Why do I get pushed toward customer service?
I've been doing tech support for the last 5 years while finishing school. I'm now looking for my first engineering role. I'm applying to entry level positions and have the skills and projects to back it up (was just accepted by Triplebyte), but I keep getting offered or asked to apply to customer support positions. Most recently I did an interview and a code test and the owner asked me to come in for a second interview. I had to drive an hour across town, which he knew, and when I got there he said I did amazing on the code test and they liked my approach, and then offered me a customer service hon with a chance to become a dev in the future, assuring me they'd be giving me plenty of dev work. Is this normal? Is it because I'm a woman? It's happened at least 4 times since I started applying in July.
Be a women, dont bring gender into everything, that's feminists.
It has nothing to do with gender. Maybe they want to make sure you will be a good hire and CS roles are les risky. If that is what you want to do, it’s a good opportunity to get in. On the other hand, you are not losing much, ask for more money than you are making now and make sure the financials/benefits are good for you. If they are not serious and never move you to dev, then you keep looking. But at least you made more money than your previous gig.
Tech support is similar to entry level customer support. I would be dubious of not getting stuck in support roles.
Tech support is not all the same. There are tech support roles that pay $100k+ base. If you don’t think you’re being moved toward one of those, though, redo your resume as a new CS grad. Put your skills and education at the top, and any clubs or volunteer at the bottom along with your work experience.
I experienced the same thing trying to break into marketing after way too many years spent in support during college. The key to making this transition work is to emphasis all of your relevant dev experience and minimize the customer service stuff. I know it's difficult when there's so much support experience, but it gets easier as you expand your xp in your preferred discipline. Try making a new resume.
try taking the customer service off your resume
This.