#CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #SoftwareEngineering #LearningOpportunities
Feeling bored and stagnant at work is a common challenge many professionals face, especially after years in the same industry. As a software engineer with 7 years of experience, it’s essential to find ways to reignite your passion for learning and growing in your career. If you’re wondering what to work on in your spare time to stay engaged and challenged, here are some practical solutions to consider:
Explore Open Source Contributions
Contributing to open source projects can be a great way to learn from experienced engineers, collaborate with a community of like-minded individuals, and work on real-world products. While some may think open source projects are limited to libraries and dev tools, there are also opportunities to work on traditional SaaS products. Look for projects that align with your interests and skills, and don’t hesitate to reach out to project maintainers to get involved.
Join Online Communities and Hackathons
Online communities and hackathons provide a platform for connecting with other hackers, sharing ideas, and working on projects together. Platforms like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and Devpost offer opportunities to collaborate with developers from around the world, participate in coding challenges, and build your portfolio. Joining these communities can help you expand your network, gain new perspectives, and stay inspired to learn and grow.
Consider Interning at a Startup
Interning at a startup can be a valuable experience for software engineers looking to gain hands-on experience, work on innovative projects, and learn from seasoned professionals. Startups often offer a dynamic environment where you can contribute to various aspects of product development, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and see the impact of your work firsthand. Look for internships that align with your interests and goals, and be open to exploring new opportunities outside of your comfort zone.
Seek Mentorship and Learning Opportunities
Finding a mentor or joining a learning program can provide valuable guidance and support as you navigate your career as a software engineer. Look for experienced professionals who can offer insights, advice, and feedback on your projects, help you set goals, and challenge you to grow. Learning opportunities such as online courses, workshops, and conferences can also help you stay updated on the latest technologies, tools, and trends in the industry.
In conclusion, it’s essential to take proactive steps to keep learning and growing as a software engineer, even when feeling bored or stuck at work. By exploring open source contributions, joining online communities and hackathons, considering internships at startups, and seeking mentorship and learning opportunities, you can reignite your passion for learning and stay engaged in your career. Remember that growth is a continuous process, and embracing new challenges and experiences will help you evolve as a professional. What steps will you take to work on in your spare time? Let us know in the comments below! 🚀🌟
yeah i’m just teaching myself some more ML on the side, bored out of my mind otherwise. i’m glad i can solve stuff for people but i’m a software engineer so most of the time i’m working on similarly structured applications. i kinda wouldn’t mind doing some service desk stuff on the side tbh
This is me currently. I have access to many learning platform such as Immersive Labs which I got addicted in learning cyber security. I’m currently getting certs and learning the techs that have most job opportunity in my job market, as well as looking for opportunities to do them at work (to solve as an example on resume).
Every colleague I know who feel the same are already leaving to “greener pasture”, so I am going to do the same later this yr.
I’m in a similar boat half the time. I use the downtime to work on my AZ 104 cert.
After about 5 years at my first job, I’ve felt the same. So I found another job, while keeping the first one for occasional tasks here and there, as a side gig, if you will.
Been at the new job for two years, quit it because of terrible management. I learned new things.
Got an offer at my first to lead a new project, still working there, and enjoying every moment of it.
Moral of the story: get another job and quit your current one without burning bridges.
Check this video, I think it describes what you might feel: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTmFW1J-KLc&t=1s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTmFW1J-KLc&t=1s)
P.S in the same boat as you, also thinking on what to change, because being bored at work is pretty hard on my mental state
I think there are at least some open source projects that are more traditional applications, like Notepad++. So, that might be an option. If you like SaaS, you could provision an AWS instance and collaborate that way, which would also give you some very in-demand skills, especially if you take the certification test.
Rahhhh Minecraft Mods I’ll always recommend
What exactly are you doing at work? What is so boring for you?
Buy a text book and go through it.
Try and get a contribution to the Linux kernel pushed to main
Look for another job?
Fuck bitches get money