Hey Rob! I have a few questions related to this incredible article once more.....I'd really like to know about your first year as a developer in an office setting.
Did you feel overwhelmed by the amount of things you saw, had to learn etc?
Was it an environment in which asking alot of questions about things you don't know to your was acceptable or you were expected to know how to do everything their way right out of the gate? I ask because there seems to be pressure to do everything right in Japan.
Do you remember how your first ever week went? What did you do and how did you feel? I worry that even after I self-teach myself just as you did, I will feel like a huge imposter when someone hires me.
Thank you for your time! Really looking forward to your answers.
Not at all. I went in with the following mentality:
I told the truth in my inverviews about everything. They should have an idea of what my skill level is and roughly what I'd need to do to get up to speed. I just took it one thing at a time and tried to take notes whenever I could.
Ask. Always ask. Japan definitely has cultural guides on "The right way to do things", but fortunately for people new to working here software engineering isn't one of them.
Oh yeah. I spent 3 days + getting set up because the documentation was completely out of date. I spent a bunch of time in the beginning playing the game we were selling, because if you don't know the game how can you comment on design decisions? It was pretty awesome.
That being said, my first day on the job I was told that "I don't know why the interviewer said you don't need C++, because you definitely do, ASAP."
But they were super chill about me taking time at work to learn it.
Very, very few jobs actually expect you to be productive in the first few days. Especially if you're brand new to programming!
I hope this answered all your questions. It's probably easier to catch me on my Twitter if you have one - those notifications go to my phone so I see them sooner than my Dev.to comments!
Thank you once again for your detailed reply!! This was extremely useful and really makes me feel less anxious about getting that first job. I will make a twitter account just for you, Rob. Its totally worth it.
Hey Rob! I have a few questions related to this incredible article once more.....I'd really like to know about your first year as a developer in an office setting.
Did you feel overwhelmed by the amount of things you saw, had to learn etc?
Was it an environment in which asking alot of questions about things you don't know to your was acceptable or you were expected to know how to do everything their way right out of the gate? I ask because there seems to be pressure to do everything right in Japan.
Do you remember how your first ever week went? What did you do and how did you feel? I worry that even after I self-teach myself just as you did, I will feel like a huge imposter when someone hires me.
Thank you for your time! Really looking forward to your answers.
Ask. Always ask. Japan definitely has cultural guides on "The right way to do things", but fortunately for people new to working here software engineering isn't one of them.
Oh yeah. I spent 3 days + getting set up because the documentation was completely out of date. I spent a bunch of time in the beginning playing the game we were selling, because if you don't know the game how can you comment on design decisions? It was pretty awesome.
That being said, my first day on the job I was told that "I don't know why the interviewer said you don't need C++, because you definitely do, ASAP."
But they were super chill about me taking time at work to learn it.
Very, very few jobs actually expect you to be productive in the first few days. Especially if you're brand new to programming!
I hope this answered all your questions. It's probably easier to catch me on my Twitter if you have one - those notifications go to my phone so I see them sooner than my Dev.to comments!
Thank you once again for your detailed reply!! This was extremely useful and really makes me feel less anxious about getting that first job. I will make a twitter account just for you, Rob. Its totally worth it.
Thanks again and have a good day!
Of course! I'm glad I could help. :D