The Programming Professional

Embrace Agility Over Agile

Sun, 16 Aug 2020 21:00:00 -0400

Agile with a big A is broken. The word has lost all meaning and is instead being sold as a product. Instead of us being nimble as developers, we are expected to "Use Agile", which is a broken way of thinking.

In today's episode, Chris talks about embracing agility instead of falling for the ideals of a broken Agile System.

Becoming A Domain Expert

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 01:00:00 -0400

As software developers, we exist in a strange "in-between" domain. We usually don't build software for other developers. Instead, we exist in the Software Development Domain and also the domain of the company that we currently work for. In today's episode, Chris explores why we should become experts in both domains and what that can mean for your career.

Managers Are NOT Your Friend

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 01:00:00 -0400

If you have ever had a personal relationship with your manager, you know it can be really complicated where work stops and personal life begins. In today's episode, Chris talks about why we should avoid these situations and keep our relationship with our manager as purely professional.

Advice For My Younger Self

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 01:00:00 -0400

Have you ever wished you could go back and give yourself advice? Well, I do! In today's episode, Chris goes back to his early days as a programmer and gives himself some career advice. Hopefully, you will be able to use this advice to further your own career!

Distributed Systems Are Hard

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 13:00:00 -0400

Modern programming has evolved to a point where almost every application being built today exists inside a distributed system. In today's episode, we are going to explore why these distributed systems are so hard and common problems we might encounter working in them. This is good advice no matter where you work in the stack!

Programming Personalities

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 08:00:00 -0400

In today's episode, Chris talks about the 8 distinct programming personalities that he has encountered over his career. Can you tell which personality you match?

Your Tech Stack Should Be Boring

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 08:00:00 -0400

When you are being paid by a company to build their product, you shouldn't be introducing unnecessary complexity. Instead, the tech stack you are building should be completely boring and predictable. In this episode, Chris talks about when you should use proven technology vs. when you should introduce a new piece to the tech stack.

Are You An Asset?

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 11:00:00 -0400

Your management probably doesn't see the development organization as a group of people. Instead, they see it as a cost the company has to pay to build their product. If you want to future proof your career, you need to stop being seen as just another cost and make yourself a valuable asset.

In this episode, Chris talks about things you should start doing to make yourself a valuable asset to the management team.

Career Growth and You

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 16:00:00 -0400

Are you taking full responsibility for your own career? Or are you expecting your employer to do it for you? Chris talks about the dangers of leaving your career in the hands of your employer and what you can do to take control of your own destiny today.

QA Are Friends, Not Food

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 15:00:00 -0400

Join Chris Franklin as he explores programmers relationship with their best asset, the QA team. Do you have a professional relationship with your own QA?

Your T-Shirt Probably Sucks

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 14:00:00 -0400

As much as we all love wearing T-Shirts to work, this is a practice that is doing much more harm than good. Chris Franklin shares his view on business attire and its impact of how you are perceived by upper management. The first step toward getting the recognition you deserve is being seen as a valuable asset.