I can build apps, but I don't feel like a real software engineer
I feel completely lost as a developer and could really use some guidance.
I'm a Flutter developer from a tier-3 city in India with about 2 years of professional experience. I've built multiple apps, worked on client projects, fixed bugs, added features, and shipped products. On paper, it sounds decent.
But the more I look at job descriptions and developer discussions online, the more I feel like I know nothing.
Most of my experience has been in very small companies. We didn't really have the kind of engineering culture I hear people talk about. No complex system design discussions, no large-scale architecture, no strong code review culture, no senior engineers mentoring juniors, no multiple teams working on the same codebase. Sometimes even basic processes were missing.
As a result, I feel like I've learned how to make apps work, but not necessarily how software engineering works in bigger companies.
My dream is to eventually work for an international company. I know the competition is insane. I know there are developers far better than me. I'm not saying I deserve those opportunities today.
I just want to become good enough to have a chance.
The problem is that I'm overwhelmed by information.
Every day I see different advice:
Learn DSA, Learn System Design,Learn Native Android, Learn iOS, Learn Backend, Learn Cloud, Learn AI, Learn DevOps, build SaaS products,Contribute to Open Source
At this point I genuinely don't know what matters most.
If you were in my position and had the next 12-18 months to improve, what would you focus on?
What skills separate a Flutter developer who works in a small local company from one who can compete internationally?
What projects would you build?
How do you use AI in your daily workflow without becoming dependent on it?
And for those who work at companies with 5-6 interview rounds, how did you build enough confidence to even sit in those interviews?
Maybe I'm dreaming too big. But I'd rather try and fail than spend the next few years wondering "what if?"
Any honest advice would be appreciated.