[jcpst]

For me it was working in a company that had a process.

My first job as a programmer I was tasked with building a replacement for an existing system. I worked by myself, and was just told to ask if I had any questions. I reported progress once a week by giving a percentage complete- for the whole project. That’s it.

The next job I was supposed to be a consultant. But I was so clueless- I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Eventually I was canned.

Finally The got somewhere that had a defined agile process- I started getting work done and was even able to mentor some people. Then I flourished and now I’m pretty comfortable with where I’m at.

If it’s not going right, the position might not be a good fit.