I'm about to graduate with a Bachelor's in Computer Science, but I haven't worked on any projects yet. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and lost about what skills and experiences I should focus on as I transition from school to a job in IT. What steps do people commonly take after graduation? Is it better to start with generalist positions or try to aim for a specific niche? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
Honestly, you could aim for a junior role and apply broadly. Just try to build a few projects that interest you, even if they're simple. They don’t have to be perfect; just finish them and you'll learn a ton! That's how I landed my first job.
Just a heads up, a lot of new grads struggle for a while before landing their first job. Some end up applying to tons of positions, so don’t get discouraged if it takes time! Just keep pushing forward.
First off, it's totally normal to feel lost after graduation. When you're just starting out, focus on gaining a solid understanding of the fundamentals like data structures, software engineering principles, and some cloud basics. Don't stress too much about specializing right away; it might make more sense to explore a bit before diving deep into a niche. Building small projects is also a great way to learn and discover what you enjoy.
Don't overthink it! Just start making stuff. Projects will help you more than just theorizing about what to do. Pick a couple of topics you're curious about and build small projects around them. Put them on GitHub to show potential employers.
I agree! Starting with the basics really helped me when I switched careers. Building something, no matter how simple, will give you insights into what you like and where you want to specialize later.