The Real World is a Group Project

If you’re anything like me, you dreaded group projects in school. To my delight, I was able to work solo on all my coding assignments, which seemed like a blessing at the time. But in reality, it left me unprepared for one of the most critical aspects of professional development—collaboration. News flash—software development is rarely a solo endeavor. Here are a few key things I’ve learned along the way:

Seek out opportunities to work on development projects in teams.
This experience is invaluable in preparing you for the industry. Not only will you get comfortable working with other developers' code, but you’ll also learn how to write code that others can easily read, extend, and maintain. Good software isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about making your solutions accessible and sustainable for your team.

Learn version control beyond the basics.
As a solo dev, the only git commands I ever needed to know were git commit and git push. Branching was a concept I hardly touched. But in a professional, collaborative environment, Git is a lifeline. Learn about branching strategies, get practice handling merge conflicts, and push beyond the basics of version control. Git can be intimidating, but mastery comes with practice. Invest time in learning it now—It will pay off tremendously.

Networking (the social kind) matters.
Being a good developer is no doubt important, but in many cases, opportunities come down to who you know, rather than what you know. Take advantage of the networking opportunities in school. Join the clubs, attend the job fairs, and connect with peers and professionals as much as possible. Building relationships early on can open doors you didn’t even know existed. The right connection at the right time can be a game-changer.

Get comfortable asking for help.
I’ll be honest, this is still something I struggle with. Starting your first job, you’re going to feel clueless at times. The beauty of working in a team is that you have experienced colleagues who can guide you. I’ve wasted hours stuck on problems that could have been solved in minutes with a quick conversation. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of efficiency. The best developers know when to seek guidance and when to dig deeper on their own.

Final Thoughts

If I had the chance to go back and give advice to my younger self, it would be this: You don’t have to know everything. Stay curious, ask questions, and remember—everyone feels lost at some point. Growth comes with practice, and the more you learn, the more confident you’ll become. The transition from college to professional development is a journey, but with the right mindset, you'll navigate it successfully.