Time to grow: how many steps does a programmer's career ladder have

rabiarahi

Relax, close your eyes and imagine an IT specialist. What do you see? A guy in the semi-darkness, typing away at the keyboard and writing code? A neighbor who periodically reinstalls Windows for everyone in need on your street? Elon Musk conquering the vastness of space? There is a grain of truth in each scenario, but know that the brave new world of IT is not limited to a cramped closet, neighboring apartments and a porthole window. As in other areas, a programmer has something to strive for and where to grow. In order not to be unfounded, let's visualize the career path of a developer.
Junior
"Tell me, show me, check, I'll redo it, check it again"

This is the first step on the path to professional development. Specialists with the title of junior, as a rule, come to the company clean (=without work experience), but "knowledgeable". Therefore, in social media marketing service order to successfully pass the stage lasting a year and a half, the help of more experienced colleagues is required. The main task of a junior at the start is to connect the vast theory with the real practice of commercial programming. Then - honing skills and a smooth transition to the second level.
Middle
"You need good code? Just tell me what I should do"

If juniors boldly claim that the glass is half full, then middles realistically assess the time and complexity of the tasks set before them. These Atlanteans have several successfully completed projects behind their straightened shoulders, they can work at a measured pace and calmly go to coffee breaks.

But if you love money, you also love to master new technologies, so that in 2 years you can turn from a middle into a senior tomato.

Senior
"There is a problem - there is a solution"

This is the highest level at which a programmer is required to write code. In addition to manual work, a senior spends a lot of time at meetings, taking part in discussions of the architecture of a software product. You can stay in this position as long as you like. But you should understand that a senior may not be the last port of call in your career.
MINUTE OF WISDOM: at any level of evolutionary transformations, every IT specialist needs a review. The review is checked by everyone from everyone.
What's next?

To answer this question, you need to understand that as your career grows, so does the level of abstraction of the tasks being solved. For those who want to open up their minds, there is an opportunity to change the code to design and start creating application architecture. Sociable people will easily take the position of project manager. You can also become a master and train young padawans. Remember, the key factor influencing the pace of career development is the desire to develop.