4 YOE Developer (non-tech background) – I can debug anything but struggle to write logic from scratch. Is this normal?
I’ve been working in IT as a developer for about 4 years now. Coming from a non-technical background, I’ve worked twice as hard to bridge the gap and understand core organizational concepts.
At this point, I’m confident in my "reading" skills. I can jump into a codebase, debug complex issues, and explain the logic behind what the team is building. However, when I’m tasked with building a brand-new API or writing a complex piece of logic from a blank slate, my confidence tanks.
I find myself constantly:
* Searching through old repositories to "copy-paste-modify" patterns.
* Leaning heavily on AI to scaffold the initial logic.
* Feeling like I don’t actually know how to build, even though I know how to fix.
I feel like a "Maintenance Specialist" rather than a "Builder."
My questions for the community:
Am I the only one who feels this way at 4 YOE?
How do I transition from "understanding" code to "architecting" it without a safety net?
For those who came from non-CS backgrounds, what helped you gain the confidence to write logic from scratch?
I’m worried I’m hitting a ceiling. Would love any advice or reality checks.