My First $100 Engineering Article as a Junior Software Engineer
I’m still in awe that one of my articles has finally earned $100, although it took four months to achieve this.
This might sound like nothing. But for me, it’s a significant milestone. Imagine nearly a thousand of professionals in the software industry read an article written by a junior engineer with only 1 year of working experience, who isn’t working in any of the tech giants but originates from Malaysia, a relatively small country in Southeast Asia.
I am the most average person you could find — one who doesn’t work at MAANG, doesn’t own a $1 million startup, and still struggles with easy-level LeetCode questions. However, I really enjoy deep diving into an issue, doing the research and development work. (I guess this is what makes me an engineer).
When I published my first article on Medium 1.5 years ago, I was still a student. My goal was to use it as a learning diary. I wanted to jot down my thoughts, learn and unlearn the knowledge, refine my ideas, and share them with the world to help others. It was like sharing my personal notes with you all.
My intention has remained the same ever since.
Here are some takeaways after writing for the past 18 months:
Do not be afraid to post
Coming from the Asian culture, where we are often so afraid to make mistakes, I never anticipated myself writing and publishing content online. I wasn’t expecting any thumbs up for my first article since I didn’t have any working experience at the time, but it turned out pretty well. Despite not having a paywall on it, it boosted my confidence to continue writing. Do not underestimate the knowledge you possess. Sometimes, I question myself too — wondering if these topics are too simplistic or too niche. However, what I’ve come to tell myself is — you’ll never know if it might help someone out there who is struggling with the same topic.
Do not write for monetary gain
Write because the content is of high quality and helpful. No clickbait. Our writing motivation should be pure — delivering value to our readers. Quality content will eventually stand out and bring the rewards you deserve, whether it be earnings on Medium, recognition, or even job opportunities. Sometimes, it might even open doors to opportunities you weren’t expecting in the first place!
I am deeply thankful for every reader, every comment, and every share. This journey has been about more than just documenting my learning.
See you in the next article!
I hope these words inspire you. If I can do it, you certainly can too.
