Hey everyone, I'm really feeling stuck and could use some solid advice. I graduated last year with a degree in computer science, focusing on software engineering, and completed an internship that involved full-stack work, mainly on the frontend. However, I went through my studies in what I can only describe as survival mode. While I grasp basic concepts, building something meaningful from scratch is a struggle for me, often relying on AI tools for help. This dependency makes me feel slow and uncertain in my skills. Meanwhile, my friends have secured jobs in tech, highlighting my sense of feeling behind and lost. I'm contemplating different career paths like freelance web development, AI automation, or learning DevOps, but I feel inadequate and uncertain about how to break into the industry. My main issues are weak fundamentals, reliance on AI, lack of confidence in independent project execution, and no clear career direction. What would you recommend—should I focus on reinforcing my fundamentals, commit to a specific path, try freelancing despite my doubts, or explore other options? I'm based in Dubai, and I'm open to any honest feedback, even if it's tough to hear. Thanks!
5 Answers
It's essential to understand every line of code you write, so you know how to fix issues when they arise. Think of coding like analyzing sentences in English class. Dig into the code, grasp what it does, and learn to think like a computer. Internalizing these concepts will boost your confidence when it comes to securing a job.
I totally relate to your situation; I graduated last year as well and felt the same pressure. My advice? Just start coding! Pick a language you like, for example, C++, and work on projects from the ground up. You can lean on AI for guidance, but try to get it to explain things to you so you really understand. I created a banking system in C++, and now I'm moving into Python. The most important thing is to take action. You’ll be surprised how much you learn just by doing things, even if you feel uncertain at first!
Your AI dependency can definitely be addressed. Try working on a small project without using AI—this will be challenging, but it's crucial for rebuilding your confidence. Freelancing in web development in Dubai could be a fantastic opportunity since many small businesses need basic websites. You don’t have to be completely ready; the key is to start and learn through actual work. Once you build something on your own, your fundamentals will improve faster than you expect!
Avoid spreading yourself too thin with multiple paths. Pick one or two areas to concentrate your efforts on. Improving your AI skills is becoming a must, so consider doing some revision on your fundamentals. Test out your skills by building side projects where mistakes won’t matter—this will boost your confidence and help you recognize errors in your work before you take on client projects.
You need to quit leaning on AI so much. While it's a useful tool, depending on it too heavily can stall your learning curve. Focus on coding without AI assistance to genuinely grasp the concepts. You can certainly code without AI, and it'll be a valuable experience that builds your foundational skills. Don’t be afraid to dive in and figure things out by yourself!
Great tips! Quick question, would the same approach work for backend development? I’m not keen on frontend work but find backend tasks intriguing. Should I dive deeper into backend even if it might delay my job search, or is it better to tackle frontend for immediate roles?