#Embarrassed #NetworkingEvent #FeelingStupid
When you find yourself in a situation where you think you embarrassed yourself, it can be easy to spiral into feelings of insecurity and self-doubt. Recently, I experienced a similar scenario at a networking event during my second semester of learning software development at a community college. A professional approached me, and as we conversed, I couldn’t help but feel like I looked dumb.
##Facing the Problem
During our conversation, the professional mentioned terms like Git, GitHub, and Linux, which left me feeling lost and inadequate. I found myself struggling to articulate my experience with building projects, only able to mention simple creations like a calculator or a rock-paper-scissors game. The questions he asked made me question my knowledge and capabilities, leaving me with a sense of embarrassment and self-criticism.
##Practical Solutions
###1. Self-Education
Instead of dwelling on my perceived shortcomings, I decided to take proactive steps to enhance my skills and understanding. I began self-teaching Git and GitHub to bridge the knowledge gap that had previously led to my embarrassment. By using resources like Git Bash and following along with instructional videos, I empowered myself to grow and improve.
###2. Seeking Support
After sharing my experience online, I was met with an outpouring of support and encouragement from others who had faced similar situations. This sense of community and understanding reassured me that making mistakes and experiencing moments of embarrassment is a natural part of growth and learning.
###3. Embracing Growth Mindset
By reframing my perspective on the situation, I shifted from viewing my encounter as a point of failure to seeing it as an opportunity for growth. Embracing a growth mindset allowed me to recognize that each experience, no matter how challenging or embarrassing, contributes to my personal and professional development.
In conclusion, moments of embarrassment can serve as catalysts for personal growth and self-improvement. By acknowledging our vulnerabilities and actively seeking solutions to address them, we can turn perceived failures into valuable learning experiences. Remember, you are not alone in feeling embarrassed or inadequate – take a deep breath, embrace the journey of growth, and continue moving forward with confidence.
I get that feeling even after 7 years in the field. Use the feeling to dive into what you don’t know. To me it’s just a feeling to help me realize glaring gaps in my knowledge, which tends to happen with how I learn
bro! Thats okay!!! You are just in the begginer. We have done all those projects in the beginning. You should be proud of that as far as you were honest. We do not judge others because they are in the beginning and dont know how to answer some questions.
If you wanna go deep, just learn by yourself because at college it will take some more time to have the professional knowledge of the tools that are being used right now.
If you actually have a portfolio you’re already ahead of many of my peers when I graduated. One thing I’ve learned during my career (and especially undergrad) is that there’s some really bad and behind developers with degrees.
But, those who networked and put the effort in still got jobs and have a good careers. The fact you’re talking to people and making connections is huge, and will help you immensely.
Idk what position you’re in (as far as graduating) but keep that guys contact info and don’t be afraid to reach out with a nice/friendly message asking about potential work. It sucks to hear for some people, but the truth (imo) is that networking is the best way to guarantee a job. If you’ve talked in person they will give you the time of day, and you’re no longer just an meaningless online profile.
we all start somewhere, i’m still doing the basics writing print statements with a few variables in there etc etc.
So you might want to look into “the Odin project”. Some people have learned programming from it and it starts out hitting strong foundational info that impresses employers – including git and GitHub and even Linux on windows.
I’ve done a 10 month bootcamp, didn’t get a job, started Odin project to get more exposure and surprised how much I’ve learned and I am just one week in and only half through the starting foundations project.
Easily just a week of motivated Odin would have made you answer those questions much stronger
No need to feel bad for talking like a beginner when you are in fact a beginner, that is normal.
If you think you committed some kind of social faux pas, no biggie, this is an opportunity to learn from it and make the next interaction better.
It’s when you don’t learn from mistakes that it becomes a problem.
Btw, as an experienced engineer, I don’t look down on inexperienced engineers, i was one too and still am in a ton of areas.
The only time i “look down” on someone is if they are being a dick.
You are not an Idiot, you’re just a beginner. we all started somewhere.
we’re not born with knowledge about version control or Linux operating systems. we learn those as we decide to get a career in IT.
No shame at all in not knowing something. Now you know what you are missing .. just get more knowledgeable about it.
Then you will find out that you are missing other things, go learn them .. it is an ongoing process that never ends.
Imagine if you hadn’t talked to them. You’d still not know what Github and Linux are! Don’t get trapped by not wanting to feel stupid, it’s normal and you’re better and closer to your goals now that you put yourself out there.
I felt like this during my first hackathon. At the time, I didn’t know how to code at all and felt out of place.
Dog you’re in your second semester at CC. You are dumb but you’re expected to be dumb at this point. You have basically zero fundamentals yet, networking events are for your benefit to talk to some people and ask questions about the industry. Not necessarily an in depth two way technical talk
There is no shame in not knowing something as long as u want to learn. If you hadn’t found out about git, you wouldn’t know to learn it. Knowing what you don’t know is super important otherwise you’d have no hope. I think u r overthinking it.
Having more to learn is always okay but I also wanna say (other ppl can correct me if I’m wrong) that little projects like rock paper scissors or a calculator are still great projects to have (way better than no projects) because there’s a high number of people who apply for software development jobs and genuinely don’t know how to code. It might have been exaggeration but my father who’s been a programmer 20 years claims there was a period of time where the company he works was interviewing people and none of them could even do fizz-buzz.
Trust me dude I want to like 20 career fairs and walked out thinking I was a dumbass for a good 2 years. You have to be ready to be that guy. Work towards learning those things that they’re looking for. Put it into practice, not just one project. You’ll slowly start getting more practical experience and it will make these events a lot easier for you. Then one day the stars will align and you’ll land one I believe in you! Be tenacious.
Bruva, you taking the time to talk to professionals in the industry already proves to me how motivated and determined you are. We all start somewhere. No one is going to automatically be a top developer. It takes hard work and effort, just like how you went to a networking event.
There’s some philosopher out there who said, “The only thing I know is that I know nothing.”
It’s completely normal to run into people in the same field as you who have focused on work that you’ve never done yourself, and it becomes more common as you delve deeper into specialized knowledge. Don’t beat yourself up about it- use it as an excuse to keep learning.