You Should Have A Side Project

How Mid to Senior Software Engineers Can Foster Growth, Innovation, and Career Advancement Outside the Office

Patrick Karsh
3 min readJan 7, 2024
Wow, they would never let me try this at work.

As a mid to senior software engineer, you’ve likely mastered the essentials of your trade. You’re adept at navigating complex codebases, translating intricate requirements into robust solutions, and mentoring junior team members. But what’s next? How do you ensure continual growth and maintain that cutting-edge advantage in a rapidly evolving tech landscape? The answer could lie in a somewhat unconventional yet incredibly effective practice: embarking on side projects.

Why Side Projects Matter

Continuous Learning and Skill Enhancement

In an industry where new languages, frameworks, and technologies emerge constantly, staying relevant is key. Side projects offer a sandbox for exploration, allowing you to experiment with emerging tech trends outside the constraints of your day job. This proactive learning keeps your skills sharp and your knowledge up-to-date.

Fostering Innovation and Creativity

Within the structured environment of a corporate job, creativity can sometimes hit a ceiling. Side projects, free from rigid…

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Patrick Karsh
Patrick Karsh

Written by Patrick Karsh

NYC-based Ruby on Rails and Javascript Engineer leveraging AI to explore Engineering. https://linktr.ee/patrickkarsh