5 Things I Learnt In My First 100 Days In Tech

In September, I took my next step and started my first job in tech. As of this December, I will have officially been "in" the tech industry for 100 days. Here are the 5 most important things I learnt in my first 100 days in tech.

There Is Always Something More To Learn

I can be quite a shy person at times, but this is usually only to my own detriment. Starting out in your first job in tech, don't be afraid to speak to people, be curious and ask questions. If you're starting as a junior, nobody should expect you to be an expert, so being shy and not asking questions won't get you anywhere. Ask why does it work like that? Why do we do that in this way? You are new to the team and how they work, so ask the other experienced developers. They are a great source of information, and it's a perfect way to get to know the people on your new team.

Make A Note Of Everything

In my first 100 days, I wrote down practically everything new I found out, whether that be a new principle or use of technology, or new information about the business, I wrote down just about everything I could and kept it in a notebook dedicated to work related things. This way, I have a huge knowledge base I can refer back to at any point, which can be a great resource, especially for manager meetings or performance reviews. I also keep a note of people I've met with and information about them and what we have talked about, just in case I need to refer back to anything.

Make The Most Of Opportunities (But Don't Spread Yourself Too Thin)

A great way to open up new doors in your new jobs is to get stuck in and involved with new opportunities. If you're starting as part of a programme or graduate scheme, there is bound to be oodles of activities that you could get involved with, and hopefully you will get to know exactly what is going on in your organisation and what you can partake in. I've been very lucky to have so many opportunities to get involved with activities outside of my day-job within work. However, please keep your wellbeing in mind, and stay within your capacity. You don't want to burn yourself out by spreading yourself too thin by committing to too many things inside & outside of work.

Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone

When you're starting your first job, or starting a new job at a new company, nerves are bound to be at an all time high. There will be so many opportunities to try new things, meet new people, and learn a lot about your business area and technology stack. It's easy to stay within your comfort zone and shy away from new things or situations. But you can't grow if you confine yourself to your comfort zone. I've found it so rewarding to jump on new opportunities to learn and grow, even if it might be a bit of a nerve wracking experience, like giving a presentation to a large meeting of people. Try it, you never know what might come of it.

There Is So Much Out There, You Will Find Where You Shine One Day

In my first 100 days in tech, I have gotten a glimpse into so many new concepts and topics. I've had a go at everything from DevOps, to project management, to unit testing and new coding languages, all in the space of 3 months. What I've learnt from this is that it's completely okay if you aren't quite sure what specific area within tech you want to work in yet. There are so many different job roles, areas of technology and skills you can learn that you don't have to find your dream job straight away and stick to it for the rest of your career. Explore, try new things, take opportunities to learn new tech and honestly explore what you enjoy and what motivates you.