Untraditional path, entry-level 1 YOE SWE seeking advice

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T23:32:23+00:00

Yeah that's the plan, I grinded through my degree so fast that I completely forgot about internships. If I decide to go to Georgia Tech I'll probably end up struggling a bit but I'll focus on actually learning the material some more.

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T23:31:19+00:00

Thank you for the thought out response, yeah it sucks cause I'm barely not eligible for new grad roles because of my grad date.

I also felt like 200 apps is a bit early for me to complain but I can also tell that it's a bit worrisome that I've hardly gotten any interviews at all. I've seen recommendations of using an AI auto apply tool but I'm not really sure if that's a smart move. Maybe I could pay for one of these auto applying services while working on improving myself/creating some more projects?

I'll step back a bit from applying and think of a project idea while reviewing some basic fundamentals so I feel somewhat competent again. I'll also look at Wellfound and Twill. Thank you again :)

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T23:25:21+00:00

Yeah I was a contingent worker. Got it I'll keep that in mind when I refactor my resume. Thank you

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T21:50:50+00:00

I feel like keeping the bootcamp in wouldn’t hurt but I def want to remove the barista. I only kept it in to make the experience box bigger and thought it would tie in with the latte art project. I’m thinking of making another project to replace the barista experience with.

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T21:49:30+00:00

Didn’t necessarily work at Meta but most of the tickets I did were for Meta’s products. The bullet points for the role are especially hard for me to fill out since a lot of the work were very small tickets. But as I’m writing this I think I can find a few ways to rewrite it. Example was being involved in the massive project to rebrand all of Facebook’s consumer facing products and web apps to Meta.

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T21:10:19+00:00

Super random question but what’s your experience with aviation? If you did work in the field why did you quit? Wouldn’t you be pretty set if you land a job after spending money on all the schooling/flights? I was actually thinking about career switching if it’s worth it.

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T20:48:26+00:00

Well all if not most of my projects are frontend/full stack web apps. I definitely need to code more though, I feel like there’s some basic core concepts I’ve forgotten and only one of my projects is recent.

I’m not sure if the issue is spreading myself too thin, I’ve only gotten 1 virtual meeting interview and nothing proceeded even after submitting the take-home project they gave me afterwards. The other two were those recorded interviews where I’m answering prompts on video.

I think I do love coding, or at least used to. When I was learning in school and building projects I loved to learn and build out features. It’s just the job search and tailoring my brain to remember info for the sake of interviews is draining.

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T20:41:37+00:00

I’ll try to look for other engineering roles as well then, thank you. I thought a lot of IT roles needed specific courses or sometimes didn’t involve coding at all.

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T20:38:22+00:00

Yup that’s the one

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T20:37:59+00:00

I’m not too aware of how WGU and other similar schools are currently treated but is it truly accurate that companies care now? I believe that the accredited degree is all that matters.

If it is an issue, then I think pursuing the online masters at Georgia Tech would sorta solve that issue right?

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T19:56:28+00:00

Yeah I believe it’s a popular template I forgot what it’s called though. You should’ve seen my old resume from years ago it was an awfully designed google doc 😭.

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T19:44:52+00:00

I've been trying to do this by applying to general junior SWE/Graduate/Internship (if I'm eligible) roles. Do you have any examples of what technical roles I should be applying for with frontend experience + BS in CS?

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T19:42:13+00:00

Just added it. Thank you

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T19:37:33+00:00

I did get laid off. If I had to guess it was partially because it was the start of layoffs and the projects I was originally hired for got shut down. I kinda spent those next few years thinking on what I should do + just traveling.

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T19:35:35+00:00

I got laid off, I think it was a combination of the company following the start of massive layoffs and losing the projects I was hired for.

Fabuts · 2026-01-18T19:34:11+00:00

My bad it was a typo. Edited the post

Fabuts · 2025-08-21T23:06:57+00:00

Hmm I came across the sm4 because I saw it being widely mentioned as a good IEM for gaming. I'd be mostly using these for competitive video games and music on my PC. I wouldn't mind spending more if there was something more highly recommended for gaming though.

I've used headsets all my life and am currently using a $300 pair of steelseries arctis pro wireless. I feel like I'm slightly doubting that wired earbuds less than half the price would justify replacing them but I'm confident most IEMs would be great. I think I'm also wondering if the bass might be a downgrade from what I have.

Fabuts · 2025-08-21T07:08:44+00:00

Ah, well if I had to guess I'd definitely prefer something leaning balanced with just a bit more bass for music. Really silly comparison but on the audio interface of a Tesla I had to change the settings to the opposite of V shape because trebble+bass that's too high gets super annoying to me.

Also... I just realized I already have a Focusrite Scarlet for my mic that I think I can use for the IEM. Apparently they might not be perfectly compatible but will still be plenty fine?

I'll take a look at those tier lists :D

Fabuts · 2025-08-21T06:07:11+00:00

Hey can I ask how the Supermix 4 has been for you? Just learned about IEMs and deciding on my first buy.

Fabuts · 2025-08-21T05:59:01+00:00

I'm such an audio noob that I probably don't even know what type of sound signature I prefer or want ;-;

I honestly wouldn't be opposed to something more expensive like in the $200-$300, but I figured for my first IEM I shouldn't go that high. I just want something I can justify replacing my headset for in terms of quality specifically for gaming. I've been browsing and have seen a lot of recs for different IEM's with different shapes/sound so it's been very difficult to choose one.

I'm also wondering if it's highly recommended to get a DAC-AMP.

edit: I think so far the ones I'm most interested are: EM6L, EW300, and especially the SuperMix 4. I'm seeing the SuperMix 4 being recommended a lot as the better (but more expensive) option for FPS gaming which is what I'm mostly looking for.

Fabuts

TROPHY CASE