What can you expect from a career as a developer?
✅ Constant variety
✅ Continuous growth
✅ Sense of accomplishment
But don’t take it from a non-developer. In this Employee Q&A, three Makeway developers tell us what they love about their job.
We asked:
What do you find satisfying about your career as a developer?
Robbie Lund, Developer
Lack of boredom. Almost every day is something different from the day before, I actually have to think about how to solve whatever problem I’m working on. And when the boredom does strike, there is plenty more to learn.
On completion of a build, there’s something ‘tangible’ I can share with people. It’s nice to see what you worked on contribute to something others can see. Other jobs were very internal and my only sense of accomplishment was getting another spreadsheet to cross lines off of.
Probably the most satisfying thing is when someone asks what I do for work. I’ve started saying “I make the internet.” I used to say web developer, but that would lead to like 12 more questions about what that meant. People seem to catch on pretty quickly now and usually ask if they’ve seen any sites that I’ve had my hands on.
“The most satisfying thing is when someone asks what I do for work. I’ve started saying ‘I make the internet.'” – Robbie
Buffy Esslinger, Developer
What I’ve found out about development is that there are definitely highs and lows. You may spend a good chunk of your day feeling like a complete moron but then suddenly everything aligns, your code does what you want, and you are on top of the world. Those moments are what I find most satisfying about being a developer. Just like the iconic Kate Bush, I will also be ‘running up that hill’. Only I’m just chasing that sweet, sweet hit of dopamine you get from making something work properly.
Being a developer also means that you will likely be in a perpetual state of evolution. There’s always more to learn which can mean there will be more struggles, but also more of that wonderful feeling of having figured something out. I think as developers, we live in a constant cycle of “How do I make this work?”, “Why isn’t this working?”, “What am I missing?”, then “Oh, yay it works!” If you’re able to push through the challenges, the rewards can definitely make up for all the time spent banging your head against your monitor.
“I think as developers, we live in a constant cycle of ‘How do I make this work?’, ‘Why isn’t this working?’, ‘What am I missing?’, then ‘Oh, yay it works!'” – Buffy
Kate Coleman, Developer + Process Coordinator
Development technology advances quickly, so the developer needs to advance with it. I derive a lot of satisfaction from the persistent improvement to my skills and knowledge that I gain simply from occupying this field. I also enjoy developing internal tools that improve efficiency, and there have been more opportunities for that as I’ve grown as a developer.
Our WordPress starter theme is a great example where the dev team’s combined experience has coalesced into something really versatile and unique to us. Everyone has contributed something to its features and design in one way or another. And it’s still evolving as we learn more. In that way, it acts as a marker of our growth as a team.
“I derive a lot of satisfaction from the persistent improvement to my skills and knowledge that I gain simply from occupying this field.”
– Kate
If you’re thinking about pursuing a career as a developer, there’s a lot to be excited about. One thing you can be sure of: you’ll never be twiddling your thumbs.
For more insights on the ever-changing landscape, check out our previous Developer Q&A: Evolving Tech.
Are you a qualified developer looking for a new position? Seeking an internship? Take a look at our careers page or reach out directly to [email protected].
