Rediscovering Your Passion for Software Engineering and Development
How It Started for Me
The year was 1984, and it was right before Xmas and my Uncle Jim and his family were visiting for the holidays. Uncle Jim was always into building electronics and reverse engineering things. Come to think of it, he is probably the reason Radio Shack in the Mid-Atlantic region was in business with all of the projects he would work on at his home workshop.
Meanwhile, I am 6 years old and addicted to playing Atari Games and building any circuit board set before me. I wasn’t aware of it then, but things were about to change for me in ways I never dreamed of.
Uncle Jim had a Xmas gift for me this year that would lay the foundation of what I would base my future career on, the Apple Macintosh 128K, my first real computer.
We unpacked the box, set everything up, and I was hooked.
Revisiting Your Origin Story
Recall why you chose software engineering (see above). Was it the joy of solving complex problems, the creative aspect of coding, or the thrill of creating something out of nothing? Reflecting on what drew you to this field can provide valuable insights and remind you of your enthusiasm for creating things. Sometimes, revisiting old projects or learning paths can remind you of your journey and how far you’ve come with a new perspective. Elaborating a little bit further on how things started for me, it was the first time I realized that the computer in front of me wasn’t a static object I could use for entertainment. I remember writing a few lines of code and watching the results happen on screen. I was blown away by what is now something so simple but was a portal to new challenges back then. Instead of new games, I asked for books on programming, magazine subscriptions on computers, and how to do new things with them; I was fascinated with taking the computer apart and putting it back together. I worked my way into becoming a software engineer because I wanted to be a part of the change around me. I always dreamed of working for one very specific company and being a software engineer was the only way to get there. I did, and it was awesome.
Understanding the Burnout
The first step in reigniting your passion for software engineering is acknowledging and understanding burnout. Burnout can manifest as a lack of interest, decreased productivity, or even aversion to coding. It’s essential to recognize these signs and understand that it’s a common experience among professionals in high-pressure environments like tech. Identifying the root cause, whether repetitive tasks, projects that lack any feeling of challenge or excitement, or a toxic work environment, is crucial in addressing and overcoming burnout. For me, I didn’t really feel burnt out when I left my last job. After being away from it for a few months, I did realize how much I missed the feeling I would get when my team and I would solve an issue/were able to climb over a wall we had been hopelessly stuck behind for a week or two. There really is nothing like it in this business. I think during my time away, I have been able to rethink my workflow for my next job or project and will be able to quickly push past the repetitive nature of the work and get right to how do we fix this? How do we do it better than the competition?
Engaging with the Community
The software engineering community is active and, for the most part, very supportive individuals who share your interests and challenges. Engaging with this community can be incredibly fulfilling. Participate in forums, attend meetups or conferences, or contribute to open-source projects; these interactions offer networking opportunities to expose you to new perspectives and ideas that can make you want to stop whatever you are doing and work on your current or next project immediately. Right now, for me, it is writing about my past experiences and how they can help people stuck in a rut or just entering the workforce as an engineer. To be honest, I am always working on something else, though, and that something else always involves coding.
Continuous Learning and Innovation
Software engineering is a field driven by continuous learning and innovation. Exploring new languages, technologies, or methodologies can break the monotony and stimulate curiosity. Be it artificial intelligence, mobile app development, or cloud computing, learning something new can reignite the excitement of your early days in software development and even open your eyes to a solution to a project you are currently working on. Do not stop learning: read books (they still exist), read white papers on software applications that interest you, follow the research on new technology initiatives, and be curious about how things work.
Challenge Thy Self!
Challenges are inherent in software engineering, and while they can be frustrating, they also offer growth opportunities. Tackling complex problems or learning to use new tools can open the doors to the problem-solving passion many software engineers thrive on. Embracing these challenges, rather than shying away, can remind you of the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles and seeking out new ones as you move forward. If you find the work too easy, you are either sitting around waiting for a paycheck or not caring anymore. If this is true, see burnout above; if you don’t feel burnt out and are doing this, then you are holding back your team and yourself. That’s not cool; stop it and seek out challenges. Don’t be afraid to share that you are feeling bored with the work given to you either; any decent shop/company with good management will understand and work with you on this. Software Engineers/Developers are not cheap and are even more difficult to train, so most places, in my experience, will do what is needed to retain experienced staff.
Work-Life Balance
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance prevents burnout and your passion for software engineering. Taking breaks, pursuing hobbies outside of coding, and spending time with loved ones are important. These activities can provide much-needed time away and allow you to return to work with a fresh perspective and renewed energy. Try not to do this during a crucial time during your company's growth or if you are in the middle of a mission-critical project. You may need a break, but trust me, based on experience, all you will do when you are off is think about what you were working on, and that's not time off; it’s torment, and it will ruin the time you took off to spend with your family and just make your more miserable when you return to work.
Setting Personal and Professional Goals
Setting personal and professional goals can provide direction and motivation. Professional goals might include learning a new programming language, contributing to a significant project, or mentoring others. Personal goals might be exploring the outdoors with your family or friends, learning a new hobby, writing about your experiences, or spending more time with yourself. Achieving these goals can offer a sense of accomplishment and remind you why you love software engineering.
Exploring New Horizons
Sometimes, a change of scenery can change your mindset for the better. This could mean switching to a different industry, working on new projects, or even starting your own venture. Exploring different software engineering/development facets can introduce you to new challenges and learning opportunities, keeping your career exciting and fulfilling. One thing to note: Before starting a new venture, have at least six months, if not more, stashed away in the bank to cover your bills and emergencies. Jumping out of a plane without a parachute is always dangerous, as is quitting a job without a backup plan. This advice also applies to anything in general, as you never know when your company will cut the rope or ask you to do something you were unwilling to do.
Mentoring and Teaching Others
Sharing your knowledge and experience with others can be incredibly rewarding. Mentoring junior developers or teaching coding classes allows you to see software engineering through fresh eyes. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on your own journey and appreciate how much you’ve learned and grown. Going over things repeatedly is being viewed as a punishment by many of the younger engineers I have spoken with, and I can tell you that it really is not. Constantly reviewing the foundations leads to mastery of something, not furthering yourself up the ladder only to realize you might be afraid of heights. Speak with any Senior Engineer or Developer at your current work, and they may word it differently, but they should give you the same advice… If they don’t, stay away; they are not looking out for your best interests, only theirs.
Staying Updated with Industry Trends
Software engineering is rapidly evolving, and staying updated with the latest trends and technologies can keep your passion alive. Follow industry blogs, attend webinars, and participate in online communities. Being at the forefront of technological advancements can be exhilarating and remind you of your field's dynamic nature. A lot of this is information already mentioned above, but it's worth repeating because it is that important. Staying out of the loop for a few months can be debilitating in this industry. It’s part of the reason a recent study showed that 2 out of 5 workers in our industry feel burned out. This is why repeating the following: NEVER STOP LEARNING is important. Making this part of your weekly tasks will create that feeling of normalcy that makes things such as picking up a book to research a new subject, etc., feel less like work and more like me time.
Personal Projects and Experimentation
Working on personal projects or experimenting with new ideas can be a great way to rediscover your love for software engineering. These projects allow you to explore your interests without the constraints of client requirements or deadlines. They offer a creative outlet and a chance to work on something you’re passionate about. Even if the thing you do leads to nothing more than you learned something new, you win. That something new you learned might be used in the next project you take on and you’ll be ahead of the curve.
Rediscovering your passion for software engineering and development is a journey unique to each individual. Whether through community engagement, continuous learning, embracing challenges, or exploring new horizons, there are numerous ways to reignite your love for the field. Remember, it’s normal to feel burnt out or uninspired at times, but with the right approach, you can rediscover the joy and excitement that drew you to software engineering/development in the first place.
Okay, okay, one more time: NEVER STOP LEARNING!
Thanks to all the people reading my posts/rants. I genuinely hope I am contributing something of value to you. I will not paywall this one because I hope more people will read it without feeling they need to pay for something. In the next post, I am going to double-paywall it! I need to eat you guys! Kidding… Maybe.
As always, clap, comment, and send me your thoughts: gwitt@configr.io
Regards,
