How Can I Level Up My Programming Skills Before Graduating?

If you're considering further education, a math PhD could lead you towards fintech, where your background would be highly valuable. Otherwise, just keep an eye on job postings and learn the skills and technologies listed.

Building an entire application from scratch is a great way to learn. Pay attention to how software engineers document their work; learning to comment and document properly is crucial. Check out well-maintained repositories for best practices and try to mirror those in your own projects. Developing a strong portfolio with good documentation will set you apart.

Every new grad faces challenges when starting out, but many of them struggle with feedback and asking questions. To stand out, stay focused, ask for help when needed, and make an effort to read documentation related to the technologies you use. Approach your coworkers with respect, and over time you'll build a solid foundation and confidence.

There isn’t a shortcut to becoming a better programmer quickly. The best way to improve is simply by writing more code and experimenting on your own, without relying too heavily on tutorials or AI tools. Take a look at job listings that interest you and identify the skills and technologies commonly required—then focus on those areas.

To really improve, get familiar with processes like Agile, and make sure you're comfortable with version control systems like Git on platforms such as GitHub or GitLab. Also, learning about CI/CD pipelines can be beneficial. Programming itself is often easier than understanding the ecosystems and practices around it. Don't forget to pick up a popular framework like Spring or React if you haven't already!