Overview

• Before you start
• Onboarding
• Planning your project
• Getting feedback
• Hitting your stride
• Wrapping up

Before You Start

Gather Information

• List technologies you'll encounter
• Research company's tech stack
• Connect with your manager/mentor

Before You Start

Identify Gaps

• Focus on new languages/frameworks
• Target unfamiliar concepts
• Don't try to learn everything

Before You Start

Prepare

• Read core documentation
• Build small practice projects
• Research the domain

Onboarding: Day 1

• Meet your team and manager
• Set up development environment
• Learn company tools
• Take detailed notes

Onboarding: Week 1

• Explore the codebase
• Shadow an experienced teammate
• Submit a small change
• Schedule one-on-ones

Planning Your Project

Communication

• Regular check-ins with mentor
• Don't disappear for days
• Ask questions early

Planning Your Project

Alignment & Big Picture

• Define success criteria
• Understand stakeholder needs
• Know why your project matters
• Identify constraints

Planning Your Project

Break It Down

• Create manageable chunks
• Identify dependencies
• Get help with estimations

Planning Your Project

Document & Scope

• Record decisions and alternatives
• List open questions
• Be realistic about timelines
• Small and complete > large and unfinished

Getting Feedback

Be Proactive

• State your goals clearly
• Ask for feedback by week 2
• Weekly feedback check-ins

Getting Feedback

Ask Better Questions

• Be specific in your requests
• "How was my design presentation?"
• "Is there a better debugging approach?"

Getting Feedback

Handle Criticism Well

• Self-evaluate first
• Don't get defensive
• Thank people for honesty
• Ask for clarification

Getting Feedback

Apply Feedback Visibly

• Show you're listening
• Implement suggestions quickly
• Don't repeat mistakes
• Reference feedback in your work

Hitting Your Stride

Signs of Good Progress

• Solid project understanding
• Codebase familiarity
• Independent problem-solving
• Efficient workflow

Hitting Your Stride

Maintain Momentum

• Structure your day
• Minimize context switching
• Identify and resolve blockers
• Work on multiple tasks

Hitting Your Stride

Beyond Your Project

• Attend tech talks
• Explore other teams' work
• Build your network
• Use all available resources

Wrapping Up

Plan Your Transition

• Review status with manager (2-3 weeks before end)
• Prioritize remaining tasks
• Create handoff plan

Wrapping Up

Documentation

• Update design docs
• Create/update READMEs
• Document deployment process
• Prepare troubleshooting guides

Wrapping Up

Final Steps

• Deliver concise presentation
• Focus on business impact
• Highlight your learnings
• Request recommendations

Key Takeaways

• Communicate proactively
• Seek and apply feedback
• Break down complex work
• Document thoroughly
• End with a strong handoff

Thank You!

Questions?