5 Lessons in Tech and Career: Rafael Del Nero Interviews Josh Long

Rafael Del Nero had a great chat with Josh Long, a well-known developer from the Spring community. Josh shared important lessons that can help every developer grow.

Here are 5 key takeaways:

1. Startups Teach You Fast

Josh started his career in small companies. He had to do everything, code, test, fix problems. It was hard, but he learned a lot.
Tip: If you work in a startup, you learn fast because you do many different tasks.

2. Open Source Is Free Mentorship

Josh said that working on open-source projects helped him learn from smart people. It also helped him get job offers.
Tip: When you contribute to open source, you learn, grow, and meet others in the community.

3. Teaching Helps You Master Skills

“To really learn something, teach it.” – Josh Long
Josh explained that teaching (like giving talks or writing) helped him understand things better.

Tip: Try to teach what you learn. It makes you better.

4. Communication Is Key

Good developers don’t just code—they also know how to talk to people. Josh said understanding business goals and explaining your work is very important.
Tip: Work on your communication. It can help you grow into leadership roles.

5. Learn Broadly, Then Go Deep

Josh shared that learning many topics (like cloud, databases, testing) helps you find your interests. Then you can go deeper.
Tip: Explore different areas. Later, focus on what you like or need most.

The Power of Learning Together

Josh’s story also shows how important it is to learn with others. Sharing, talking, and growing in a group makes the process easier and more fun.

Want to hear more? 🎧 Watch the full conversation with Rafael and Josh!

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