How can software engineers grow during a tech downturn?

Work doesn’t stop during a downturn, things still need to get done. Just keep doing your job, getting that 10,000 hours. If your job isn’t enough to satisfy your curiosities, look to contribute to FOSS.

> If your job isn’t enough to satisfy your curiosities, look to contribute to FOSS.

Find ways to challenge yourself that also compounds.

Writing original software. You need to learn to write documentation, gain users, respond to feature requests, build organizational skills.

When I say original software I mean solving for a real problem people have with real code written by you, not some boilerplate framework nonsense.

I feel like the only time I get to grow is during a downturn. Everyone stops focusing on fundamentals when the cash is flowing and just want to ship whatever gets them to the next round.

Downturn has no effect on growth only on income.