Struggling with career growth after 5 years as backend engineer - seeking guidance

Backend
1

Looking for advice from experienced developers on advancing my career

I’ve been working as a backend engineer for about 5 years now and I’m starting to feel stuck. While my salary is decent, I often feel like I’m not earning it because my daily tasks seem pretty straightforward.

Here are some challenges I’m facing:

  • When I get tasks that aren’t clearly defined, I tend to avoid them instead of tackling them head-on
  • My coding skills are solid, but that seems to be where my strengths end
  • During technical discussions and architecture meetings, I rarely speak up or offer ideas
  • I process information slowly and usually understand concepts after meetings are over rather than in real-time

I’m dealing with some anxiety issues which make everything feel more overwhelming. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? What steps did you take to push past these barriers and develop into a more well-rounded engineer?

Any practical advice on building confidence in ambiguous situations or improving participation in technical discussions would be really helpful.

2

I’ve been in the same spot after years of backend work. What helped me was treating unclear tasks as learning opportunities rather than obstacles. I found that quick calls with stakeholders when requirements seem fuzzy can significantly boost your confidence. In meetings, I usually prepare one insightful question in advance to contribute meaningfully without feeling overwhelmed. It’s also okay to process information at your own pace; taking notes and following up later can enhance the thoughtfulness of your input. Consider finding a mentor at your company, as they can provide valuable guidance. If anxiety is a challenge, seeking professional help alongside career development can be beneficial.

3

been there! what helped me was deliberately tackling those vague tasks, even when they felt intimidating. start small though - maybe ask your lead to pair with you on unclear requirements? anxiety sucks, but talking to a professional really made a difference for me. you’ve got this!

4

hey owen, i totally get where you’re coming from! just curious, do you find it hard to express your ideas during meetings because you think they might not be good enough? also, have you considered trying to write down your thoughts after discussions? it might help you articulate better next time!