Ask HN: What is the best way to spend my time as a 17-year-old who can code?

Re:Ask HN: What is the best way to spend my time as a 17-yea... by ben_jones on Sunday September 24, 2017 @12:39PM (#15325398)

At 17 I wasn't a good listener. I could listen to role models or people I deemed "above me" but not not else. If you become a good listener, who can understand people's problems, their fears, motivations, strengths, feelings, and emotions, you'll be years above and permanently above many of your peers. But it takes serious effort.

Do not undervalue skill sets outside of coding. We have hundreds of universities pumping out coders right now. Be someone else who can also code.

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Re:Ask HN: What is the best way to spend my time as a 17-yea... by chromelyke on Sunday September 24, 2017 @01:44PM (#15325681)

This is the one. If you can code then focus on communication, empathy and organizing ideas. More generally, try to understand product and the process around it. Take an idea, even one that's contrived and try to run through a SWOT (as lame as that sounds, the exercise makes you think). Don't get caught up trying to perfect your syntax - learn how to write (sometimes shitty) code to solve real problems.

Further, you'll rarely solve big problem on your own. Doing the above will prep you for working in a high functioning team. Strive to put yourself in a position to work with the best. From there life will take you to the right place.

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