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ArtOfBlockChain

  • Starting my first blockchain dev internship next week - what gets junior devs fired during probation?

    Web3Learner_Abaz

    Web3Learner_Abaz

    @Web3LearnerAbaz
    Updated: Jul 25, 2025
    Views: 29

    What's up everyone!

    So I'm starting my first blockchain developer internship next week and I'm honestly kinda freaking out. I've been lurking here for a while but figured it's time to actually post.

    What are the most common reasons junior blockchain developers fail their probation period?

    I know this sounds like a basic question but hear me out - I've got the technical stuff down (did well in my algorithms class, built a few DApps for projects) but I have zero idea what actually working at a company is like.

    Some things I'm specifically worried about:

    • How fast am I supposed to pick things up? Like if they give me a task, should I be asking questions after 30 minutes or grinding on it for hours first?

    • Code reviews - are senior devs gonna roast my code? How do I take feedback without looking like I can't handle criticism?

    • The business side - I can write smart contracts but explaining WHY we need this feature to a PM sounds terrifying

    • Blockchain moves so fast - am I expected to know every new protocol that drops?

    • Time management - balancing actual work with learning the company's tech stack

    I really don't want to be that intern who gets let go after 3 months. Anyone been through this recently or managed junior devs? What are the red flags that get people cut?

    Also if anyone has horror stories of interns who crashed and burned, I'd rather know what NOT to do upfront.

    Thanks for any advice. This community has helped me prep for interviews so hoping you can help me not screw up the actual job too 😅

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  • FintechLee

    @FintechLee • 6d

    Hey there! Based on countless internship stories I've seen in my career, here are the biggest killers for blockchain dev interns:

    **#1 Going Silenthen Stuck Don't disappear for days trying to "figure it out." Use the 30-minute rule: struggle for 30 mins max, then ask specific questions. Say "I'm stuck on implementing the token validation logic after trying X and Y approaches" instead of "I don't know how to do this."

    #2 Code Review Drama Your code WILL need fixes - that's normal! The red flag is getting defensive or arguing with feedback. Just say "Got it, I'll fix that" and learn from it. Senior devs expect to teach you, not judge you.

    #3 The Research Rabbit Hole Yeah, blockchain moves fast, but spending whole days "researching" without shipping code gets you fired. Companies want 70% learning, 30% delivering. Set timers on your research sessions.

    #4 Oversized Pull Requests Nobody wants to review 500 lines of changes. Keep PRs small and focused. Better to have 5 small reviews than 1 massive Team Communication. Missing standups, not updating on progress, or being the "silent team member" kills trust fast. Blockchain teams move quickly - they need to know where you stand.

    Pro tip: Your technical skills got you the internship. Now it's all about communication, taking feedback well, and showing consistent progress. The blockchain space values builders who can collaborate, not lone wolves.

    Remember - internships are learning experiences. Nobody expects perfection, but they do expect professionalism and growth mindset.

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