Although my capstone course CS-448 focuses on mimicking a live agile setup to understand how software engineers work, there is still a focus on understanding how to become industry professionals outside of hands-on experience. Part of this extraneous understanding is reading the book on Software Apprenticeship Patters, most notably the first chapter on understanding the stages of craftsmanship.

I was hooked immediately into this chapter, as what I found my knowledge lacked in the most; was that I had very little understanding of some soft-skills Software Engineers should have. What was first apparent to me was that I am firmly in the apprentice stage of craftsmanship. I am focused on trying to become better at not only completing my tasks assigned and problems to solve, but understanding how to do them faster. Being an apprentice means to share this focus, and often I find myself forgetting (along with many others) that we will continue to learn after our graduation.

The understanding I’ve gained on patterns to work with my apprenticeship has driven me to change my mind on how to approach work in computer science. I have always had a drive to learn, but learning even as I work will be important for my growth. The reading has helped me to understand I should want to experiment and be proven wrong especially, rather than getting something wrong being treated as a failure.

I disagree with the software pattern about walking the long road. While I greatly enjoy coding and computer science, the idea of consistently dedicating myself to learning every day seems daunting. I value competence and pride in my skillset, and of course learning is required for that; however I worry that such dedication removes my ability to balance other hobbies along with my work.

Overall what seems most relevant to me is the first chapter. It is the most robust of those I read, and it contains the most information to introduce software apprenticeship. It covers what apprenticeship is, as well as the levels of software craftsmanship. With understanding these, it also introduces the idea of Software Apprenticeship Patterns, which is the focal point of the book.

From the blog CS@Worcester – WSU CS Blog: Ben Gelineau by Ben Gelineau and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Comparing software development to an apprenticeship like blacksmithing makes a lot of sense. The analogy can work for other professions but I think it works especially well with software development. The reason being that software development compared to other fields offers a lot of freedom and different ways of doing things. In other fields, you often only have a few ways of doing things. For programming there are often many ways to solve problems. Not every solution is good, but it can be used. I think it is a lot black smithing in that way. Many techniques are capable of getting the job done. You can go your whole life without knowing about them, but still be component enough to do good work. In the beginning, you are capable of doing very little or bare bones work. But as you increase your knowledge and experience you become more capable of doing much more. And maybe most importantly create work that can last in the most efficient way. Smithing a sword and building good software are not so different.

One of the most profound patterns to me was the “Exposing Your Ignorance”. Accepting that you are not perfect and there is no way to know everything. Especially, as a beginner it feels like a need to master so many things in such a small time. I feel like I never know enough. I often feel like “how can I get a job like this, I know so little”. Everyone seems to know more than me so it can get discouraging. But I like what this pattern is trying to instill. Accept that you are a beginner and that you will need help. This also goes into the finding mentors pattern. Having someone who can guide or help out of a tight spot. 

I think I like all the patterns about finding your own way. Like the long road pattern. Accepting that maybe you learn in a different way or approach something in a way that best suits you. No one person floors the same path. The software field is so diverse with some many different areas of specialization. There’s no one path that suits the goals you have in mind. Overall the biggest lesson I took away was not criticizing myself for not being a master. Accept that proficiency comes with time and no road is without bumps.

From the blog CS@Worcester – Code Craft by Kyle Tucker and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

 In this post, I’ll be discussing my thoughts primarily on Chapter 1 of Apprenticeship Patterns. I really like the idea of being a “Software Apprentice,” as I think it is a good representation of the attitude I have adopted over the years. I’ve always viewed myself as someone who is constantly learning and evolving in this field, and the apprenticeship model seems to align perfectly with that. It’s not about arriving at some endpoint but about growing, making mistakes, and improving.

What stood out to me the most was the idea of viewing the development process as a journey, not a destination. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of “Software Craftsmanship” as more than just technical skill, but also as a mindset of continuous learning. This was particularly thought-provoking because I think there’s a tendency, especially early in our careers, to think of coding as a task to be completed or a skill to be mastered and then moved beyond while in pursuit of some computer science career. However, the idea that becoming a Software Craftsman is an ongoing process—a commitment to constant improvement and a mindset that thrives on learning—is something that I think is a better description. It shifted my perspective on what it means to be good at coding- it’s not enough to know how to do something today, it’s about always finding a way to improve your code in the future.

In the past, specifically in my career, I’ve often gotten caught up in the day-to-day rush of just getting whatever piece of code done. I’ve rushed to get things coded, with the focus being on completing projects rather than developing deeper expertise or refining my approach to coding. After reading this chapter, I think I’m more likely to focus on the long-term value of writing quality code and the importance of standards. It’s not just about writing code that works; it’s about writing code that lasts, is readable, and contributes to a more sustainable project. I’m going to start to approach my coding tasks with a deeper goal, rather than rushing through them for the sake of completion.

As for the chapters that seem most relevant to me, I’d say Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 are particularly interesting. Chapter 2 addresses the Apprentice phase, which is where I find myself right now. It talks about how to build your foundational skills, seek out learning opportunities, and adopt the mindset of a lifelong learner – things I’m actively working on. Chapter 3, which discusses the Journeyman phase, is also relevant to me because it’s about expanding your skill set and finding ways to deepen your experience. I’m interested in how this phase encourages finding ways to take on more responsibility and become a more well-rounded developer, which is exactly where I want to focus next in my development journey.

From the blog Mr. Lancer 987's Blog by Mr. Lancer 987 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

 In this post, I’ll be discussing my thoughts primarily on Chapter 1 of Apprenticeship Patterns. I really like the idea of being a “Software Apprentice,” as I think it is a good representation of the attitude I have adopted over the years. I’ve always viewed myself as someone who is constantly learning and evolving in this field, and the apprenticeship model seems to align perfectly with that. It’s not about arriving at some endpoint but about growing, making mistakes, and improving.

What stood out to me the most was the idea of viewing the development process as a journey, not a destination. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of “Software Craftsmanship” as more than just technical skill, but also as a mindset of continuous learning. This was particularly thought-provoking because I think there’s a tendency, especially early in our careers, to think of coding as a task to be completed or a skill to be mastered and then moved beyond while in pursuit of some computer science career. However, the idea that becoming a Software Craftsman is an ongoing process—a commitment to constant improvement and a mindset that thrives on learning—is something that I think is a better description. It shifted my perspective on what it means to be good at coding- it’s not enough to know how to do something today, it’s about always finding a way to improve your code in the future.

In the past, specifically in my career, I’ve often gotten caught up in the day-to-day rush of just getting whatever piece of code done. I’ve rushed to get things coded, with the focus being on completing projects rather than developing deeper expertise or refining my approach to coding. After reading this chapter, I think I’m more likely to focus on the long-term value of writing quality code and the importance of standards. It’s not just about writing code that works; it’s about writing code that lasts, is readable, and contributes to a more sustainable project. I’m going to start to approach my coding tasks with a deeper goal, rather than rushing through them for the sake of completion.

As for the chapters that seem most relevant to me, I’d say Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 are particularly interesting. Chapter 2 addresses the Apprentice phase, which is where I find myself right now. It talks about how to build your foundational skills, seek out learning opportunities, and adopt the mindset of a lifelong learner – things I’m actively working on. Chapter 3, which discusses the Journeyman phase, is also relevant to me because it’s about expanding your skill set and finding ways to deepen your experience. I’m interested in how this phase encourages finding ways to take on more responsibility and become a more well-rounded developer, which is exactly where I want to focus next in my development journey.

From the blog Mr. Lancer 987's Blog by Mr. Lancer 987 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

 In this post, I’ll be discussing my thoughts primarily on Chapter 1 of Apprenticeship Patterns. I really like the idea of being a “Software Apprentice,” as I think it is a good representation of the attitude I have adopted over the years. I’ve always viewed myself as someone who is constantly learning and evolving in this field, and the apprenticeship model seems to align perfectly with that. It’s not about arriving at some endpoint but about growing, making mistakes, and improving.

What stood out to me the most was the idea of viewing the development process as a journey, not a destination. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of “Software Craftsmanship” as more than just technical skill, but also as a mindset of continuous learning. This was particularly thought-provoking because I think there’s a tendency, especially early in our careers, to think of coding as a task to be completed or a skill to be mastered and then moved beyond while in pursuit of some computer science career. However, the idea that becoming a Software Craftsman is an ongoing process—a commitment to constant improvement and a mindset that thrives on learning—is something that I think is a better description. It shifted my perspective on what it means to be good at coding- it’s not enough to know how to do something today, it’s about always finding a way to improve your code in the future.

In the past, specifically in my career, I’ve often gotten caught up in the day-to-day rush of just getting whatever piece of code done. I’ve rushed to get things coded, with the focus being on completing projects rather than developing deeper expertise or refining my approach to coding. After reading this chapter, I think I’m more likely to focus on the long-term value of writing quality code and the importance of standards. It’s not just about writing code that works; it’s about writing code that lasts, is readable, and contributes to a more sustainable project. I’m going to start to approach my coding tasks with a deeper goal, rather than rushing through them for the sake of completion.

As for the chapters that seem most relevant to me, I’d say Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 are particularly interesting. Chapter 2 addresses the Apprentice phase, which is where I find myself right now. It talks about how to build your foundational skills, seek out learning opportunities, and adopt the mindset of a lifelong learner – things I’m actively working on. Chapter 3, which discusses the Journeyman phase, is also relevant to me because it’s about expanding your skill set and finding ways to deepen your experience. I’m interested in how this phase encourages finding ways to take on more responsibility and become a more well-rounded developer, which is exactly where I want to focus next in my development journey.

From the blog Mr. Lancer 987's Blog by Mr. Lancer 987 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

 In this post, I’ll be discussing my thoughts primarily on Chapter 1 of Apprenticeship Patterns. I really like the idea of being a “Software Apprentice,” as I think it is a good representation of the attitude I have adopted over the years. I’ve always viewed myself as someone who is constantly learning and evolving in this field, and the apprenticeship model seems to align perfectly with that. It’s not about arriving at some endpoint but about growing, making mistakes, and improving.

What stood out to me the most was the idea of viewing the development process as a journey, not a destination. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of “Software Craftsmanship” as more than just technical skill, but also as a mindset of continuous learning. This was particularly thought-provoking because I think there’s a tendency, especially early in our careers, to think of coding as a task to be completed or a skill to be mastered and then moved beyond while in pursuit of some computer science career. However, the idea that becoming a Software Craftsman is an ongoing process—a commitment to constant improvement and a mindset that thrives on learning—is something that I think is a better description. It shifted my perspective on what it means to be good at coding- it’s not enough to know how to do something today, it’s about always finding a way to improve your code in the future.

In the past, specifically in my career, I’ve often gotten caught up in the day-to-day rush of just getting whatever piece of code done. I’ve rushed to get things coded, with the focus being on completing projects rather than developing deeper expertise or refining my approach to coding. After reading this chapter, I think I’m more likely to focus on the long-term value of writing quality code and the importance of standards. It’s not just about writing code that works; it’s about writing code that lasts, is readable, and contributes to a more sustainable project. I’m going to start to approach my coding tasks with a deeper goal, rather than rushing through them for the sake of completion.

As for the chapters that seem most relevant to me, I’d say Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 are particularly interesting. Chapter 2 addresses the Apprentice phase, which is where I find myself right now. It talks about how to build your foundational skills, seek out learning opportunities, and adopt the mindset of a lifelong learner – things I’m actively working on. Chapter 3, which discusses the Journeyman phase, is also relevant to me because it’s about expanding your skill set and finding ways to deepen your experience. I’m interested in how this phase encourages finding ways to take on more responsibility and become a more well-rounded developer, which is exactly where I want to focus next in my development journey.

From the blog Mr. Lancer 987's Blog by Mr. Lancer 987 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

 In this post, I’ll be discussing my thoughts primarily on Chapter 1 of Apprenticeship Patterns. I really like the idea of being a “Software Apprentice,” as I think it is a good representation of the attitude I have adopted over the years. I’ve always viewed myself as someone who is constantly learning and evolving in this field, and the apprenticeship model seems to align perfectly with that. It’s not about arriving at some endpoint but about growing, making mistakes, and improving.

What stood out to me the most was the idea of viewing the development process as a journey, not a destination. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of “Software Craftsmanship” as more than just technical skill, but also as a mindset of continuous learning. This was particularly thought-provoking because I think there’s a tendency, especially early in our careers, to think of coding as a task to be completed or a skill to be mastered and then moved beyond while in pursuit of some computer science career. However, the idea that becoming a Software Craftsman is an ongoing process—a commitment to constant improvement and a mindset that thrives on learning—is something that I think is a better description. It shifted my perspective on what it means to be good at coding- it’s not enough to know how to do something today, it’s about always finding a way to improve your code in the future.

In the past, specifically in my career, I’ve often gotten caught up in the day-to-day rush of just getting whatever piece of code done. I’ve rushed to get things coded, with the focus being on completing projects rather than developing deeper expertise or refining my approach to coding. After reading this chapter, I think I’m more likely to focus on the long-term value of writing quality code and the importance of standards. It’s not just about writing code that works; it’s about writing code that lasts, is readable, and contributes to a more sustainable project. I’m going to start to approach my coding tasks with a deeper goal, rather than rushing through them for the sake of completion.

As for the chapters that seem most relevant to me, I’d say Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 are particularly interesting. Chapter 2 addresses the Apprentice phase, which is where I find myself right now. It talks about how to build your foundational skills, seek out learning opportunities, and adopt the mindset of a lifelong learner – things I’m actively working on. Chapter 3, which discusses the Journeyman phase, is also relevant to me because it’s about expanding your skill set and finding ways to deepen your experience. I’m interested in how this phase encourages finding ways to take on more responsibility and become a more well-rounded developer, which is exactly where I want to focus next in my development journey.

From the blog Mr. Lancer 987's Blog by Mr. Lancer 987 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

 In this post, I’ll be discussing my thoughts primarily on Chapter 1 of Apprenticeship Patterns. I really like the idea of being a “Software Apprentice,” as I think it is a good representation of the attitude I have adopted over the years. I’ve always viewed myself as someone who is constantly learning and evolving in this field, and the apprenticeship model seems to align perfectly with that. It’s not about arriving at some endpoint but about growing, making mistakes, and improving.

What stood out to me the most was the idea of viewing the development process as a journey, not a destination. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of “Software Craftsmanship” as more than just technical skill, but also as a mindset of continuous learning. This was particularly thought-provoking because I think there’s a tendency, especially early in our careers, to think of coding as a task to be completed or a skill to be mastered and then moved beyond while in pursuit of some computer science career. However, the idea that becoming a Software Craftsman is an ongoing process—a commitment to constant improvement and a mindset that thrives on learning—is something that I think is a better description. It shifted my perspective on what it means to be good at coding- it’s not enough to know how to do something today, it’s about always finding a way to improve your code in the future.

In the past, specifically in my career, I’ve often gotten caught up in the day-to-day rush of just getting whatever piece of code done. I’ve rushed to get things coded, with the focus being on completing projects rather than developing deeper expertise or refining my approach to coding. After reading this chapter, I think I’m more likely to focus on the long-term value of writing quality code and the importance of standards. It’s not just about writing code that works; it’s about writing code that lasts, is readable, and contributes to a more sustainable project. I’m going to start to approach my coding tasks with a deeper goal, rather than rushing through them for the sake of completion.

As for the chapters that seem most relevant to me, I’d say Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 are particularly interesting. Chapter 2 addresses the Apprentice phase, which is where I find myself right now. It talks about how to build your foundational skills, seek out learning opportunities, and adopt the mindset of a lifelong learner – things I’m actively working on. Chapter 3, which discusses the Journeyman phase, is also relevant to me because it’s about expanding your skill set and finding ways to deepen your experience. I’m interested in how this phase encourages finding ways to take on more responsibility and become a more well-rounded developer, which is exactly where I want to focus next in my development journey.

From the blog Mr. Lancer 987's Blog by Mr. Lancer 987 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

 In this post, I’ll be discussing my thoughts primarily on Chapter 1 of Apprenticeship Patterns. I really like the idea of being a “Software Apprentice,” as I think it is a good representation of the attitude I have adopted over the years. I’ve always viewed myself as someone who is constantly learning and evolving in this field, and the apprenticeship model seems to align perfectly with that. It’s not about arriving at some endpoint but about growing, making mistakes, and improving.

What stood out to me the most was the idea of viewing the development process as a journey, not a destination. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of “Software Craftsmanship” as more than just technical skill, but also as a mindset of continuous learning. This was particularly thought-provoking because I think there’s a tendency, especially early in our careers, to think of coding as a task to be completed or a skill to be mastered and then moved beyond while in pursuit of some computer science career. However, the idea that becoming a Software Craftsman is an ongoing process—a commitment to constant improvement and a mindset that thrives on learning—is something that I think is a better description. It shifted my perspective on what it means to be good at coding- it’s not enough to know how to do something today, it’s about always finding a way to improve your code in the future.

In the past, specifically in my career, I’ve often gotten caught up in the day-to-day rush of just getting whatever piece of code done. I’ve rushed to get things coded, with the focus being on completing projects rather than developing deeper expertise or refining my approach to coding. After reading this chapter, I think I’m more likely to focus on the long-term value of writing quality code and the importance of standards. It’s not just about writing code that works; it’s about writing code that lasts, is readable, and contributes to a more sustainable project. I’m going to start to approach my coding tasks with a deeper goal, rather than rushing through them for the sake of completion.

As for the chapters that seem most relevant to me, I’d say Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 are particularly interesting. Chapter 2 addresses the Apprentice phase, which is where I find myself right now. It talks about how to build your foundational skills, seek out learning opportunities, and adopt the mindset of a lifelong learner – things I’m actively working on. Chapter 3, which discusses the Journeyman phase, is also relevant to me because it’s about expanding your skill set and finding ways to deepen your experience. I’m interested in how this phase encourages finding ways to take on more responsibility and become a more well-rounded developer, which is exactly where I want to focus next in my development journey.

From the blog Mr. Lancer 987's Blog by Mr. Lancer 987 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

 In this post, I’ll be discussing my thoughts primarily on Chapter 1 of Apprenticeship Patterns. I really like the idea of being a “Software Apprentice,” as I think it is a good representation of the attitude I have adopted over the years. I’ve always viewed myself as someone who is constantly learning and evolving in this field, and the apprenticeship model seems to align perfectly with that. It’s not about arriving at some endpoint but about growing, making mistakes, and improving.

What stood out to me the most was the idea of viewing the development process as a journey, not a destination. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of “Software Craftsmanship” as more than just technical skill, but also as a mindset of continuous learning. This was particularly thought-provoking because I think there’s a tendency, especially early in our careers, to think of coding as a task to be completed or a skill to be mastered and then moved beyond while in pursuit of some computer science career. However, the idea that becoming a Software Craftsman is an ongoing process—a commitment to constant improvement and a mindset that thrives on learning—is something that I think is a better description. It shifted my perspective on what it means to be good at coding- it’s not enough to know how to do something today, it’s about always finding a way to improve your code in the future.

In the past, specifically in my career, I’ve often gotten caught up in the day-to-day rush of just getting whatever piece of code done. I’ve rushed to get things coded, with the focus being on completing projects rather than developing deeper expertise or refining my approach to coding. After reading this chapter, I think I’m more likely to focus on the long-term value of writing quality code and the importance of standards. It’s not just about writing code that works; it’s about writing code that lasts, is readable, and contributes to a more sustainable project. I’m going to start to approach my coding tasks with a deeper goal, rather than rushing through them for the sake of completion.

As for the chapters that seem most relevant to me, I’d say Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 are particularly interesting. Chapter 2 addresses the Apprentice phase, which is where I find myself right now. It talks about how to build your foundational skills, seek out learning opportunities, and adopt the mindset of a lifelong learner – things I’m actively working on. Chapter 3, which discusses the Journeyman phase, is also relevant to me because it’s about expanding your skill set and finding ways to deepen your experience. I’m interested in how this phase encourages finding ways to take on more responsibility and become a more well-rounded developer, which is exactly where I want to focus next in my development journey.

From the blog Mr. Lancer 987's Blog by Mr. Lancer 987 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.