• Lack of Onboarding: Despite being part of the backend team, I never received a proper onboarding into the codebase or architecture, which made ramping up extremely difficult.
• Poor Managerial Support: I had three different managers during my time, none of whom conducted regular 1:1s or check-ins. This left me feeling directionless and unsupported throughout my probation.
• Communication Gaps: Getting answers to questions was often slow — sometimes taking days. This significantly hindered productivity and learning.
• High Expectations, Low Enablement: Although I contributed to 30+ PRs and actively engaged with the team, there was no clear guidance or recognition of effort, leading to a frustrating and disheartening experience.
• Impact on Well-being: The lack of support, structure, and empathy — especially during a personally challenging time — negatively affected my mental health and confidence.