Bryan Ray

The problem with creative work is that sometimes by the time people catch on to what’s valuable about what you do, you’re either a) bored to death with it, or b) dead. You can’t go looking for validation from external sources. Once you put your work into the world, you have no control over the way people will react to it.

Being a junior developer is tough. There is a ton of learning that you have to do. Especially when it comes to technology and being an effective software developer. Not only from a technical standpoint, but also on the soft skills and learning how to navigate a team environment or a companies culture.

However, focusing on the technical aspects of things and working specifically with code. It helps if you can pay attention to how you feel while working on your project - especially, when you’re getting irritated. In particular:

My best friend, Curtis Schlak, and I have been working together on-and-off for almost two decades now. He’s been an amazing mentor and friend as I’ve progressed through my career.

Somewhere along that journey, we started riffing off of each other’s resume. Over the past 15 years our resumes have had some pretty drastic changes. He would add a super cool addition to his resume. I would take that idea and incorporate it into mine with my own style and vice versa.

As I’ve progressed throughout my career, I’ve moved a bit up and down the development, leadership, and management ladder. Depending on what the company or team has needed. Sometimes we need more of a focus on management and sometimes we need more of a focus on development. The pendulum swings back and forth quite a bit.

I also realize that as you move forward in your career from junior, to senior, to architect role, and even management specific roles … managing people and working with others becomes more and more important. I truly enjoy helping other people progress their careers as well, their development skills, and just helping people navigate through difficult situations. I don’t always have the answers, but I tend to be a great listener! One of the perks of being raised with four sisters who had a lot to talk to me about, I guess.

Just some random political thoughts that I had during this whole pandemic and drama filled 2020 …

Politics for many people has essentially become a combination of religion (literally) and a lifestyle brand. The religious leaders that they follow tell them - in no uncertain terms - how to live, and that their politics are a part of that. Politics have turned into something that is moralized, and at issue absolutely everywhere.

I wanted to put together a list of things that I find to be my strengths and weaknesses. I’m continually working to improve my strengths and minimize or compliment any weaknesses that I have. It’s never easy to reflect on these things and improve upon them, but I love to figure out how I can continually make myself better! Or surround myself with others who can help me be better!