Overcoming Job Rejections: My Self-Learning Journey in the Competitive Tech Industry

Growing up, I was always drawn to the world of technology. I found it fascinating how it could enhance people's lives and make their day-to-day routines much more convenient. 

From the moment I learned how to use a computer, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the tech industry. So, when the time came for me to choose my educational path, I decided to pursue a degree in computer science from a tier 3 college. 

I believed that this would be the stepping stone that would open doors to countless opportunities.

However, life had different plans for me. Despite my eagerness and hard work, I found myself struggling to land a job. I went for countless interviews, only to receive rejections one after another. 

Each rejection felt like a blow to my confidence, and it seemed like all the hard work I had put in during college had gone to waste. But I refused to give up. 

I was determined to make a career for myself in the tech industry, and I knew that I needed to do something different to achieve my goal.

I realised that my degree alone was not enough to get me where I wanted to be. I knew that I needed to develop my skills further and gain more experience. 

I started working on my skills in my spare time. I took online courses, read books, and practised coding on my own. I also started contributing to open-source projects to gain more exposure to real-world problems and improve my problem-solving skills. 

As a result, my confidence grew, and my skills improved.

It was a challenging experience, but it taught me that failure is an inevitable part of life. I failed so many times in my career that I lost count, and each time felt like a punch to the gut. 

But I learned something new from every failure. I learned how to pick myself back up, brush off the dust, and keep moving forward. 

I realised that failure is not the end; it's just a detour that takes you to the right path.

My Path of Self Learning

Looking back, I realised that my struggles were not unique. The tech industry is highly competitive, and landing a job in it is not easy. 

In fact, a survey conducted by Indeed in 2019 found that more than 40% of job seekers in the tech industry faced at least six rejections before landing a job. 

This statistic is a testament to the competitiveness of the industry and the importance of perseverance and hard work in achieving your career goals.

However, it's not just about getting a job. The tech industry is constantly evolving, so staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies is crucial.

It's essential to continue learning and improving your skills to remain relevant and competitive in the industry. As technology continues to play an increasingly vital role in our lives, the demand for skilled tech professionals will only increase. 

Hence, you have to keep learning and staying motivated, even in the face of challenges and setbacks.

One of the biggest lessons I learned from these experiences was the importance of networking. I realised that it's not just about what you know; it's also about who you know. 

I started attending networking events, connecting with people in the industry, and building relationships. These connections proved to be invaluable, as they led to opportunities that I would not have had otherwise.

Another lesson I learned was the value of mentorship. I was fortunate enough to have a few mentors who helped guide me through some of the toughest times in my career. 

They gave me advice, encouragement, and support when I needed it the most. Having someone who has been through similar experiences and can offer a fresh perspective can make all the difference.When I first started my career, I felt overwhelmed by the constant changes in technology and industry trends. 

I knew that I needed to continuously learn and adapt to stay relevant, but I didn't know where to start. That's when I discovered the importance of self-learning.

One of the first things I did was to identify my goals. I took some time to think about what skills I wanted to acquire and what knowledge I needed to gain to achieve those goals.

By having a clear understanding of what I wanted to achieve, I was able to structure my learning process accordingly.

Next, I turned to the internet. The internet is a treasure trove of information, and I took full advantage of it. I accessed online courses, tutorials, forums, and blogs to gain knowledge and support. 

I found that there were so many resources available that I never ran out of things to learn.

Building a network was also essential. I attended events, joined online communities, and sought out mentors to gain insights into my field. 

Having a network of like-minded individuals helped me stay motivated and gave me fresh perspectives on the challenges I faced.

Of course, practice is essential for skill development. I applied what I learned by working on personal projects, contributing to open-source initiatives, and even freelancing. 

It wasn't always easy, but the more I practised, the more confident I became in my abilities.

Regularly reflecting on my progress was also important. I evaluated what I learned, and how I had grown and identified areas where I still needed improvement. This helped me to stay on track and motivated.As you venture on your journey of self-learning in back-end development, it's essential to have access to the right resources that can aid you in your learning. Here are some effective resources you can use:

Online Courses

 Many online platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Codecademy offer courses in various programming languages and frameworks. 

Online courses are a great way to learn at your own pace, and many of them offer certification upon completion. 

You can also interact with other learners and instructors through forums and discussion boards.

Documentation 

The documentation of programming languages and frameworks is an essential resource for back-end developers. It contains all the information you need to know about syntax, functions, methods, and much more. 

Most documentation is available online and is constantly updated, so it's always a good idea to bookmark it. By reading through the documentation, you can gain a better understanding of how to implement certain functionalities.

Community

The back-end development community is vast, and it's a great resource for connecting with other developers, asking for help, and sharing your knowledge. 

Communities like Stack Overflow, Reddit, and GitHub are really popular in this regard. You can join discussion forums and groups where you can interact with other developers, get feedback on your code, and ask for advice.

Books 

Books are a great resource for structured learning, and they offer in-depth coverage of specific topics. 

There are many books available on back-end development in various programming languages and frameworks. 

Some of these books are written by industry experts, and they provide insights into best practices and real-world scenarios.

Side Projects 

Side projects are a great way to apply your knowledge and gain experience in back-end development. They allow you to work on real-world problems, and you can experiment with different technologies and frameworks. 

You can build your own projects from scratch or contribute to open-source initiatives. By working on side projects, you can showcase your skills to potential employers and build your portfolio.

As someone who has pursued a career in technology, I quickly realised that it's not just about what you know, but also who you know. Networking has been one of the biggest lessons I learned from my experiences. 

I realized that attending networking events, meeting people in the industry, and building relationships can prove to be invaluable. 

I started attending conferences, workshops, and industry events, which helped me connect with like-minded individuals and learn about the latest trends in the industry. 

These connections led to opportunities that I would not have had otherwise. I also made sure to keep in touch with my contacts, even if it was just to catch up over coffee or lunch.

In addition to networking, I also learned the value of mentorship. Having a mentor can provide you with guidance and support when you need it the most. 

Importance of Mentorship

Mentors can also provide you with valuable insights and perspectives that you might not have considered otherwise. 

I was fortunate enough to have a few mentors who helped guide me through some of the toughest times in my career. 

They provided me with advice, encouragement, and support when I needed it the most. One of my mentors was a senior developer who had years of experience in the industry. 

He helped me navigate the challenges I faced as a junior developer, provided me with valuable feedback on my work, and pushed me to take on new challenges. 

Another mentor was a project manager who taught me the importance of time management and communication skills, which proved to be invaluable in my career.

Finally, when I first started my career, I felt overwhelmed by the constant changes in technology and industry trends.

I knew that I needed to continuously learn and adapt to stay relevant, but I didn't know where to start. That's when I discovered the importance of self-learning.

Technology is constantly evolving, and it's essential to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments. 

I started taking online courses, attending webinars, and reading books to stay informed. I also started contributing to open-source projects to gain more experience and learn from other developers. 

By continuously learning and growing my skills, I was able to stay relevant and competitive in the industry.

Moreover, self-learning has many benefits. By investing in self-learning, you not only improve your skills and knowledge but also increase your value to your organization.

If you're looking to pursue a career in technology or are already in the industry, I highly encourage you to network, find a mentor, and invest in self-learning. 

These three practices can help you navigate the challenges of the industry, stay informed, and grow your skills and knowledge.

And if you're looking for a mentor or guidance in your career, don't hesitate to reach out to me or other professionals in the industry. We've been in your shoes, and we're here to help.

So, whether you're just starting your career or looking to take the next step, keep networking, find a mentor, and invest in self-learning.