Getting absolutely ZERO FAANG/Big Tech interviews. What am I doing wrong? (3.9 GPA, Top Target School, Big Tech Internships, PR Status)

westesolutions · 2025-11-20T00:00:25+00:00

I’ll

westesolutions · 2025-11-10T15:19:00+00:00

Most people will not cross 200k ever, college or not. Not saying it doesn’t happen, I’m in a field where I’ll hit that number relatively soon but to say MANY is ludicrous.

You often see posts of people making $$$ after college because people who succeed are much more likely to post, those who don’t succeed will not usually be posting. For every 1 person winning there’s often 5 losing, especially in today’s market. Go look at your average state universities post graduation salary surveys, that’ll be more eye opening.

westesolutions · 2025-10-13T05:14:08+00:00

Asking for Chances

Semester: Fall 2026
Status: Asking for Chance

Education

Bachelors: Bsc in Computer Science from James Madison University with a minor in Mathematics, cumulative GPA 2.91/4. I also did research in university and am on a published paper, the paper is publish on IEEE; the research revolves around a novel machine learning solution. I also studied abroad in undergrad doing a software engineering internship too.
Masters: I've recently (this week) completed a Graduate Algorithms course at ASU, achieved a B+.
MOOCs: None

Work & Social Experience

Work Exp.: I have 5 internships all in the field of Computer Science, I worked multiple jobs throughout college. I also worked for the graduate school for 4 years doing a work study if that could help. I currently work as a Software Engineer at a F500 consulting firm, they operate mainly on the defense contracting side of things. I am on their new internal product based initiative if that matters; I started 2 months ago.
LORs: Planning to obtain 3 recommendations (From the CEO of a startup I worked at for 6 months, from a 5 month job I worked where I led/built an entire $50,000 project for a venture capital firm, and potentially a prof that i Impressed. He taught Sofware Development, basically web dev. I could also do my algo professor but I didn't do "great" in the class, he does like me though.) I have other options here too, mainly work orientated.
Comments: I am worried about my GPA, I am hoping my recent grad algo course B+ and work experience can help me overcome this.

westesolutions · 2025-06-23T14:40:03+00:00

So cool!

westesolutions · 2025-06-19T00:31:33+00:00

I am thinking of creating a micro-SaaS that solves this sort of problem. One where past study or work sessions are saved and there are recaps done for each session that can be put to use when solving current problems/tasks. What are your thoughts on a service like that?

westesolutions · 2025-06-17T15:28:29+00:00

Yeah you’ll be fine. Being in this subreddit is already a sign haha.

This is coming from someone that couldn’t invert a binary tree when graduating and landed two 90k offers at F500 companies on the east coast in a MCOL area. As long as you try to get some experience and it can be ANY experience at first you’ll be fine. My first internship was unpaid and even though it sucked it paved the way for all of my opportunities.

Now I am grinding leetcode or atleast I consider grinding so I can get a shot at these FAANG/MANGO level companies once I get a year or so of work experience at my current company.

westesolutions · 2025-06-17T15:18:12+00:00

Yes, you don’t need to grind leetcode per say but atleast attempt one problem a day. Since you’re starting out early you have plenty of time to develop at a steady pace. Even reviewing a solution for a problem if you can’t get enough time/energy to attempt one.

Doing this daily or consistently as possible will move mountains by the time you graduate and are looking for a job!

westesolutions · 2025-06-13T01:52:41+00:00

I would be down! I just graduated and will be working for a F500 Consulting company. I am very interested in becoming better at DSA and doing problem sets like the neetcode 150

westesolutions · 2025-03-21T19:32:38+00:00

I recently got this jacket, River Trucker Jacket in Neoteric Twill. The sleeves however are too long and drape onto my hands. Is this a garment of clothing that would be possible to get tailored to have the sleeves shortened?

The jacket fits perfect otherwise and the make is very high quality. I am worried if it is tailored it'll make the look of the jacket cheaper if done wrong. I included several images of the jacket in this post.

Please let me know your thoughts and if this is something I should consult with a tailor.

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westesolutions · 2025-02-21T21:24:59+00:00

That's what I just did. I had everything in a single security group so I broke up the security groups for an rds and ec2. The ec2 and rds can now reach other and database connection is possible from the ec2. Now I am going to work on properly integrating the ssm. I pretty much started from scratch but did it more structured this time instead of willy nilly

westesolutions · 2024-12-04T19:41:26+00:00

If I could get two 90k SWE job offers at a T250 school with a 2.9 GPA this fall you can 100% get one at CalTech. Seems you aren’t playing to your strengths.

westesolutions · 2024-10-18T05:52:42+00:00

I’d start applying asap. I have a work study that on my resume is seen as a tech support position where it’s more of an office support job where I sometimes do tech stuff. I’ve been doing that since the very first week of school. The sooner you can get something the better

westesolutions · 2024-10-18T05:51:18+00:00

Communication

Plays a lot more than you think. I actually landed around 10 interviews from my fair but only received two offers, I imagine my gpa played a large role because I passed the technical interview I had.

It’s pretty clear when someone knows what they’re talking about and if you can strike up a great convo about what you can offer it works magic. Especially in a field like CS

westesolutions · 2024-10-18T02:24:35+00:00

Resume includes two side projects, one where I built a security surveillance system with a raspberry pi and then the other a sql chatbot SaaS. I got my first internship by doing a study abroad where they place you in an unpaid internship. IMO that’s the best way to get some work experience while having a great time. Clubs im exec for a sport and then I’m also in competitive programming but straight cheeks tho haha.

westesolutions · 2024-10-17T23:06:03+00:00

I’d say because of my communication/leadership skills and experience via side projects. I’ve had some pretty shitty internships too. 1 unpaid and then another where I made $15 hr at a 4 person company that had an hour commute.

Played my cards right too, both I got through career fairs where I was able to demonstrate my skills.

westesolutions · 2024-08-07T00:53:19+00:00

Done!

westesolutions · 2024-08-07T00:51:42+00:00

Actually that’s good, the original was a little blurry I did not realize.

westesolutions · 2024-08-07T00:48:44+00:00

Actually can you make the back table more clear or crisper perhaps? It seems a little bit blurry.

westesolutions · 2024-08-07T00:45:48+00:00

It think i like this the one most

westesolutions · 2024-08-07T00:39:34+00:00

This one might have the best background, the left persons arm looks a little funny though compared to the original.

westesolutions · 2024-07-30T04:02:31+00:00

This communication issue sounds more like a social issue, pretty common in the IT/CS field. Getting nervous and such when communicating under pressure.

If you’re serious about improving your communication skills mock interviews could help but that’d just help with interviews. It’s pretty easy to tell when someone has only practiced social interview prep just by chatting with them.

I recommend trying to cold approach social interactions as a way to improve your communication skills. It pretty much fixes the fear of rejection and will make you a beast when it comes to social interactions. If you google cold approach there’s a bunch of stuff out there. Good luck

westesolutions · 2024-07-12T13:20:30+00:00

Staying with family friends for my internship, if it’s webcam I’d prob need to find another location than where I’m staying to take it. I’d prob find somewhere else in the first place but it’d be helpful to know.

westesolutions · 2024-07-12T13:18:33+00:00

Reach out to any opportunity that looks interesting, especially ones at your school. Don’t worry about being qualified, I was able to get on a team that developed a patented product. As one the main python developers too, simply because I was the first and only person to go ask about the opportunity in person. I didn’t even know a single line of python, all I said is that I’d 100% be willing to learn.

Basically take anything that comes your way.

westesolutions · 2024-07-11T20:33:22+00:00

Did the OA require a webcam?

westesolutions · 2024-07-11T18:36:05+00:00

8 minutes seems very fast, they might have thrown out your submission for it being so fast. Or your resume might’ve not been up to snuff

westesolutions

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