I graduated with a B.S. in Computer Engineering back in August of 2021. Back then, I had just quit my job at a local sandwich shop and had begun my job hunt to become a Software Engineer. I was confident and excited about where the road ahead would lead me.

Fast forward just under a year later and… I am without a Software Engineering job, though, not without a lack of trying. In fact, I have received quite a few interviews, including getting to the final interview round at a MAMAA(formerly FAANG) company, or whatever the acronym is nowadays. However, as evident by the fact that I am not celebrating that I got the job, I did not in fact pass that stage of the interview process for this particular company.

Through all the interviews that I have experienced, I have learned many lessons along the way, which have also enlightened me to my biggest regret…

I underestimated how personal projects could impact opportunities in finding a Software Engineering job.

Now, what do I mean by this? On my resume, I actually have some unique projects compared to some other right out of college CS, SE, or CE/CMPE graduates. I have worked on a prototype device for my internship. I have worked on a microcontroller board to create an MP3 player using FreeRTOS. But, in terms of the simple projects, I had neglected them. I had not built even a simple portfolio website. I had not worked on a mobile app. I haven’t even dared to touch on figuring out how to use a database. And why is that?

Well, I, the naive college graduate that I am, believed the projects I had and the skills I had gained through my various classes would be enough to land me the job of my dreams. And well, it has not worked out the way I thought.

As I said before, I have recieved interviews, and I have gone to the final rounds of a couple, so it’s not that I believe I won’t get a job someday soon. It’s more that, because I didn’t dabble in doing more personal projects, I have limited my opportunities in what jobs I could apply for.

For example, many companies are looking for Front End, Back End, or Full Stack Engineers to work on their websites. And, since I had not even learned HTML outside of a random class in middle school, I have thus avoided applying for such jobs.

I took (and dropped) an elective course on creating mobile applications, as the class required that I needed a MacBook to code, and not having a MacBook, I dropped the class after the first day. That soured me on wanting to create Andriod or IOS mobile apps, and thus, any job postings like Mobile Application Engineer, I scrolled past.

Recently, I caught Covid, right around the time I was waiting on the MAMAA company to get back to me on if I would move past the final interview round. Staying in my room, I had much time to reflect on my journey nearly 1 year after graduating. Being told I was not able to move on from that final round at this MAMAA company made me ponder my thoughts even more. And I realized how much I have limited myself on what opportunities to pursue.

Despite being rejected in the final interview rounds for a MAMAA company, it actually increased my confidence that I had what it takes to land a job sooner rather than later. However, I have changed my mentality on limiting myself. I will no longer stay regretting not having more personal projects, or learning new skills.

How you may ask?

Well, first, I created this website. This website will be used both as my Portfolio and my Blog. To code this website, I had to learn HTML and CSS to add structure and style to my website. Bro Code has some great tutorials on both, both videos clocking in at an hour long. Bro Code teaches in a more practical manner, explaining languages in a easy to learn fashion, and I suggest if you are looking to wanting to make your own website, Bro Code is your guy to learn from.

While I have not fully learned JavaScript, I also added some scripts to my site. You will find the carousel slider in the Projects section and the responsive nature of my navbar turning into a drop down hamburger menu at smaller widths.

With these news skills, I have implemented my first portfolio website, and entered the realm of Front End, though I still have ways to go before feeling confident on applying for Front End positions, I feel I am on track on opening up those opportunities sooner rather than later.

Second, I will continue to brush up on my coding interview skills. While I have gone to the final rounds of some opportunities, I could of had more interview oppurtunities and possibly landed a job if I took the coding round of these technical interviews more seriously. It’s not enough just to know Data Strucutures and Algorithms at a conceptual level, but to actually answer coding questions, while controvertial for some, is at this point a necessary skill on its own to land a Software Engineering or Developer job. I may write more on how I will improve on this aspect in another post, so stay tuned. For now, all I can say is, just grind that LeetCode when possible.

Lastly, I will begin on teaching myself new skills. Now I know what some of you are thinking, that this could lead to tutorial hell. And I am aware I may have to walk that fine line. However, I will try to go about this differently, and rather than just watching videos, I will try to find ways to learn, whether the way I am learning implements projects that I can learn skills practically, or I will try to use the skills I gain to make projects on my own, even if I may not be fully well versed yet.

Some options I am looking at in this aspect are Automating The Boring Stuff With Python by Al Sweigart, or 30 Days of JavaScript from the GitHub repo by Asabeneh. Both seem like good starting points, as while I have written a few scripts in both languages, I am by no means an expert, or even comfortable writing basic code with either. I also am thinking about possibly learning mobile development, though that may be for another time.

No matter which I choose, I will make an effort to document my journey as I continue to build my skills in my blog. I will give updates on what I am learning, posts trying to reteach what I have learned, and overall any updates regarding my pursuit of becoming a Software Engineer.

If you have made it this far, and have enjoyed your stay, would you kindly share this article. It would be much appreciated. If you have any advice, I suggest scrolling down to my contact form, any suggestions on improving myself, this website, or any other comments you may have would be greatly appreciated.

Until next time, wherever, and whenever you are, I hope you have an amazing day. Signing off.

UPDATE July 26, 2022