SDE Murmur - Gaining Practical Experience and Being Ace on Job Hunting
Introduction:
Hi, I’m Victor.
This article is written for myself, but some advice covered here might help you find a great job. I will be studying further at Arizona State University and hope the preparations in this article help me find a better job.
Although I sometimes regret not having a more colorful academic or social life in university, I can’t change that now. I believe that what I can do is take action to enrich my life by joining English study groups or enhancing my professional skills. At least if you take action now, it’s never too late.
Main Content:
I lacked confidence and was afraid of failure, which negatively impacted my social life and internship hunting.
Past Experiences:
- To gain knowledge of backend development, I studied alone and was afraid to ask classmates with backend development experience.
- I struggled with writing my resume on my own. I think peer reviews would help improve resumes.
Lessons Learned:
- Don’t be afraid of failures because there is nothing to lose when pursuing opportunities as a student.
- Teamwork and networking are important. You can run fast on your own, but you can run much farther with a group of people.
Things Worth Investing in as an Undergraduate or Graduate Student:
- Seeking Internships: Internships allow you to explore your career path and understand if the industry aligns with your career plans.
- Study Hard and Play Hard: While academics matter, social life helps balance challenges and stress. It’s possible to build networks in student clubs.
- Changing Your Mindset on Learning: In Taiwan, high school teachers tend to teach subjects from beginning to end using textbooks. However, this is different in the workplace. Learning with specific goals is the best way to gain new skills. For example, I learn new web frameworks by reading and implementing sample codes or simple functions based on my past experience.
- Involving in Workshops and Speeches: Universities offer free resources where you can gain professional skills. Additionally, you can connect with speakers through LinkedIn and emails.
- Managing Your LinkedIn and Resume: Work on professional portfolios, including GitHub and side projects, early with friends. Stay updated on career fairs to connect with headhunters or HR professionals.