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Choose good senior/mentor
Choosing the right mentor for career or learning advice before entering the industry is crucial. Generally, tech professionals are helpful and provide guidance without selfish motives. However, be cautious of seniors who might give incorrect information or exploit students by offering unpaid or low-paid internships under the guise of learning opportunities. Avoid making such individuals your mentors. Always verify the credibility and network of the person before seeking their guidance.
Exploring Diverse Paths in Software Engineering
Web development and data structures & algorithms (DSA) are often highlighted by content creators and influencers as key skills for landing a job in software engineering. However, there are many other valuable fields and paths within the industry. Areas such as DevOps, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, developer advocacy, cloud computing, and many more offer rewarding opportunities and can also lead to successful careers in software engineering. By exploring and developing expertise in these diverse domains, you can find unique and fulfilling career paths that align with your interests and strengths.
Open Source is Not a Job Guarantee
If you're watching YouTube videos, Instagram reels, or LinkedIn posts from tech influencers saying, "open source is the easy way to get a job," don't believe them. Contributing to open source can definitely improve your skills and teach you a lot through real-world projects. These new skills and knowledge will help you in your job search, but open source alone isn't a magic ticket. Instead of listening to random influencers, get advice from people who have real experience in open source.
Don’t Run Behind ATS Resume
Many so-called tech influencers claim that using an ATS-friendly resume can help you land jobs at companies like Google and Microsoft. This is misleading. Don’t rely on their templates. Even a simple Canva resume can be effective. What matters most is the content: your projects, work experience, and the tech stack you mention should match the job description. The idea of an ATS score is another myth, often spread by influencers without hiring experience. For example, if you upload the same resume to different ATS score checkers, you’ll get varying results.
Yes, ATS is widely used by companies, but not for the reasons you might believe from influencer posts. But for this
If you want to learn more about the ATS myth, check out these posts:
Do More Without Asking
If you're starting your first job, whether as an intern or a full-time employee, aim to take the initiative rather than waiting for tasks to be assigned to you. Be proactive, take responsibility, and continuously seek to learn. Don't wait for guidance—ask questions, take initiative, and embrace opportunities for growth.
Sukriya🙏🏼 See You Again in Fresh Issue!