Tag Archives: early career

6 Ways to Negotiate Like a Pro Board Gamer

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

I have learned more about negotiation by playing board games than from taking a college course on negotiation. A lot of people are scared of negotiation. They’re afraid to ask for what they want. To me, this is crazy. Are … Continue reading →

Posted in Psychology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Best Non-Technical Books for Early Career Software Engineers

Posted on May 10, 2021 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

Some problems are not solvable by code. In my own quest for solving problems in the last 5 years, I’ve read dozens of books and applied their ideas to my own life. This list contains some of the best non-technical … Continue reading →

Posted in Software | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

8 Good Communication Habits for Early Career Software Engineers

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

Communication is a superpower. As you advance in your career, you are not limited by technical expertise, but by your ability to influence other people. You might think, “I’m bad at talking to people.” That might be true today, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Psychology, Software | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Seven things I wish I knew my first year as a real world software engineer

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

I’ve been working in the industry for five years now. I’ve written about internships and promotion, but what about the first year on the job? What do I wish I knew in my first year after college? Standard disclaimer: don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Software | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

How to Get Promoted as a Software Engineer (Even During Tough Times)

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

“Congratulations,” my manager smiled. “You’ve been promoted.” Despite the toughest job market since the Great Depression, coronavirus, working from home, two reorgs, and two different managers, I finally succeeded at getting a promotion (and a raise). Many people assume, “I’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Software | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments