I work in finance now (graduated w/ Econ degree last year) and have been teaching myself the CS fundamentals (DS & A) post-graduation. Mostly Python, some Java, now getting into Javascript. I’ve completed some side projects, posted them on GitHub and have sent out a resume I drafted on LaTex to some companies on the Breakout List. I have an objective on my resume about wanting to transition in SWE. 0 for 3 responses so far, ha. Obviously it seems like I need to get a better resume and have better projects. I can do the work and I’ve done 50+ LeetCode Qs and all of CtCI. How long did it take to get your first big break? What was the turning point? Not giving up on this SWE dream but this process of switching careers has not been the most encouraging.
Apply to as many companies as possible. Same as any other job. Only difference, you need to study hard and have cool side projects.
I graduated with an Econ degree as well and worked in consulting. Then joined a tech company as a data scientist, where I got to work closely with engineers and made time to work on some side projects with them, eventually transferring.
Most CS new grads go through many more rejects than that, so just keep trying.
Won a Facebook hackathon at my university freshman year, then got a google internship as a freshman with an already declared English major. I singlehandedly drag up the average salary for my graduating cohort. TC: 220
fb -> g -> ms -> ?
Breakout list is terrible fyi
The recent intern in my team got 20+ rejects b4 having an offer from airbnb.
Airbnb has a reputation for valuing memorized solutions over real-time problem solving.
Perfect for new grads isn't it
Contract job at Amazon as a QAE. Then 5 months into my contract, interviewed for QAE I, got it. Did that for a year, then got an SDE II mentor, prepped, got feedback, and a year or so later, interviewed and got SDE I. been at Amazon for 5 years as an FTE. Currently SDE II, aiming for SDE III by April 2021.
When I tried to transfer to SDE I internally, even, 3 or 4 managers didn't even consider interviewing me, btw. It's rough for sure.
There are things we just can't trust a self taught guy to do (can't trust a college grad eaither but probability of correctness is 5x or 10x higher) : 1. Compilers 2. Synchronization-heavy multithreaded. 3. Text eduitor (program invariants) See if you can take some accredited online courses .
Show what you can do. Create some think and add a link to your product in your resume. I am not talking about Todo list product. Something related to what you want to do as a job