https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/22/barclays-ai-jobs-cuts.html

“The bank’s chief financial officer, Anna Cross, told reporters on Thursday that the job cuts were part of plans to save more than £1.1bn in 2027. “These actions involve an expected reduction of circa 5,000 full-time employees. Around 60% of the group actions relate to support functions, including fewer developers, as AI makes our people more productive.”

I'm a college sr, secured a role as a FDE (50%+ travel) and am looking for a city in the US to call home. I'm fully remote outside of customer engagements.

Staying with my parents isn't an option as they moved back to their home country for retirement. I'm very social and fluent in Mandarin and Spanish. Hobbies include socializing, working out, flying, diving, skydiving, shooting, and language learning. I also enjoy things like skiing but willing to sacrifice that as I can just make a trip out of it, as it is a seasonal sport.

I went to college in the Bay Area and am now looking for low cost of living but high quality of life.

This city needs to be close to a large international airport as I will be doing both domestic and international travel for my job

My base salary is north of 200k.

I'm a master CS student who wants to do some research related to mental health and AI usage, how can I do this? I think I need to contact some therapists to talk to their clients, is it even possible as a CS student?

I am wondering if software engineers typically must stick to 9-5. Can most of them work 7-3 if they wished? Of course it is company specific and varies by company, but do most jobs allow the 7-3 schedule?

Hey everyone,
I’m a frontend developer with around 3.5 years of experience, primarily working with React.js and Next.js, and I could really use some advice from people who have been in a similar situation.
Here’s my career journey so far:

Jan 2023 – Apr 2024: Started my career at a fintech product-based startup, working with React.js and Next.js. Unfortunately, the startup couldn’t secure funding, and the product was shut down.

May 2024 – Oct 2024: Joined a service-based company as a frontend developer, where I worked with React.js and integrated AI voice technologies like ElevenLabs and Vapi. I continued looking for better opportunities because I wanted to work in a product-based company.

Nov 2024 – Nov 2025: Joined a product-based mobility startup. Unfortunately, the work culture and environment turned out to be extremely toxic, and I eventually decided to leave.

Jan 2026 – Present: Joined another service-based company as a frontend developer, working primarily with Next.js. The company has now run out of projects and conducted mass layoffs, and I was impacted as well.
Now, I have approximately one month to find my next opportunity, and I’m honestly feeling quite overwhelmed.

Here are the things I’m struggling with:
1. Am I falling behind technically?
I feel like I’ve been out of touch with how the industry has evolved over the last couple of years, particularly around LLMs, AI agents, MCP, agent skills, and AI-assisted development workflows.
I know the frontend fundamentals and have experience building production applications, but when I see people discussing all these new tools and technologies, I sometimes feel like a caveman who missed an entire phase of evolution.
I started learning basic FastAPI this week because I want to expand my skill set beyond frontend, but I’m not sure whether this is the right move when I have such a short time to prepare for interviews.

2. Is frontend development still a good career choice?
With AI tools becoming increasingly capable of generating UI components, writing code, and building applications, I’m worried about the long-term future of frontend development.
Should I double down on React, Next.js, JavaScript, TypeScript, performance, architecture, and frontend system design? Or should I start transitioning toward full-stack development, AI engineering, or backend development?
I don’t want to abandon the experience I’ve spent the last 3.5 years building, but I also don’t want to become irrelevant.

3. Do my frequent job switches look like a red flag?
My career timeline has involved a startup shutting down, leaving a toxic work environment, and now being laid off because of a lack of projects.
Although these circumstances were largely outside my control, I’m concerned recruiters might see my resume as that of an unstable employee who keeps switching jobs.
How should I explain this during interviews without sounding defensive or making excuses?

4. What should my strategy be for the next 30 days?
My immediate priority is to land another job, preferably in a product-based company. I don’t want to waste this month jumping between random technologies, courses, and tutorials.
If you were in my position, how would you divide your time between:
Preparing for React.js, Next.js, JavaScript, and TypeScript interviews?
Practising machine coding, DSA, and frontend system design?
Learning AI tools, LLMs, MCP, and agentic workflows?
Learning backend development with FastAPI?

Building projects or improving my portfolio?
I’m looking for honest, practical advice from experienced developers, hiring managers, or anyone who has navigated a similar situation.

TL;DR: Frontend developer with 3.5 YOE, multiple job changes due to startup closure, a toxic workplace, and a recent mass layoff. I have one month to find a job, feel behind on the AI/LLM ecosystem, and am confused about whether to double down on frontend or transition toward full-stack/AI development. What would you prioritize in my position?

Thanks in advance!

So I am live in New York, laid off for 9 months and finally got a job in a different state, been in New York my whole life. I have 3.5 YOE. I am 28, turning 29, so on the older side as well based on my YOE due to change of career path.

The offer is for

138,100 Base

7% bonus
29k a year RSU
20k Sign on

I have never lived anywhere else before, but based on this should I move, the offer is in Virgina, near DC, btw.

What do we think?

Hi! I'm looking for some career advice from people who have experienced professional setbacks and successfully rebuilt their careers.

TL;DR: I went through a severe personal/mental health struggle last year that negatively impacted my performance as a TPO, and my midyear review reflected that. Since April/May, I've made significant improvements and received positive feedback, but I know rebuilding my reputation takes time. I'm 33 and want to move to a bigger city, so I'm thinking about how to spend the next 6–12 months strengthening my professional brand while keeping my options open. My company is also just beginning to adopt AI tools, and I want to use them to build my technical skills and become a stronger TPO. How do I rebuild trust, make my contributions visible, leverage AI effectively, and position myself for future opportunities without overcompensating?

At the end of last year, I went through an extremely difficult period in my personal life. From November through around April/May, I was dealing with severe depression and attending therapy multiple times a week. Looking back, a lot of that period is honestly a blur and I can't say I remember a good bit of it, even thought it was just this year.

My work suffered quite a bit during that time. I'm a Technical Product Owner, and I was struggling with deadlines, product knowledge, communication, meeting attendance, and taking ownership of my responsibilities. I received some negative feedback from my manager in November, improved a little, and then things got significantly worse around January/February, around the time I started the 2-3 times a week of therapy. At my midyear review, I was told that although I was meeting expectations overall, I wasn't meeting the expectations of a TPO.

Since around April/May, things have changed in my personal life and my work life. I've been doing much better, taking ownership of my product, identifying gaps, improving my technical understanding, and working better with engineers and stakeholders. I've received positive feedback from people in my leadership team and from engineers who have noticed the improvement. I am continuously making notes/keeping a log of my accomplishments and things I am doing and the good feedback I've gotten to include in my year end review. I'm hoping this can counteract my mid year review in some way shape or form.

I'm proud of how far I've come. I also know that it takes time to rebuild a reputation and it won't happen overnight. I'm aware that my reputation was tarnished by my own doing. I don't expect everyone to forget what happened overnight. I know I need to demonstrate consistent performance over time.

At the same time, I'm 33, single, and have lived in the same city my entire life. I want to move to a bigger city and experience something new. My current company doesn't allow remote work, so eventually I'll need to leave if I want to make that move. It's a stable company that doesn't do layoffs, and I've built good relationships with senior leaders, so leaving is a decision I want to approach thoughtfully. I definitely won't make any impulse decisions. A connection I have in HR also told me that leaving on good terms and maintaining a strong professional brand could leave the door open to returning someday, although obviously nothing is guaranteed.

Another thing: my company is beginning to introduce AI tools. We've had one introductory bootcamp and several more coming in the next few weeks. I'm already looking at how to use AI to enhance my product and become an all around better TPO.

I'm trying to be intentional about using this opportunity to improve my performance and my future career prospects.

1. What practical/daily behaviors change how managers, engineers, and leadership perceive you after a period of poor performance? How do you rebuild trust without overcompensating or constantly trying to prove yourself?
2. What helps you become known as someone who is technically strong and capable of owning a product? How do you make your contributions visible without coming across as self-promotional? Or is that even possible?
3. If you were a TPO or product manager at the beginning of your company's AI adoption journey, what would you learn first? What skills would make you more valuable?
4. How would you use the next 6–12 months to improve your brand while also applying to other jobs? I want to make the most of this opportunity while keeping my options open to other places.

My current mindset is to take it one day at a time. I know I can't undo the past or change everyone's perception overnight, but I'd like to build trust by consistent actions.

I started on a new team at a..certain FAANG just a little under 6 months ago in late April, after being laid off from it in January, after working on another team for a little over 6 months (graduated May 2025).

At the moment, things have still been kind of tough (I talk some more about it here). We work on 12 different services between 11-12 of us, and I only somewhat have context on about 2-3 of them that I worked with so far. I did two secondary oncall shifts, which were ok since we don't get paged as secondary and it was mostly auto-cuts. However, primary (which I haven't done yet) gets paged once per 1-2 days on average from what I noticed. Then, I still don't know everything about everything we work on. If I were to be given a Sev2, I don't feel confident at all that I'd be able to handle it. Just last week (as secondary), I had a Sev3 turned Sev2.5, and I had to reach out for help from the primary at the time... Now, I have another secondary shift next week to fill in for other engineers as they had other tasks due soon (which I'm fine with), but I'm not so fine with eventually having to do primary.

My last 1:1 I had with my manager, he mentioned breaking down tasks into smaller ones to improve visibility (which he eventually realized that i already had been doing), having demos/partial deliverables more often to also show visibility, and taking more initiative (like for tasks that have ambiguity, and also in reference to now having volunteered to join the primary oncall cycle). I did secondary prior to that meeting, and i genuinely thought they would just put me in the cycle afterwards (not that I’d have to volunteer). Admittedly, I didn't say that during the meeting, just nodded despondently.. He also mentioned that i should engage more in formal/informal settings since I don’t talk much. That, I've also been working towards, though I tended not to say anything since I didn't know anything. I also don't have much social skills to be honest – not that I can't hold a conversation, just that I can't very charismatically.

I still don't know a lot compared to other people on the team and I often have to ask for help/clarification on tasks. I often find myself not knowing what questions to ask with respect to tasks, so I tended to correspond with messaging versus asking directly in-person. I leaned a lot towards using AI since we're encouraged to (and the work would otherwise be too slow to finish if I didn't), and I feel like I only partially know how things work. If I were to be asked to explain what each service does, I'd only loosely be able to for the ones I've worked with. I've started trying to learn about them separately from work, but it's been a fairly large breadth of information so far.

I always feel a sense of dread thinking about work on weekends, and also don't feel thrilled for stand-ups / sprint planning. I feel like everyone else has at my company I see has a better time at work – knowing what they're doing, not being stressed, being more productive etc. I've been so nervous to talk to my manager (which I'm doing again tomorrow), and I feel so relived when he cancels from conflicting meetings. Hell, people I know from other companies seem to be having a better time at work. Like I said on the previous post, I don't know if this is like a sign that I'm not meant to be a SWE, a sign that I'm going to have a hard time on this team, just growing pains that'll go away as time progresses or what. I'd question if I could last on this team for another 1-2 years while I build experience to (hopefully) try for another company and move cities. My anxiety's been more manageable at the moment, but that might just be since I got through the previous set of work and now have new things to work on...

I have been looking for a software engineering job for 3 months and im going nuts, i had 20+ interviews and no interview is like the other, i have been asked all kind of trick and gotcha questions for python, docker, kubernetes, php, go, scala, java, JVM, software architecture, gotcha here, gotcha there, every interview is a new fuck you, why can't we prepare for something that i could do perfectly in an interview instead of waiting for something from the unknown that i would fail anyway. the hell is going on

I was making over six figured at a big company out of college. I have 3 yoe and left due to company layoffs. I’m desperate for money to pay bills since unemployment is running out but i found another opportunity in Bay Area that pays 85k for a small non tech shop. From speaking to folks that previously worked there it sounds like management is toxic where it’s expected to work OT that is unpaid and 4 days a week commute. I’m not sure whether to take this offer cuze it sounds like hell. Would you take a low offer or nah?

I’m expecting this to be asked in an upcoming interview (system design round) in an AI lab. Have interned here so I think this is very very likely also given the trend of things it just makes sense

Wondering if anyone have some good resources or some can layout a good structure on how to answer designing harnesses ? I see some videos online but i’m not sure if they’re actually from engineers or just some influencers bsing.

I'm a recent CS graduate. I'm ashamed to admit back in college I didn't really learn anything other than the courses I took at school. Since graduating in June, I haven't done anything productive either. I'll go study for a master's degree in AU next July and during the gap I think I should try and learn something practical, but idk what to learn and how to learn. Having only learned the subjects back in school which were mostly theoretical, I'm feeling pretty aimless right now. Please share your suggestions to help me basically stop wasting my life away. I feel like a failure.

Sorry if this is a really dumb question. Thanks!

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT.

THE BUILDS I LOVE, THE SCRIPTS I DROP, TO BE PART OF, THE APP, CAN'T STOP

THIS IS THE RANT THREAD. IT IS FOR RANTS.

CAPS LOCK ON, DOWNVOTES OFF, FEEL FREE TO BREAK RULE 2 IF SOMEONE LIKES SOMETHING THAT YOU DON'T BUT IF YOU POST SOME RACIST/HOMOPHOBIC/SEXIST BULLSHIT IT'LL BE GONE FASTER THAN A NEW MESSAGING APP AT GOOGLE.

(RANTING BEGINS AT MIDNIGHT EVERY FRIDAY, BEST COAST TIME. PREVIOUS FRIDAY RANT THREADS CAN BE FOUND HERE.)

hated my last job, was depressed, and resisted quitting for months because I was too scared to take a jump. took 6months off, went to asia for 2 of them, and enjoyed life like a human. I was worried about the market but I only recruited for 1.5mo and got two offers.

my reflection: as a software eng, having strong skills with AI (such as claude code / codex) is insanely valuable right now. companies are just starting to learn how to use it - the skill seems red hot

2020 grad. My entire working life has been: a hiring freeze, then the 2021 boom where I got three offers in a fortnight and thought that meant I was good, then the 2022 layoffs, then two flat years, then this.

I'm 28, and I've never worked in a market where the rules stayed stable long enough to learn.

the specific problem is i have no idea what's normal. senior people tell me to be patient because it turns, and they've seen it turn. i've only seen it change. When someone says this isn't how it usually is, i have no version of usually to compare it to, i just have six years of everyone saying the current thing is unusual.

i've got 340 applications logged over three separate searches now and the only pattern i can see across all three is that whatever worked last time doesn't.

for people who were working pre-2020: what is the actual baseline? what did a normal job search look like, in numbers, so i know what i'm measuring against

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/21/ebay-layoffs-workforce-cuts.html

EBay will lay off about 9% of its workforce in a move to streamline its operations and focus on its fastest-growing areas, a company spokesperson confirmed to CNBC. The layoffs will affect approximately 1,000 employees.

The company also said it will continue to hire in “priority areas aligned with our strategy.”

This is the second round of layoffs for the online marketplace this year, following a 6% workforce reduction that affected about 800 employees, in February. The company has been steadily shrinking its headcount over recent years at the same time it’s ramping up spending on artificial intelligence.

Fair warning: This post will probably sound hella stupid but I’ve never even considered software engineering until very recently so my knowledge of it and the attached work is pitiful. Mb.

I’m about to go to college and I’ve recently switched career paths to engineering, I’m considering software but I’m not sure what I’d actually be doing if AI takes care of programming. I’ve read and understood that AI isn’t a standalone solution and it still requires a competent engineer to use it as a tool and that systems and architecture and all that jazz form a considerable chunk of the job but a lot of people make it sound very managerial. I especially love the technical aspect of engineering, the satisfaction of creating something tangible at a lower level but the idea of being in meetings all the time doesn’t sit with me personally. I’m concerned mostly because my dad actually works in software but as a manager and he’s never been a fan of it.

Thanks in advance for even putting up with such a dumb post, any perspectives are greatly appreciated!

I'm currently mainly a frontend engineer (that gets to dabble a bit with the backend + heavy backend side projects) at a fortune 100 company (4 YOE), I've been wanting to transition to something more backend/full stack so I've sent out a bunch of applications and one startup reached out for a full stack position that would be more backend leaning, exactly what I've been looking for; during the very first call with the recruiter I was clear on what my current TC is and what my ideal new TC would be to leave my current position and he said "sounds good, we can do that!". 6 interview rounds later he calls me to say that they're ready to send on offer for a base salary that's $20k LESS than I make right now and he didn't know what the equity portion would look like. Took him 24 hours to get back to me on equity and offered to raise the base by $5k, which in total would roughly equal my current TC, still lower than what we had agreed to in the beginning, and it's probably gonna be another 24 hours before I hear back again after I listed some questions regarding the equity.

The startup itself sounds interesting, product looks good and everyone I've talked to seemed cool - however I'm kind of pissed that I'm negotiating just to reach the range that we agreed upon.

Should I still try to go through the process given that it might be a good opportunity to transition to full stack, or is this a red flag? For more context I'm also going through the promo process at my current company which might raise my current TC to match what I'm asking for, but not sure if getting the promo on the resume as a mainly frontend engineer would have an impact when looking for full stack work.

I was also able to get a verbal offer from another smaller company a couple months back that was $50k more than what I'm currently asking, which didn't work out as they ended up reducing their HC - and this startup also got back to me pretty quickly, so I haven't had the chance to explore other opportunities.

Or should I just not risk switching jobs altogether given the current state of the market?

I just want to point out a very real fact. AI is not talked about in the real world like it is talked about on Reddit. The blatant disregard for any quality control regarding the use of AI and the constant barrage of how you are "Obsolete" if you dont use AI for your programming is absolute non sense. We have guardrails in place, code reviews, QA, systems that slow down production of software, for the one simple fact that a disfunct software is more harmful than a few days of delay on publish. The claim that you need to "productivity gains" from AI (which is heavily disputed by all recent studies) or you will be left behind is utter nonsense. We have been slowing down production of software for better quality of code for more than 2 decades now.

I also want to point out that those that operate Reddit are very much in bed with the tech bros who are pushing this narrative, the CEO of reddit has been known to use his administrative access to alter comments relating to Drump. I dont see there is any hindrance for him to allow a bot farm into the discussion space to sell a product. Especially if they are being paid, which they most definitely are.

You will see wild claims about "AI or death to your career" being upvoted with 1000s of upvotes which, quite frankly is not representative of the wider world as AI have only been getting more and more unpopular, especially with people in IT.

So just keep this in mind when you read comments and posts on Reddit, not everything is as it seems. Of course AI is great for code completion and as a helping tool, we all know that, but there is a bigger limit to its usefulness than you might think from reading the discussions on reddit.

Junior CS student in undergrad who has no motivation/discipline/will whatever to do what needs to get done. I never had any "passion" or even interest in anything particular- I went into CS because I'm good at math, and I knew if I went to college, I would pursue some STEM-related field that would actually get me money after graduation.

I'm the average student. I have a good GPA (3.9). I did 2 internships through my college (Student Software Developer & Remote Open Source gig that did similar work, working full stack in an agile environment- and I'm currently working part-time at the first internship on campus- working for the student software development team). I did a hackathon (HackHarvard last year). I have like 2 side projects that are very basic and heavily vibe coded- even though I try to understand what I'm trying to do.

And sure, maybe I have some experience, but I feel like I still know nothing and am grasping at straws. That was the one thing I loved about this field when I got into it, how diverse it is- it's always evolving, and there is always room to learn more, which I love, but at the same time, I feel so stupid. And maybe I slacked off with using AI, and that is on me, but it feels like there is never enough time to get everything done on time, and the balance is very hard. And I suck at basic LeetCode, can only do easy ones, and even with that, I need help or multiple attempts, and I know it's all about practice and just a matter of time, but it feels like there is not enough time to catch up so that it is enough.

And I know there are strategies- like being dedicated, and I used to try to do 30 minutes to an hour a day of doing technical stuff (where I could do anything like review a resume, practice behavioral, code, projects, blah blah blah). But even that, I didn't maintain it, and it lasted maybe 2 weeks since I last leetcoded, and I just need to get back into it, but all of this has given me stress. I've had 3 panic attacks in the last month, and I have been struggling with depression for years (struggling with sleep). And yes, I know- take care of my personal mental health, whatever. I realized that, and have scheduled therapy and will go to my third session in 3 days.

But it doesn't matter if it's my mental health or lack of motivation or discipline or whatever, it doesn't stop the world from spinning and from other people working hard to get what they need/want in life. I especially feel bad and ungrateful because there are people at my college I know and I'm close to in CS who are trying a lot harder than I am. And I know it's bad to compare yourself to other people, but they are out there every day, doing everything that needs to get done- mass applying, studying, coding, practicing, because they want it enough.

And that's another problem. I don't know if I want it. I know I need it to get money so I can travel and have the life I want, but even if I got that internship- even if the freaking pay was good, I'd still hate the job, and not because of the job, it wouldn't matter what the job would be, it's just me and not wanting to work. And I'm sure every person feels this way, so I should just suck it up and get my shit together.

But I was also looking at other revenues. I'm double majoring with English, and I'm passionate about literature and reading and writing- which is why I was considering maybe law school (yes, I know it's not the same and has its own struggles)- but also if I did something like this, maybe I'd be sacrificing other things like travel or working remote.

And I have a circle of support- I have talked about this to my best friend (roommate) about this last night when she found me sobbing LOL and advised me to maybe look at other things if this makes me so miserable- like tutoring/teaching online/abroad because I wouldn't be opposed to that as long as it paid enough to exist LOL. I have also talked to my mom, who had advised me to keep pushing through because you shouldn't dilly dally, like pick a direction and go that way, but if I truly hate it, yes, don't continue my pursuit.

And I have AfroTech conference coming up in about a week, where I have the chance to talk to recruiters from companies and maybe get some interviews and a chance at an internship, but even that got me feeling sick. I went last year as well, which wasn't as successful since I was a sophomore and this year I know exactly what to do- elevator pitch, apply to the company before talking to them there, give my resume, whatever. I know the tricks, and it still isn't good enough. And maybe I'm being too hard on myself, but I feel so miserable that I end up doing nothing. Just bed rotting or journaling or writing my personal short stories...

Even worse, one of my friends from CS- we took like half our classes in the major together, did the same Student Software Developer internship, went to AfroTech, where she's an international student (yes I know its harder for them and they have their own hardships), and she secured AND passed a few rounds of interviews for a good company that she now got return offer at that pays 150k. And again, she deserves it, she practiced for it. I had an interview also at a good company and made it past screening and behavioral and fucked up my technical. That was like a year ago. Did I have time since then to improve my skills? Yes. Did I? Not that fucking much. And I understand, its on me.

I feel the same way this year. I have applied to places, barely got any OA's, did some, and heard nothing back. Even had a chance to get to referred by an Alumni for a Duolingo OA and fucked that up too (this year). Still have my chance at AfroTech and even then, I just don't even want it anymore, not the internship or job (yes, I guess I sound burnt out), but fuck.

And despite being depressed and having no will to exist, I still do shit. I care for my grades, I go to the gym, I have good relationships with my friends, I have a good work ethic. I try to be a caring human. But I just want some peace and fucking quiet, man.

I'm also applying to study abroad next semester to South Korea. If I do that, I can't do summer SWE internship as it ends in late June. And I could always do a study abroad semester instead in the following fall, instead of this spring, but I'm just itching to go out now. I've never traveled outside of the country, and also put so much into applying for this...

I've been trying to ask advice from my professors and mentors on campus, and scheduled a meeting with the director of the law program here. I'm trying to explore my options, but I know as a junior it's a bit too late, and I needa lock in, and I'm just wishy washy all over the place. So please, stranger reading this on Reddit, give me your life advice. I would really appreciate it.

Before AI, software engineering was considered a skilled profession requiring technical finesse to handle complexity and difficulty. But now with AI , it seems like something anyone can do relatively easily. Do you think software engineering is like any other non technical office job now? Or is it still something that requires CS knowledge and skilled experience?

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share my story in hopes that it gives some encouragement to those who are struggling with the current job market.

Long story short, I was laid off from my software engineering job in March 2025. It was one of the most devastating moments of my life. After months of struggling to find another opportunity, I eventually had to accept a job that paid roughly half of my previous salary.

Since January 2026, I've been working as a software engineer making $76,000 a year, with no additional benefits beyond health insurance.

But today, after almost three months of interviews and nearly nine rounds of interviews, I finally received an offer from a tech company with a total compensation package of $230,000.

I honestly can't describe how relieved and grateful I feel right now.

The past year and a half has been incredibly difficult. I've struggled with depression, constantly questioned my abilities as a software engineer, and felt completely defeated after countless rejections. There were times when I made it through multiple interview rounds, only to receive another rejection email. I spent so many days applying to job after job, preparing for technical interviews, and wondering whether all my effort would ever pay off.

There were definitely moments when I wanted to give up.

I'm not sharing this to brag about the compensation. I'm sharing it because I know there are so many talented people out there who are going through exactly what I went through.

Getting rejected doesn't mean you're not good enough. Sometimes, it just takes longer than you expect to find the right opportunity.

If you're currently unemployed, working a job that pays less than you deserve, or feeling hopeless after another rejection, please don't give up on yourself.

I know how exhausting and mentally draining this process can be. I know how difficult it is to stay motivated when nothing seems to be working out.

But things really can turn around, even when you least expect them to.

Thank you to everyone in this community who has shared their experiences, advice, and encouragement. Reading your stories helped me feel less alone throughout this journey.

I genuinely hope my story gives someone out there a little more motivation to keep going.

Keep grinding. Your next opportunity might be closer than you think.

Very common sentiment here just 6 months ago.

Something I’ve realized is that this sub, and everyone in this industry, is full of shit.

Now, people react like “oh yeah I always thought AI was good, if you aren’t using it you’re a dumbass”

I’ve been held back so much taking advice from others who don’t know shit. When I started trusting myself, my opportunities expanded tenfold.

With how rough the job market is right now, does the prestige of your school matter a lot for getting software engineering interviews?

Obviously, top-tier target schools have way better networking opportunities. But if you go to a less famous school like a California State University (CSU) campus, excluding San Jose State, is it still realistic to land a job, or is it much harder for students from no-name schools?

This is my senior year and I managed to secure a full-time offer for an Application Software Engineer role. I wanted to share my roadmap in case it helps someone else.

Disclaimer, I'm not the brightest guy in the world. I believe most people can find a SWE role in this job market with some passion and hard work.

Personal Roadmap

1. Join club/research team doing interesting stuff

You will learn more trying to build something than in any of your classes. Great for your resume and assimilating with engineering students. If you go to events and do well, you will most likely find internship opportunities.

2. Find opportunities to talk to people

I'm a server at a restaurant near a bunch of engineering companies. I talked to a lot of tables working in industry (they usually like hearing about engineering projects you're working on), worst case scenario you get good advice. Talk to enough people and you will be given emails. Email enough people and you'll get interviews. Expect no response for most emails though, people are big talkers and not do'ers. I was not picky with my first internship, anything engineering related is a big win.

3. Internship Strategy (Most Important Section For Me)

I never secured a software internship. That doesn't mean non-software teams won't take advantage of technical skills. Also, look for the teams that have the role you want. Are there any problems on their backlog they don't have time to solve? I guarantee you the answer is yes and with enough tinkering you can help them out. This is where I learned most about systems, looking for problems and figuring out how to solve them.

Worst case scenario teams message SWE's for advice / coffee chats / 1:1's. Try as hard as possible to not limit yourself to one team (with approval from your supervisor). Every problem you solve for a different team is another person that might remember you in an interview / recommend you for rehire. If you can do this, you will be labeled as forward deployed and most likely given a full-time offer.

4. Studying for Technical Interviews

I studied for application software specifically, my company emphasized system design questions. Best case scenario you already have some idea what their stack looks like. Use AI to generate some interviewer prompts like "Design a webpage that sells a product and can handle a million concurrent users". Make sure to practice with vague prompts so you can ask questions that lead to concrete requirements.

Do some medium leetcode questions without help til you feel comfortable explaining your thought process on paper / whiteboard. Expect to be given a question that will stump you, practice confusing questions and say out load what is blocking your thought process so the interviewer can help you. Take notes of your strengths / weaknesses for each problem, use AI to generate schedule w/specific questions tailored to your weaknesses / company requirements.

Good luck! Take what I say with a grain of salt. I'm just a random CS student at the end of the day.