My Realizations About Getting a Job as a Junior Developer

#aws #devops #career #webdev

As 2022 ends, I’ve come to my senses and decided to share my realizations about getting a job as a junior developer. 😄

Let me tell you my story 🤗

Back in college, I used to look down on myself and kept thinking I couldn’t make it. I believed I wouldn’t get a job in the IT industry. I even imagined that after graduating, I’d just take teaching methods and end up teaching in college.

But to be honest, there are a lot of opportunities for IT graduates—you just have to figure out what skills you want to build and what career path in IT you want to pursue.

When I was still a student, I was undecided about what career path to take, but I was interested in game development, mobile apps, and cybersecurity. 😎

Learning is fun in IT—you’re always solving problems and creating solutions through hardware and software development. I enjoyed working on my laptop and doing projects on my own. As an introvert, this was an advantage because I didn’t need to constantly communicate with other people—I could just focus and get the job done.

Of course, there were times when I doubted my skills and struggled to finish projects. If you’re feeling that way right now, it’s okay. Imposter syndrome happens to everyone. We don’t need to know everything. But we shouldn’t stop learning. We’re all works in progress. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and keep exploring.

Now, I’m working as a web developer and designer—and sometimes I still can’t believe it myself. Here are some tips I can give you to stay motivated and land a job as a developer:

💡 Tips for College Students in IT/CS

Keep Studying and Practicing

Create as many projects as you can. Follow tutorials, stay curious about new technologies, and keep up to date. The projects you build will not only improve your skills but can also be showcased to hiring managers.
Learn Git and GitHub

One of my regrets in college was not learning Git and GitHub earlier. Version control is extremely useful—you can track changes, commits, and save your code in repositories. Most IT companies prefer candidates who know version control tools.
Join Tech Communities

This gives you the chance to meet experienced developers. You can ask them questions about software development and even get advice about your career path. Mentors are usually kind and willing to help. Just remember—don’t rely on spoon-feeding. The goal is to learn.
Join Contests and Organizations

Competitions and research projects allow you to showcase your skills and contribute to the community. Plus, you can add these to your resume.
Work on Communication Skills

This was difficult for me as a shy person, but it’s important. Interviews require confidence, clarity, and honesty about your skills. Practicing public speaking and doing mock interviews can help you improve and prepare.
Just Apply

Don’t get discouraged by rejections. Out of hundreds of applications, one company will see your potential. Treat it like a mutual introduction—you’re getting to know them as much as they’re getting to know you.
Get an Internship

Internships give you hands-on experience in a real work environment. They’re especially valuable if they’re related to your chosen career path, and hiring managers often look for this when considering fresh graduates.
Prepare a Good Resume

Keep it neat, clear, and direct. You don’t need to include a photo. Focus on contact details, education, work experience, tech stack, certificates, and projects you want to showcase.