What did I learn after entering into corporate world

When I first started my corporate job, I felt overwhelmed, but the lessons I learned were invaluable. Now, I want to share those learnings with you so everyone can benefit from them.

1. Emotional Intelligence is Crucial
   You'll meet both good and difficult people in the workplace. Developing patience and emotional intelligence will help you navigate these interactions effectively.

2. Never Show Yourself as Weak
   f you don’t know something, don’t feel guilty or ashamed. Keep learning and improving, but don’t present yourself as weak—confidence is key.

3. Think Outside the Box & Be Curious
   Ask as many relevant questions as possible. Even if you feel your question is dumb, ask it anyway—it shows engagement and a willingness to learn.

4. Real-World Projects Are Different from Learning Projects
   The projects you build while self-learning are completely different from those in a corporate environment. Real-world projects will challenge you and teach you a lot. I still remember learning about API Integration for the first time at my job!

5. Showcase Your Work
   Don’t just build something and keep it to yourself. Share your progress, get feedback, and highlight your contributions. If you don’t showcase your work, someone else will take the credit.

6. Demonstrate Your Willingness to Learn
   Tell your team and seniors that you are eager to learn. Expressing interest in growth opportunities can open doors for you.

7. Learn from Smarter People Instead of Competing
   You’ll always find people who are more experienced or skilled than you. Instead of competing, observe how they work, write code, and solve problems.

8. Embrace Challenges & New Technologies
   Software engineering is all about problem-solving. Don’t be afraid of new challenges—every challenge teaches you something valuable.

9. Don’t Let Work Stress Overwhelm You
   Deadlines and pressure are part of the job, but stressing over them will only make things worse. Stay calm, focus, and manage your workload efficiently.

10. Take Breaks & Avoid Burnout
    Work-life balance is crucial. Overworking yourself will only lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Take breaks when needed.

11. Time Management is a Game Changer
    Successful people manage their time well. Prioritize tasks, plan your day, and be efficient with your time.

12. You Can’t Master Everything
    You don’t need to know every detail about a technology to succeed. No one knows everything—even experts continuously learn.

13. Reading Code is as Important as Writing It
    You’ll spend most of your time fixing existing code rather than writing new code. Learn to read and understand others’ code—it’s a critical skill.

14. Trust the Process
    Everything will start making sense at the right time. Keep going, and don’t rush your learning journey.

15. Adaptability is Key
    Software engineering often requires working with multiple technologies. Be open to learning and unlearning things as needed.

16. Continuous Improvement is the Secret to Growth
    The tech industry evolves daily. Stay updated, keep improving your skills, and put in consistent effort—you’ll stay ahead of the competition.

17. Have a 'Can-Do' Attitude
    When assigned a new task, respond with "I’ll try my best" instead of doubting yourself. A positive mindset can take you far.

18. Learn to Say No When Necessary
    If you can’t do something, it’s okay to say no. Recognize your strengths and weaknesses, and don’t overcommit yourself.

19. Be Proud of Your Achievements
    It may not seem fair, but those who highlight their contributions get noticed. Don’t hesitate to mention your achievements—it matters in the corporate world.

20. Never skip your prayers
    Try your best not to skip any prayer due to workload, travel, or other commitments.

21. These Skills Are Essential
    You should be good at problem-solving (not referring to DSA questions, but real-world issues like solving client problems). You must also be a good storyteller. Communication skills are the most underrated aspect of software engineering—if you can speak fluent English, it will open many doors for you.

Conclusion

Starting a corporate job can be overwhelming, but every experience is a learning opportunity. The key takeaways? Be confident, stay curious, manage stress, showcase your work, and continuously improve yourself. If I had known these things earlier, my transition into the corporate world would have been much smoother.

Well, that’s it from my side. Follow me for more such articles.

Stay connected - Rumaisa Naveed