I'm in my third year (fifth semester) of a computer science engineering program, and I'm feeling lost because I still don't know how to code. I don't entirely blame the university for this, as I've heard that many students need to focus on developing their coding skills outside of the curriculum, which seems to fall short for job preparation. With the overwhelming amount of assignments and exams, I never allocated time to learn coding, and I recognize that others manage to balance it better than I do.
The problem now is that my university requires students to secure an internship during the upcoming semester break (December 2nd), and I have no relevant skills to showcase on my resume. I'm also not performing well academically, so I'm feeling like an average engineering student overall. With final exams approaching, including practicals and written papers, I'm unsure how to manage everything and learn enough coding to qualify for an internship. What should I do?
4 Answers
It sounds like a tough spot to be in! First, take a deep breath and try to start coding, even if it's just a little bit every day. YouTube has tons of tutorials for beginners, and websites like Codecademy can help you get started quickly. Focus on a specific language like Python if you can; it's beginner-friendly and widely used. If you can manage a couple of hours a week, it will add up! Just remember to prioritize your exams too.
Not everyone at an IT company actually codes, you know? Some roles like product owner or project manager just need good organizational skills. If you're more interested in those paths, go for internships in those areas instead! It might relieve some pressure while you figure out coding.
Honestly, it sounds like your university is missing some crucial coding components in the curriculum. Coding is essential in any science program nowadays. If you're behind, maybe consider doing some self-study with resources like freeCodeCamp, which has project-based learning that could boost your skills in a short time. You could even look for internships that focus on roles like project management or QA, where coding might not be a core requirement!
I feel you! I'm in my second year and have only taken an intro to Python course, so I'm also trying to build a solid foundation before moving on. It’s great to focus on catching up without stressing too much.
Doesn't your university push labs and projects as part of the foundational courses? Those should be building your skills early on! If you're not getting enough coding practice, I'd definitely suggest reaching out to professors or classmates for extra resources or sessions to help you catch up!
I appreciate the advice, but I honestly have no clue where to even begin with coding. My schedule is packed with exams and I feel so overwhelmed!