Lessons Learned as a Full-Stack Engineer

As a Full-Stack Developer for Leisure Time Inc., I was responsible for managing various aspects of the company's digital presence. My primary focus was on the company's Shopify site and Main website, which were both written in Next.js. I was also responsible for managing the Customer Portal and Administration site, which were written in React.js.

One of the most challenging parts of my job was debugging and adding new features to each site as needed. This required me to have a strong understanding of both frontend and backend development, as well as a keen eye for detail and problem-solving skills. I worked closely with the development team and stakeholders to identify issues and develop solutions that met the needs of the company and its customers.

To manage the content on the company's sites, I used the Content Management System (CMS) Prismic.io. This allowed me to keep the content up-to-date and ensure that it was consistent across all of the company's digital properties. I also managed the company's database using Firebase, which involved keeping it up-to-date, ensuring data security, and optimizing performance.

In addition to my development work, I also managed the company's marketing team. This involved working closely with the team to ensure that the company's digital marketing efforts were effective and aligned with the overall business strategy. I was responsible for addressing things like SEO and helping with creative direction. This was a challenging aspect of my job, but I enjoyed working closely with the marketing team and seeing the impact that our efforts had on the company's success.

As part of my role as the Marketing Manager, I also performed one-on-ones for the well-being of our employees and the company itself. This involved regular check-ins with team members to ensure that they were happy and fulfilled in their roles, as well as identifying areas for improvement and development. I also worked closely with company leadership to develop strategies for employee retention and growth.

I learned some very important lessons while working as a Full-Stack Developer for Leisure Time Inc. these include:

1. Shopify sites built with anything but Remix have a big negative impact on SEO. One of the biggest lessons I learned while working on the company's Shopify site was the importance of using the right tools and frameworks. In particular, I discovered that using anything but Remix could negatively impact the site's SEO. This taught me the importance of thoroughly researching and evaluating different tools and frameworks before deciding on which ones to use for a given project.
2. Clarify all the details when developing new features. Another important lesson I learned was the importance of clarifying details when developing new features. This involved working closely with stakeholders to understand their requirements and expectations, as well as making sure that the development team had a clear understanding of what was expected of them. By clarifying details up front, we were able to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that everyone was on the same page.
3. If something is getting too hard, take a step back, breathe, work on something else, and then come back. As a Full-Stack Developer, I faced many challenging situations that required me to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions. However, I also learned that it was important to take breaks when things got too difficult. By taking a step back, breathing, and working on something else for a little while, I was able to regain my focus and come back to the problem with a fresh perspective.
4. Be open and honest about deliverable timing, don’t over promise or underestimate workload. Finally, I learned that it was important to be open and honest about deliverable timing. This meant being upfront with stakeholders about how long it would take to complete a project or feature, and not overpromising or underestimating the workload. By being transparent about the timeline and workload, we were able to manage expectations and ensure that everyone was on the same page about what was expected.
   

In conclusion, my experience as a Full-Stack Developer for Leisure Time Inc. taught me many valuable lessons about web development, project management, and teamwork. By taking these lessons to heart, I was able to make a significant contribution to the company's digital presence, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such a talented and dedicated team.