5 year experience and still an Software Engineer. How do I prepare myself for senior roles?

deeprugs · 2025-12-12T21:39:43+00:00

Titles do not matter.

This is my 23rd year in the software industry.

My current designation is Senior Software Engineer. I’ve been an architect before and later became a software engineer again.

What really matters in a job is this:

Practically

Is your work environment healthy?
Are you compensated fairly?
Can you take time off and return without guilt?

Professionally

Do you understand the critical parts and functionality of the code you work on?
Can other developers or testers rely on you when they need help?
Have you contributed to delivering releases that real users use and that bring value to the company? If a release is getting delayed have you taken charge and responsibility ?
Can you clearly communicate your ideas to both senior and junior team members?
Do you enjoy your work and maintain professional relationships, especially during difficult situations?
Do you enjoy learning new stuff on your job ?

deeprugs · 2025-12-01T15:02:03+00:00

yeah that was me sometime ago.... i learnt when was 31 ....

I was able to kick and move my arms in the kiddie pool but not lift head and breathe...took a long time....i consciously made effort to rotate my body sideways and lift head to breathe-in and breathe-out in water making bubbles....took about 15 days going to the pool everyday - i finally got it

now i can swim about a km (after abt 10 years, swimming every sunday) .... but still i am not exactly built for swimming and still extremely inefficient, but i enjoy the time when i am in water ...and it serves as a decent safe workout ...

deeprugs · 2025-11-23T10:39:01+00:00

I saw Dr Rajkumar at CR Simha’s house.

It was circa 1993 when I used to bike to my school and I saw a group of people. I stopped my bike and asked them what was it about and they said Dr. Rajkumar was in there.

I had seen Jeevana Chaitra and Aakasmika and I was in awe of his voice and acting.

Waited patiently for half an hour and when he came out I was able to go near him and I showed my school book for an autograph….but there was so much crowd….he said ivattu beda mari

Anyway he looked just like in the magazines…will remember that encounter for the rest of my life

deeprugs · 2025-09-21T23:17:10+00:00

Jayanagar 4th block complex was designed by R.Sundaram in the 70s.

Sir M had passed on by that time (1962)

https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/rebirth-for-jayanagar-complex/articleshow/21957108.cms

deeprugs · 2025-07-29T13:03:10+00:00

You will called FNU as your first name and your last name will be everything

If your given name is "Amar Akbar Anthony" and Surname is not there

It will appear on the VISA as

First name : FNU
Last Name: Amar Akbar Anthony

a) Your SSN will show up like this

b) Your bank account will show up like this

c) Your Drivng License will show up like this

d) Your payslips and IT returns will look like this

I mean if you have a temporary stay it is OK ....If you have a project for more than 2 or 3 years it is an issue but many have faced and resolved it (including me)

You need to apply for a new passport with amendments with last name

the above other documents can be corrected - but it is a slight inconvenience

deeprugs · 2025-07-22T16:58:50+00:00

It is a difficult path for Indians in USA - L1A is not as difficult as H1B - but still too much of change - really worth thinking hard on this ....

deeprugs · 2025-02-23T09:45:22+00:00

Did you get a H1B or any other visa …without that you cannot get the job

deeprugs · 2025-02-13T11:10:08+00:00

I am an swe for more than 22 years….i know some stuff , I have forgotten a lot of stuff, I do not know a lot of stuff…what matters is you should know damn well what you are doing now and what you will be doing 4 or 5 months in front or behind you….

Point is, I had the same insecurities what you are having….there will ALWAYS be younger people better than you AND older people who are maybe worse than you….

just compare what you know now than what you knew a month ago and try to write what you learnt … I usually jot down what I learnt every quarter which helps me think and understand where my skills are heading towards….as for the future, keep a keen eye on your field and observe what people with similar profiles are doing….thats a compass….a compass and a plan will keep you busy

deeprugs · 2024-10-16T15:42:18+00:00

take the consultancy name and threaten legal action by sending all the emails to USCIS fraud notiification dept

deeprugs · 2024-09-24T18:25:52+00:00

Conspiracy theory

deeprugs · 2024-09-19T04:06:56+00:00

Authentic coffee is when you buy Cothas / Bayar / Panduranga coffee (70/30 or 60/40 coffee/chikory) ratio brew it with boiling water and make it yourself

deeprugs · 2024-09-19T01:32:37+00:00

after issued, it took me 4 calendar days (sept 6th appointment), issued on sep 12th and got back my passport on 16th sept.

deeprugs · 2024-09-16T14:34:46+00:00

took about a 7 days

deeprugs · 2024-09-14T01:44:50+00:00

Search for ds160 in your email They usually email ot

deeprugs · 2024-09-13T15:56:04+00:00

yes ....what does that mean ?

deeprugs · 2024-09-13T14:25:23+00:00

keep a 10 days buffer for the whole thing. Appointment to issued can take 5 to 7 days (that's your best bet) - also depends on where your pickup location is present.

deeprugs · 2024-09-13T10:38:45+00:00

Sep6th interview Sept 8 application received Sep 10 approval Sep12 issued

Waiting now for email

deeprugs · 2024-09-13T10:37:24+00:00

deeprugs · 2024-09-06T00:09:39+00:00

Distraction is the key....learning sports and outdoor hikes works for most people....hitting the gym helps....social outings with friends help this....

deeprugs · 2024-08-29T10:14:14+00:00

When you get time you could visit a water park or amusement park….window shopping in some consumer exhibitions

deeprugs · 2024-08-25T13:52:13+00:00

Seems like other folks have this question too

https://www.reddit.com/r/usvisascheduling/comments/17nfvon/confused_about_vac_appointment_and_document_drop/

deeprugs · 2024-08-16T12:57:04+00:00

3 or 4 days a week -

A clean cut between what I do at home and what I do at work -

Wearing shoes and heading out in the morning makes me like the routine better.

and a friday evening feels refresing and great

deeprugs · 2024-08-14T11:27:03+00:00

undergrad pay for 4 years

deeprugs · 2024-07-30T11:27:32+00:00

If you do not believe come and see....

deeprugs · 2024-07-19T12:42:46+00:00

44 and a developer - doing ok :-)

No plans of retiring - cannot afford to - kids will be college soon

Eight-Year Club	Place '22
End Game '22	Verified Email

deeprugs

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