With graduation and the Capstone deadline fast approaching, I\u2019ve been having a fair number of critical conversations reflecting on my Postbacc educational journey, career history, and what goals I have for my career path moving forward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Imposter syndrome has weighed heavy on me the past few weeks along with a sense of frustration and insecurity about my own C++ deficiencies, and too much of my energy has been aimed at calming anxiety about what I deliver by the end of term and if that\u2019s \u201cenough\u201d. These feelings, quite frankly, are a nonsense-no-good-waste-of-time, and I know that, but they still well up and require some attention to quash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the flipside, this project has been an exceptional experience filled with tremendous personal growth as I tap back into my C++ knowledge and dig deeper into practical applications of topics explored in prior terms. This has allowed me to develop closer connections with other members of the engineering team and I feel a sense of pride for and ownership of the work I\u2019ve contributed to the Mahjong codebase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rollercoaster ride of feelings and experiences I\u2019ve been reflecting on place before me some important questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of my answers to these questions are in a state of flux currently. For the longest time, I\u2019ve been stubbornly working towards this goal with the idea that after a few years of getting some software engineering experience I could work towards engineering management. This is still a sensible route, but does it have to look like this? Should my path look like this? Is there a better or different way for me to forge my own trail?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After recently conversing with Brainium\u2019s People Operations Manager about my advancement goals, my greatest takeaway was to not put myself into a box. Just because I\u2019ve had this idea of \u201cChelsea Marie Hicks – Software Engineer\u201d in my mind, doesn\u2019t mean reality has to exactly match that vision and perhaps I should take a wider look at the view to see what other possibilities are presented. I\u2019ve some soul searching to do and more questions than answers (honestly, that never seems to change).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With graduation and the Capstone deadline fast approaching, I\u2019ve been having a fair number of critical conversations reflecting on my Postbacc educational journey, career history, and what goals I have for my career path moving forward. Imposter syndrome has weighed heavy on me the past few weeks along with a sense of frustration and insecurity … <\/p>\n