Brutally Honest Advice for Young Engineers

8 Lessons You Won’t Learn in School

Weak engineers try to prove they’re smart.
Strong ones just build things that work.

That’s the truth no one tells you when you're starting out.

You don’t need another motivational poster. You need a plan that actually works. So here’s a brutal, no-BS guide to becoming a great engineer.

1. Being good isn’t enough

If there’s one guy who can solve problems better, faster, or cheaper than you?
You’re replaceable.

Your degree doesn’t matter. Your GPA doesn’t matter.

What matters is the value you bring and how fast you grow it.

You are not owed anything. You must become useful.

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2. Build value, then give it away

Don’t chase status.

Build skill.
Fix things others avoid.
Ship things others fear.

And then?
Help others with it.

Mentor. Share knowledge. Be reliable.

Real confidence comes from giving, not taking.

High-value engineers don’t tell people they’re high-value. They show it.

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3. Choose the right game

Most young engineers play short games:

• Look smart in meetings

• Learn just enough to pass

• Get praise for busywork

The best ones play the long game:

• Get strong at fundamentals

• Learn how systems break

• Get mentored by the best

The short game feels good.
The long game wins.

If it compounds slowly, it’s probably worth doing.

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4. Watch your ego

If you think you’re too good for a task, you’re not.

Your ego is the fastest way to stall your growth.

Do the grunt work.
Do it well.
Do it without whining.

Then get better work.

You don’t get promoted for being brilliant. You get promoted for being trusted.

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5. Learn what school didn’t teach you

No one cares how good your code is if you can’t:

• Communicate clearly

• Handle feedback

• Admit you’re wrong

Want to become a lead?
Learn emotional control. Learn how to talk to people. Learn how to earn trust.

Human skills are hard skills in disguise.

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6. Stop waiting for permission

You won’t get a trophy for trying.
You won’t get picked just because you’re talented.

You get ahead by acting like you already belong.

Own more than your job title.
Volunteer for what matters.
Be the person people rely on.

Nobody's coming to save you. Lead anyway.

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7. Eliminate what weakens you

Complain less. Learn more.
Compare less. Build more.

Stop looking for shortcuts.

You don’t need another productivity app.
You need better focus.

Stop performing. Start producing.

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8. Patience compounds

Most engineers give up too early.

They chase dopamine.
Switch jobs.
Rebuild their portfolio every 6 months.

But real growth looks boring.
It’s quiet. It’s slow. It’s uncomfortable.

Show up. Keep showing up. Then win.

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Final Thought

You’ll doubt yourself.
You’ll feel behind.
You’ll wonder if you’re cut out for this.

That’s normal.

Just keep building.

And one day, without even realizing it, you’ll become someone who can build anything.

And that’s enough.