I'm about to graduate in a week, and honestly, I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. I don't have any internships or relevant work experience outside of years spent in service jobs, and I struggle with social skills. It feels daunting to be entering the job market with what I see as a weak resume.
I've decided to give myself a six-month window to find a job after graduation. If I can't make any progress within a year, I'm considering just moving on from my degree entirely. I feel my education didn't equip me well for the real world, and I've been wrestling with stress and anxiety throughout my studies.
I'm moderately familiar with some programming languages like C++, Java, and HTML/CSS but don't feel competent in them. I've been trying to think positively and plan my next steps, like joining tech study groups and working on some basic project ideas, but I still feel like I picked the wrong major. I'm in the Bay Area, where there are many job opportunities, but it seems like the entry barrier is incredibly high. What should I focus on to improve my job prospects?
5 Answers
Are you looking to become a developer or software engineer? If not, you might explore entry-level IT positions, like help desk or support roles. Your degree gives you some fundamental technical skills needed for those jobs. It could be a way to start building your career. Many people transition from support roles into more specialized areas like cybersecurity later on. But if coding is your passion, definitely keep brushing up on data structures and algorithms, since those come up quite often in developer interviews!
One suggestion is to find a job description that interests you on LinkedIn and create a project that aligns with it. Even if you feel like you’re struggling, having hands-on projects to showcase can help a lot in interviews. Just be careful not to lean too much on AI tools for coding, as they might ask you about your project in interviews, and you don’t want to come off as unprepared. Plus, the more you practice, the more confident you'll become!
Don’t underestimate your service job experience. Many folks in tech struggle with interpersonal skills, and your time in the service industry means you’ve developed a strong ability to work in teams and manage customer relations. Highlighting those skills can help you stand out to potential employers.
Honestly, you might want to consider pivoting out of computer science. If you feel like it’s not the right fit for you, exploring other areas could lead to a more fulfilling career path.
All in all, it’s important to stay proactive after graduation. Whether you choose to dive into projects, pursue internships, or start at the ground level in IT, building experience will be critical. Just keep pushing forward and stay engaged with the tech community!
That's a great idea! I'm a freshman and I'm going to use this advice as I start looking for internships.