The role of junior developer is evolving. If you’re at this stage in your career, here’s how to keep up and stand out.
Everyone’s talking about it: AI is changing how we work. And nowhere is that more true than in the field of software engineering. If you’re just getting started as a developer, you might be wondering: *is AI ruining my chances of getting a junior-level role?* After all, a 2023 study by ServiceNow and Pearson projects that nearly 26% of tasks performed by [current] junior application developers will be augmented or fully automated by 2027.
In a word: No. Quite the contrary. New learners are well positioned to **thrive** as junior developers because they’re coming into the workforce already savvy with AI tools, which is just what companies need to adapt to the changing ways software is being developed. Our CEO Thomas Domke says:
dir=”ltr” lang=”en”>We’re entering an era where interns and junior developers are showing up already fluent in the best tools for AI code-gen on the market. Why? They vibe with AI. They build with it. Fresh talent ➡ better ideas ➡ the best tools. :robot_face:
Thanks @GergelyOrosz for the story on how we’re… https://t.co/Sj6KAbq7dz
— Thomas Dohmke (@ashtom) May 27, 2025
Hear more from Thomas on The Pragmatic Engineer podcast >
So what does that mean for you? According to Miles Berry, professor of computing education at the University of Roehampton, today’s learners must develop the skills to **work with** AI rather than worry about being replaced by it. As a junior developer, you need to think critically about the code your AI tool gives you, stay curious when things feel unfamiliar, and collaborate with AI itself in addition to senior team members. As Berry puts it:
“Creativity and curiosity are at the heart of what sets us apart from machines.”
With that in mind, here are five ways to stand out as a junior developer in the AI era:
1. Use AI to learn faster, not just code faster
Most developers use GitHub Copilot for autocomplete. But if you’re starting out, you can turn it into something more powerful: a coding coach.
Get Copilot to tutor you
You can set personal instructions so Copilot gui
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Source: Read the original article here.
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