dmtech30

[dmtech30]

Ending 2023 and Navigating the Tech Terrain

As the year draws to a close, I want to look back at my software development journey and how it has been truly a mix of highs and lows. Completing a software engineering bootcamp was a significant milestone, and the experience has been both challenging and rewarding. I've gained valuable hands-on experience by collaborating in cross-functional teams, contributing to various projects, and dedicating countless hours to a hackathon. The sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing a project through, especially within tight timeframes, has truly made the journey memorable. Working alongside fellow developers and designers has not only honed my technical skills but also provided a taste of the collaborative and fast-paced nature of the software development field. I loved learning alongside people who came from different backgrounds and experiences and I look forward to more teamwork in my future.

Throughout this year, I've undergone a significant learning curve, experiencing moments of both joy and tears, and bursts of anxiety I am managing to overcome. Despite the challenges, I persevered, recognizing that my passion for integrating myself into the tech field was more profound than ever. I realized I owe it to myself to truly explore my potential and see what I can accomplish and create despite the lingering difficulties of getting my foot in the door.

I am not alone in this journey. I understand that there are thousands of us that are experiencing this extremely competitive job market as a junior software developer, whether you just recently graduated from a traditional university, a bootcamp, or coming from a self taught path. Grappling with imposter syndrome, self doubt, and feeling the weight of expectations and pressure is a commonality that I know a lot of people share at this time. It's understandable that during the job application process, everyone becomes a competitor, but I hold a great deal of empathy for those navigating this journey. It's undeniably challenging, and rejections are a universal struggle for everyone involved. I aim to add on to the plethora of resources available that helps other developers and people in general navigate the challenges of job hunting and helping people remember that their worth is not diminished by the rejections and ghosting they may encounter. In this competitive field, you are worth something.

Securing a job in software engineering or the tech industry is not a straightforward or effortless endeavor for most people right now. You need to know exactly what you're getting yourself into and truly really want this to keep pushing through and elevating yourself despite the odds.

These days I'm still learning new frameworks, algorithms, deepening my knowledge on what I have already learned, and working on a mobile development project for a client as a freelancer. Although I don't necessarily have the security of a job with benefits at the moment, what I do have is time to work on my experience. I'm learning to be grateful for the time granted to me. I'm not going to let rejections stop me from doing what I want to do and will continue to push the limits of what I'm capable of. Resilience is the audacity to keep telling yourself "Yes, I can!" even in the face of countless "No, we found someone better." There may be people who are better fit for certain positions than you for whatever reason, but you can make something out of yourself despite these rejections. It takes restructuring, re-strategizing, and resilience. I wanted to start this blog to really start sharing my experiences, resources, projects, and really a channel for me to open myself up with hopes that it may help someone who comes across this blog. If you made it this far in reading, thank you for your time and I hope you reach your goals in life and enjoyed the journey along the way :)