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Ask HN: Feeling a bit like a deer in the headlights, any advice is appreciated

4 points by life_questions ↗ HN
Right now I am in school, I graduate in the Spring. It's a top 10 school. I'm majoring in Computer Science, but I'm feeling paralyzed because I am getting zero responses for career. I have a huge bill to pay starting next year. I feel like I made a huge mistake going back to school and getting a CS degree. I think I'm feeling paralyzed because I have no idea how the industry is going to shake out, whether there will be opportunities in the Spring. Any suggestions?

7 comments

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snvzz
Minimize your expenses. Find and work any job, it does not have to be tech related. You can quit once you find a tech one you care about.

Put all gains towards a safety fund (enough to support your expenses for 3 months) first, and after that fully towards paying debt back, until you have paid it in full.

A pain, but that's life. Sometimes, you just have to grind. In the future, you'll be glad you got rid of debt and your struggles are behind you.

JasonBorne
This. Good advice on the logistical side. My two cents for mindset: Life is going to be hard for everyone at some point on average. But if you understand that it's hard, you will get satisfaction and a huge sense of accomplishment out of navigating it. If you think things are going to be easy, it's going to make things grueling.
life_questions
Yeah I get that. I'm not opposed to the pain of grinding hard. My first search to break into the industry took 2 years (existence was pain), my last job search for Senior Software Engineer took 3 weeks. The uncertainty is the biggest problem, I'm getting complete radio silence from all applications which is really weird. Maybe I should look for a job outside software engineering?
starbase
Zero responses for career means there's a bug in your job-finding algorithm.

Here are a few Qs to discover your blind spots: Have you spoken to the large industrial employers in your region? The nearest hospital? The fastest growing companies in your state? The businesses that sponsor local sporting events and festivals? Have you looked out of area? Tried contract work? Gotten feedback from a recruiter? Asked a prof if they can introduce you to anyone? Called the mayor? Schmoozed at a Chamber of Commerce meeting?

Half these things may sound uncomfortable and awkward, but I guarantee you won't get through the list without being offered a job. Put yourself out there in multiple ways.

dylanhassinger
what they said, also build something and publish it on the internet
Turing_Machine
> I have a huge bill to pay starting next year.

If your huge bill refers to student loans, there are some good options now, especially if you're not bringing in much (or any) money. The big advantage of the new SAVE program over previous income-based plans is that your loan balances do not accrue interest. If worst comes to worst, and you wind up working at a 7-11 or something, you likely won't have to pay anything until your financial situation improves (nor will your balance increase due to unpaid interest).

Check it out before you panic. :-)

https://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/2021/i...

Also, those of us who've been around for a while have seen more than one of these temporary downturns. They always go away after a while.

Best of luck!