What Really Matters for Dev Students

Get some practical advice for beginners based on a senior developer’s 30 years of experience. These fundamentals can help root you in a career ready for change.

In this post, I share my perspective from 30 years of building systems, from MRP II in 1994 to AI-powered ecommerce solutions today. I’ve learned lessons that are worth their weight in gold. I see too many students focusing on things that don’t generate the expected impact, so I’ll be direct about what really matters.

Fundamentals Are Your Superpower

Frameworks come and go. I’ve seen so many emerge and disappear that I’ve lost count. But do you know what remains relevant? Understanding data structures, algorithms and the fundamental principles of programming.

When I started my programming career, it was with Clipper. Then VB6, JavaScript and finally C#. Each transition became easier because the fundamentals were solid. Today, I see people jumping straight into React or Angular without truly understanding JavaScript. When the framework changes (and it will change), those people get lost.

Before diving into the next trendy framework, make sure you understand data structures, algorithmic complexity, design patterns and how your language actually works. This will save you when you need to decode that impossible bug at 2 a.m.

Portfolio over Certificates

In 1997, I started building Advocati.NET, a complete management system for law firms with integrated CRM that evolved from VB6/Access to C#/ASP.NET/SQL Server. That project opened more doors for me than any certificate ever could.

Build real things. It doesn’t need to be revolutionary. A well-made CRUD with tests, CI/CD and clean code already puts you ahead of 80% of candidates. Even better: Solve a real problem, even if it’s small.

My advice: Take a problem that you or someone close to you has. Build an end-to-end solution. Real deployment, real database, real users (even if it’s just five people). This is worth infinitely more than 10 tutorials following the letter.

Specialization with Flexibility

I’m a .NET/C# specialist, but throughout my career I’ve also worked with JavaScript, TypeScript, Angular, React, and now I’m deep into AI. This flexibility allowed me to survive multiple waves of technological change.

Don’t lock yourself into a single stack. But don’t be superficial in everything either. Find your main axis and, from there, expand gradually.

Master one core area (backend, frontend, mobile) but maintain active curiosity. Learn enough about other areas to communicate well with your colleagues. This will make you nearly irreplaceable.

Areas with Real Longevity

If you want long-term stability, some areas are safer bets:

Backend and Infrastructure: There will always be a need for people who understand what happens “under the hood.” I’ve worked with Windows Server since 2003, Azure, DevOps, CI/CD. These skills never became obsolete; they just evolved and became more complex.

Security: The more digital the world becomes, the more critical security is. I took a digital security course in 2019 and still use those concepts daily.

Data and AI: I developed AI solutions back in 2000 (yes, AI isn’t new), now supercharged with generative AI. Today, with LLMs and the current boom, those who truly understand data and can integrate AI practically have a market for decades.

DevOps/SRE: The bridge between dev and operations has never been so valuable. Experience with Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions and CI/CD makes you essential.

The Myth of the 10x Developer

Forget this story if you’ve heard it, of the 10x developer. In my experience, I’ve never met a “lone genius” who delivered 10x more. I’ve met many consistent developers who, over time, generated a massive impact by writing code that others could maintain, sharing knowledge, elevating the entire team’s level and avoiding unnecessary technical debt.

Consistency and collaboration beat genius every day of the week.

AI Changes Everything (But Not How You Think)

I’m currently developing an automated platform for creating SaaS platforms, already thinking about APIs being consumed by other AIs. AI won’t replace developers, but it will replace developers who don’t know how to use AI.

Use tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT and Claude to accelerate your work. But understand what they’re doing. Review the code. Test it. AI is a multiplier, a simple tool, not a substitute for understanding.

Conclusion

• Learn solid fundamentals.
• Build real projects.
• Choose a specialization but maintain flexibility.
• Invest in areas with longevity.
• Develop soft skills.
• Be consistent, not “10x.”
• And use AI as a tool, not a crutch.

I’ve been on this journey for 30 years, and I’m still excited. If you choose this path for the right reasons, a love for solving problems, constant curiosity and the desire to build things, you’ll have an incredible career. Obviously, good compensation matters, but it shouldn’t be your main motivation.

And you? What fundamentals have saved you in your career so far?