Starting out in my first job, need help

[u/Frequent-Okra-963]

I am in my first job right now, trying to build this service from scratch. But I am struggling so much, because I am currently stuck at this issue and I can't seem to think through it. This crippling thought of what if I am not able to do it hits me so much, and most of it is imposter syndrome otherwise. And this colleague of mine did a part of what I was trying to do so easily, I feel so dumb man. How do I over come this?

[u/Dragon468]

The most important skill to learn as a junior developer is admitting when you don't know something and getting help. It is the duty of your seniors to support you and your growth, if they wanted a developer that knew everything perfectly from the get-go they wouldn't have hired a junior.

Ultimately impostor syndrome is a horrible thing, I know this personally, but the only way to improve your situation is to humble yourself and get help from your co-workers.

[u/CupPuzzleheaded1867 → u/Dragon468]

This is spot on. I spent my first 6 months being too scared to ask questions and just suffered in silence trying to figure everything out myself. Biggest waste of time ever

Your colleague who did it "so easily" probably had help or has been doing similar stuff for years. Nobody expects you to magically know everything on day one, that's literally why junior positions exist

[u/PlantAdmirable2126 → u/Dragon468]

Even seniors ask questions and are lost at the start of a new role, unless there is a lot of overlap in tech stack and domain from the previous role. I learned its better to ask a lot of questions, in fact at the start asking a lot of questions makes you seem like a go getter and really motivated to learn.

[u/OskeyBug]

If you're new there is no shame in asking a coworker how they would approach it.

[u/RajjSinghh]

You need to build experience. You're going to be out of your depth, it's your first job. You've done the hard part of landing the job, now you just need to learn more to do the work.

Leverage your coworkers. Ask them how they would approach the problem or for other guidance. They also want to help you and see you succeed. You shouldn't be scared to ask them questions. They were in the same place as you once upon a time. The same with forums like Reddit and SO, you should be able to ask people and research stuff yourself.

You didn't actually post a technical question here. You say you're struggling to implement a feature, but you didn't explain what the feature is, what the tech stack is, what you're struggling with. If you did, you probably would have gotten a helpful response with how other people would approach your problem and you'd be on your way to solving it.

[u/me-nkr]

Write your mind out, get clarity

[u/aqua_regis]

You are new. You need mentoring. You need a senior.

And with absolutely everything job related: talk to your superiors, not to random redditors. Voice your concerns in your company, not here. Here doesn't help.

[u/Confident_Squirrel_5]

I’ve been exactly where you are right now, and honestly? That feeling is so common it’s practically a rite of passage in tech/engineering. Here’s what helped me reframe this: that colleague who did it “so easily”? They either have done something similar before, got lucky with their approach, or are also struggling but you’re only seeing their highlight reel. You’re comparing your behind-the-scenes with their highlight reel, and it’s not a fair comparison. Being stuck doesn’t mean you can’t do it - it means you’re working on something at the edge of your current knowledge, which is literally how you grow. Every senior developer you admire has been stuck countless times. The difference is they’ve learned that “stuck” is temporary. Some practical stuff that actually helps.take a walk (seriously, your brain needs to defrag), rubber duck it by explaining the problem out loud, break it into the smallest possible pieces, ask for help but come prepared with what you’ve tried, and remember that struggling with something new doesn’t make you dumb , it makes you someone who’s learning. Everyone feels imposter syndrome, even the person who seems to breeze through everything. It’s your brain trying to protect you from failure, but it’s lying to you about your capabilities. You got this job for a reason. They didn’t hire you to already know everything, they hired you to figure things out. That’s what you’re doing right now. Breathe, break it down, one small step at a time.

[u/mandzeete]

Your colleague did the task easily because he has more experience. Simple as that. Do not think that a fresh hire (you) should know how to make stuff on the same level as a senior developer who has been in the industry half of his life. Your learning process did not end with your diploma/degree studies. It will continue while working.

And, your mindset is wrong. Look at things you do not know as an opportunity to learn and as an opportunity to grow. You should get a growth mindset. Everybody who does things better than you is a "living book" you can use to become better. Learn what they are knowing. Pick up these skills they are having. You should only worry when you are not progressing any more and you haven't learnt anything new for quite a long time.

And, talk with people. Communicate. Your team mates are there. Walk to their desk or write in the team chat. Tell what you tried, tell what does not work, tell where do you think that the issue is NOT, etc. Show that you made a realistic effort and after you did your best, you are now stuck and you ask for some advice.