From some of the effective ways to stay ahead of AI-driven changes to why it’s often beneficial to learn the basics of cybersecurity, Yevhen’s seasoned perspective can help beginner and junior developers hone their skills. The core message? Software engineering is as much about creativity as it is a technical discipline, and choosing the right environment, collaborating with supportive peers, and preserving your mental well-being are key factors in unlocking your potential.

1. Sorting by More Than Salary: Why Passion Often Outweighs Paychecks

The Temptation of the Salary Filter

In an age where salary comparisons are one click away, it’s common for new developers to open job sites, sort by highest-paying positions, and pursue whichever language or technology pays well. While financial stability is undeniably important—especially if you have responsibilities, loans, or bills to pay—Yevhen suggests that chasing money alone can sometimes lead to disillusionment. “Early in my career, I saw peers jump into high-paying roles in specialized technology, only to feel stuck or unfulfilled six months in,” he recalls. If the work doesn’t resonate with your interests or values, the pay may seem less appealing over time.

Aligning Work With Personal Interests

Instead, Yevhen advises focusing on technologies and domains that spark genuine excitement. Perhaps you’re fascinated by how data is analyzed for healthcare solutions, or you love the idea of building the next big platform for online education. When you work on projects that match your inclinations, you’ll often push yourself to learn more, innovate, and stay motivated—qualities that can improve your performance and future earnings.

Domains vs. Technologies

When you’re new to software development, it can be overwhelming to decide among front-end, back-end, full-stack, data science, mobile apps, DevOps, cybersecurity, AI, and more. Moreover, each of these can be further specialized by domain—finance, healthcare, education, gaming, and beyond. Yevhen emphasizes that you should consider both what you’re coding (the technology) and why you’re coding it (the domain). Understanding the “why” can provide context for your work and help motivate you when the coding grind feels intense.

2. Work-Life Balance: The Hustle That Doesn’t Hurt

Healthy Rhythms and Routines

Work-life balance doesn’t mean avoiding hard work; it means setting boundaries so you can recover, maintain physical and mental health, and return to problems with fresh energy. Whether you schedule workouts, maintain a social life, or just carve out time for hobbies unrelated to coding, these “breaks” can often make you a more creative problem solver. “I’ve found that the ideal ideas often strike me when I’m not actively looking at code.”

The Myth of Perfection

Software development is an iterative process, and mistakes are often inevitable—especially when you’re learning. Yevhen encourages newcomers to accept that bugs, errors, and even catastrophic app crashes are part of the journey. “The moment you internalize that failing is a normal part of discovery, you free yourself to try ideas that might just be groundbreaking,” he says.

3. The AI Conundrum: Staying Relevant as Automation Grows

The Rise of AI in Development

From code-autocomplete tools to advanced platforms that can build entire applications from templates, AI-driven automation is reshaping the developer landscape. Many junior programmers worry that these tools could eventually make human developers obsolete. Yevhen, however, views AI more as an evolving partner than a competitor. “AI can speed up the mundane parts of coding, offering suggestions or generating boilerplate code,” he explains. “That often frees humans to focus on more creative and complex problem-solving.”

Cultivating Uniquely Human Skills

To remain relevant, consider cultivating the capabilities AI tools lack—empathy, strong communication, domain knowledge, ethical reasoning, and the ability to tackle ambiguous problems. Humans can evaluate trade-offs and infuse empathy into the solution. Emphasizing these higher-level, holistic skills is one way to stay in high demand.

4. Touch Typing, Low-Level Knowledge

Touch Typing: A Basic Efficiency Hack

Beginning developers sometimes underestimate the impact of proficient typing skills. Being able to type quickly and accurately might sound trivial, but it can often influence your workflow. “When you’re deeply immersed in coding,” Yevhen explains, “the speed at which you can convert your thoughts into text can help keep you in the zone.”

Going as Low-Level as Possible

In an industry flooded with high-level frameworks and libraries, it’s tempting to rely on abstractions without understanding their underpinnings. Yevhen recommends periodically diving deeper—learning about how the operating system manages memory, how compilers optimize code, or how network protocols work at the packet level. This foundational knowledge can make debugging and optimizing software much easier. “Without an understanding of the lower layers, you’re often guessing at solutions in the dark,” he points out.

5. The Importance of the First Job or Internship

Defining the Trajectory

Your first job or internship can play a significant role in shaping your future path in tech. You’ll absorb processes, cultures, and technical approaches that might become your baseline for what “normal” looks like in development. “If you land in a supportive environment that encourages learning and experimentation, that sets you on a strong course,” Yevhen explains. Conversely, a stifling or toxic work culture could sour your perspective and hamper your growth.

Research and Self-Reflection

When seeking that crucial first gig, don’t settle for the first offer if it doesn’t feel right. Investigate a company’s culture, tech stack, and mentorship opportunities. Ask current employees for honest feedback. Reflect on whether the company’s domain and values align with your interests. “It’s tempting to jump into any job to gain experience, but it’s also an investment of your most formative professional years,” Yevhen says.

A Final Encouragement

If there’s one overarching piece of advice Yevhen would emphasize to every beginner, it’s this: embrace the uniqueness of your own path. In an industry as vast and constantly evolving as technology, there’s room for many different interests, working styles, and ambitions. The beauty lies in carving out a niche that reflects you—your passions, your strengths, and your vision for the future.

Published by Drake M.