Confused and kinda overwhelmed with what I should focus on as a Junior Dev
I’m currently working as an intern at a startup on a TypeScript codebase (FE + BE).
When I first joined, I mostly used ChatGPT carefully trying to understand the code, typing things myself, and trying to understand while developing. Then the organization introduced a “40-line function” rule across the codebase, and eventually I had to help revamp large parts of both frontend and backend to follow it.
That’s when things started getting overwhelming.
At some point I gave in and started using Copilot agents heavily just to keep up with delivery speed. Fast forward ~6 months and now I use agents for almost everything. I still understand what the code is doing at least at a high level most of the time, but honestly I feel conflicted about it because it feels like I’m not actually “coding” anymore.
At the same time, features need to be shipped fast, and rewriting/refactoring everything manually under those constraints doesn’t feel realistic.
Another issue is time. I leave home around 8:30 AM and get back around 8:30 PM. Between commute + work, weekdays are basically gone. By the time I get home I usually just want to rest. Then during weekends I end up stuck in this cycle of scrolling through things I should learn instead of actually learning deeply.
So now I’m trying to figure out how to move forward properly as a developer instead of just becoming “good at prompting agents.”
Since I already work in a TypeScript-heavy codebase, would it make more sense to:
- practice DSA/problem solving in TypeScript to get genuinely comfortable writing/debugging code myself
- or start learning Go (I’ve been interested in it recently)
I’m also considering contributing to open source projects mainly to:
- get exposed to better engineering practices
- interact/network with actual developers
- and hopefully open up better opportunities long term
so I'm here looking for suggestions on what to do and how to do things better from experienced folks
TL;DR:
Intern at a startup working long hours on a TS codebase. Started with ChatGPT for learning, now heavily dependent on Copilot agents to keep up with delivery speed after large FE/BE refactors and strict code rules. I understand code at a high level but feel like I’m not developing strong coding ability myself. Limited time outside work. Trying to decide whether to focus on TS/DSA fundamentals, learn Go, contribute to open source, or something else entirely. (used AI to phrase things better)