“What are alternative career paths to secure an SWE job when facing challenges in finding one after six months? #SWE #careeradvice
Seeking Insight
If you’ve been unsuccessful in landing an SWE job within six months, it’s time to explore other opportunities that can potentially lead you to your desired role. Here are some actionable steps to consider:
- Transition to Help Desk IT: Consider taking up a help desk IT job as a stepping stone towards an SWE role. This experience can provide valuable skills and insights that may be transferable to software engineering.
- Continuous Learning: Keep enhancing your skills and knowledge by earning certifications. This demonstrates your commitment to learning and staying updated in the industry.
Exploring Other Paths
Beyond the aforementioned options, there are several alternative routes you can explore to pave your way to an SWE role:
- Quality Assurance (QA) Testing: Pursuing a QA testing position can give you hands-on experience in software development processes and quality assurance, setting a strong foundation for transitioning to an SWE role.
- Technical Support Specialist: Working as a technical support specialist can help you develop problem-solving skills and technical expertise, which are highly valued in the field of software engineering.
- Project Management: Building experience in project management can equip you with valuable leadership and organizational skills that are essential for SWE roles, especially in larger organizations.
By exploring these alternative career paths and gaining relevant experience, you can increase your chances of securing an SWE job in the future. Remember that every experience contributes to your professional growth and can ultimately lead you to your desired role. Stay proactive, adaptable, and committed to your career advancement. #careergrowth #softwareengineering“
Neither a help deal job, nor certifications are stepping stones to SWE jobs. You keep applying, networking, doing projects to keep your skills sharp, and practicing for interviews. That being said, there is no shame in taking an unrelated job for money.
Janitor at tech company and work your way up
i heard welding is the next big thing
Perhaps QA or project management?
> Try to help desk IT job. I believe this can lead it’s way into an SWE role.
IT Help desk has nothing in common with SWE. The only way you’re making it is if you already have a background in CS.
taco bell
QA is a good option or technical support engineer
Certs are pretty much useless unless a job specifically requires the cert. Theres a dude I know from high school who is trying to break into tech with no formal cs degree, all he posts on linkedIn are him constantly completing and getting certs, but the dude has no projects and potentially no applicable skills.
You are way better off spending your time doing projects (unique ones, not following youtube tutorials) than you are getting certs. And help desk is no different than working at chipotle, unless you are actually automating processes beyond your job description to make things more efficient or something. But most places wont even let you.
Get a CS degree and you may have a chance right now….to get a phone screen. Laid off FAANG engineers are having a hard time getting interviews right now and are taking jobs at 50k…. Good luck
Urban camping in Tenderloin SF, use computers in the public libraries to apply/rewrite resume/leetcode. Get a planet fitness membership and go to networking events.
If you got a degree avoid the help desk path especially if you’re not trying to become a network engineer, security engineer, or some sort IT engineer… it can be hard to get out of. Try to improve your resume, network more, and work on your portfolio.
Source: I worked as an IT engineer and saw a lot of people sink in the help desk role.
Ensure you aren’t making the mistake of not looking outside of the tech industry. Aerospace/defense, telecom, biotech, government, utilities, automotives, all need SWE.
What certifications are available?
Have you tried working on an actual project? Nothing looks better on a CV than a personal project. In all that time you did some certs you could have had some app developed.
I took a helpdesk job and got side projects inside the company in SW, they were happy to have someone help them out for free.
So either it is SWE or helpdesk? You do know there are other jobs right?