I'm a BSc CSIT student currently in my third semester. I have to admit that I wasted my first year on games and scrolling through reels, so I don't have any real skills or projects to show for it. Now that I've come to terms with my situation, I'm serious about coding and my career, but I'm feeling quite overwhelmed. I've come across a lot of contradictory advice online: some say to start with web development, others warn that web dev is saturated, and then there's talk about AI taking over developer jobs. The catch? I honestly don't know what I'm truly interested in. Web development feels like the default option, but with all the changes in the tech landscape, I'm anxious about choosing a path that may not be valuable in a few years. I really want to avoid overthinking and end up stalled again. I'm ready to put in the effort, so I'm just looking for some clear guidance on where to begin for building a solid foundation.
5 Answers
Start by learning electronics alongside your CS classes. Get a cheap microcontroller and try to build cool projects. You could also check out Pico8 Fantasy console for making games. It’ll boost your skills while keeping the fun alive!
Focus on building projects that interest you and are challenging but doable with your current skills. You’ll end up adding real value to your portfolio. Keep in mind that most concepts you learn will apply across the tech world, so don’t get too caught up in worrying about the market relevance of specific fields. You might surprise yourself and discover new interests as you create!
Don't worry! You're still in your second year, which means you have plenty of time to explore. Try out different areas like AI, web development, robotics, or cybersecurity. Finding what you enjoy might take time, but the exploration is part of the learning process. Dive in and see what excites you.
It's totally normal to feel lost at this stage; you're still early in your journey. I didn’t figure it out until my third year when I stumbled across computer graphics. Keep experimenting with different areas until something clicks. Web development is valuable, but many concepts transfer to other fields too, so don’t stress too much about it right now.
Why not try making a simple game using web-based technology? It can be straightforward, like creating a basic version of the dinosaur game you see in Chrome. It would be a fun project and a good way to learn!
Exactly, build the things you want! It's amazing how motivation spikes once you start committing to a project. You'll learn a ton!