of a supportive work environment, and that success is often the product of teamwork and diverse roles within tech companies.

Key points include:  
- The value of continuous learning: Stohs-Krause emphasizes learning from peers across various roles, including project managers and QA testers, as essential for growth.  
- Contributions beyond coding: She discusses the significance of documentation, code reviews, and testing, as well as the importance of recognizing and valuing all contributions, not just those that involve writing code.  
- Understanding users: The speaker highlights the need to consider diverse user backgrounds and experiences in tech products, citing examples of software failures stemming from a lack of inclusivity.  
- Handling frustration and seeking help: Stohs-Krause provides strategies for managing feelings of frustration in coding, such as reframing challenges, going for walks, or switching to paper to work through problems.  
- Celebrating personal growth: Keeping a journal of successes and experiences can help counter feelings of imposter syndrome and provide a tangible record of professional development.  
- Importance of finding and using one's voice in the workplace: She urges attendees to be authentic and to advocate for improvements, contributing to a more inclusive environment.

Throughout her talk, Stohs-Krause integrates light-hearted examples from Rails and encourages junior developers to embrace their unique experiences and perspectives within the industry. By the end of her talk, she reassures newcomers that they will succeed and find support within the tech community.

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