Stage 8 · Lesson 7 of 7
Looking back on year one
Near your first anniversary, read your from the beginning. Then write a one-page look back: what you shipped, what you learned, the feedback that changed how you work, and where you still struggle. Compare it with your goals and your .
Share the useful parts as input when you set next year's . The page shows how far you have come, which is the best answer to . It also becomes the start of a stronger resume and your next plan. From here, the mid-level to senior track takes over.
Common trapletting the anniversary pass unnoticed and drifting into year two without a plan.
A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 2 cheat sheet entries come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Start with· follow one of these
- GitHub repoFreePath to Senior Engineer Handbook
Jordan Cutler · Intermediate
A free, practical guide to growing from junior through mid-level, with the habits reviewers look for
- BookPaidThe Software Engineer's Guidebook
Gergely Orosz · Intermediate · About $30 to $40 depending on format
Gergely Orosz on the early career years: reviews, promotions, pay and switching jobs
Keep handy
Also worth your time
- Soft Skills EngineeringGo deeper
A free podcast answering listener questions about exactly these first-job dilemmas