How I Became a Senior Software Engineer From Only Knowing React JS
When I started my journey as a developer, React JS was my bread and butter. I was proficient in building functional, visually appealing frontends, but I lacked a deeper understanding of the full-stack world. Transitioning to a senior software engineering role required not only broadening my technical expertise but also honing leadership, architectural thinking, and problem-solving skills. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown of how I achieved this milestone, focusing on the technical lessons I learned along the way.
Step 1: Master React, Deeply
Before branching out, I ensured I had an expert-level grasp of React. Beyond writing functional components, I delved into:
- State Management:
I explored complex state management techniques beyond React’s built-in tools, like Redux Toolkit and Zustand. Understanding advanced patterns such as middleware, side effects (e.g., redux-saga or redux-thunk), and efficient state structure helped me solve performance bottlenecks in large-scale applications. - Performance Optimization:
Techniques like memoization (React.memo,useMemo,useCallback), lazy loading, and code-splitting were instrumental in improving app responsiveness. Profiling tools like the React DevTools Profiler guided my optimization efforts.
