Advice for a new developer?

[yell0wdart]

So I just got a new job as an ASP.NET/C# developer for the church I go to. Seems like a really good gig. The pay range is very competetive for similar entry level developer jobs locally. Benefits are great. Work environment looks great too. So far so good.

My biggest concern: I'm new to programming. I've only been actively learning C# for about 5'ish months. No formal training. I'm, for the most part, entirely self taught. I've got a pretty good grasp on syntax, good OO design practice, design patterns, and am kind of refining my coding style at this point.

Personally, I'm pleasantly surprised that they're willing to take a chance on somebody like me. I must have impressed them a little bit when I laid down a simple MVC pattern to handle an RSS Reader winform project they gave me as a trial problem.

Anyway, back to my main questions... Any of you gurus out there have any advice to a growing developer getting into the industry? Any tidbits of wisdom that you know now that you wish you knew back when you first started? Any advice you can offer?

Much appreciated.

[kirants]

Don't hesitate to get your hands dirty. Remember, there is no fast track to experience
Don't ignore things that might sound lousy. You'll be amazed how much useful some of those things will be later on.
It's great to hear you are very enthusiastic about your job. Don't lose that. Enthusiasm is what makes work fun.

[yell0wdart]

All good things to remember. Thank you.

[davide++]

Hi all.

Humbleness; listen to skilled collegues advices, and try to steal their secrets.
Perseverance; don't surrender when you'll meet with problems, and try to find a solution.
Above all, save your enthusiams about your job and try to have fun.

[getzephyr]

Its good to know that you are very enthusiastic about your job. Always try to think positively, it will help to your success. Wish you all the best.

[Revne]

Always try to do your best and follow your coder way

[Username555]

So I just

Much appreciated.

is that a white programming exercise ?

[dglienna]

Don't try to reinvent the wheel. Remember Google is your friend. Also, our forums are a great place to come when you're stuck, or just want to keep fresh by helping others.

[asalways]

I am stuck but freshening myself by helping others is not really true, at present

[Kheun]

Even though there is no shortcut for experience, willingness to listen, learning from other's mistake and doing lots of reading will speed up quite a lot.

[Voominibear]

The problem is not about experience that you can not do a certain job or join a team for a project. It takes only a few days for you to learn techniques in the system people are working on. Companies certainly needs to exaggerate their power of control, systematic analyses, "serious" this "serious" that, etc. The decision maker is not you of course.