Understand the nature of compounding.
I have seen many developers graduate with degrees or get jobs where they work for years or decades without compounding.
The most reliable way to achieve greatness is by CONSISTENTLY compounding.
When people ask "what do you do?", they are not necessarily asking for a job title or certification.
They just want to know, in what domain of human existence are you practicing being great?
If you desire to get better at development, and practice consistently at it, you are a developer!