While in the early years of university, no one ever really thinks about what to do next. It’s all about soaking in the moments of being in university. Fun spontaneous exciting moments. But when the time there comes to a close, that fun little bubble is about to burst. Reality starts to rear its scary face in. What to do next? How do I do it? I remember this feeling all too well because I was in the same position not too long ago. And then I was reminded of it again when someone asked me what they should do now that they are about to graduate.

These tips will definitely get you well on your way to landing your first software engineering internship/ job.

Upload personal and school projects on Github

Create a Github account and upload your class projects, programming assignments, final year projects, and personal projects onto your profile. Github is like an online resume for software developers to show their skills practically. Other than just describing what you can do on your CV, recruiters like to see what you can actually do. Also, using Github teaches you how to use git, which is an entry-level requirement in software engineering jobs. Killing two birds with one stone.

Network – Developer meetups

The best networking spots for software engineers is during developer meetups. Developer meetups are like small events where groups of software developers, often of a specific language or framework meet. There is usually an agenda for the entire event, but more often than not the end of these meetups have a socializing/ networking session. Here developers in the software engineering field get to meet, sometimes talk about their jobs, etc. You may not be interested in the topic of discussion of the meetup, but you should definitely go to interact with developers who are already in the industry, pick up some tips from them, share thoughts. Many times something comes from it. Ignore the introvert in you just for a few hours, it’ll be worth it.

Read about a meetup I attended here.

Network – Developer social media groups

Since the first networking option hasn’t been happening lately due to COVID-19 restrictions, this is another networking alternative. They go hand in hand. Some people build a relationship on a WhatsApp or Telegram group then meet for the first time at a meetup.

Share your interest in looking for an internship or entry-level job, mention what languages or frameworks you’re good at. This landed me my very first internship as I was about to graduate from undergrad. Don’t be shy. How do I join these groups you may ask. Well more often than not, software engineering students in your school who are ahead of you may know about some. Your professors, the IT club. Just find anything or anyone software engineering related and ask. They’re not easy to miss.

Polish your skills

As you wait for a response from one of the many applications you sent out, keep practicing your programming. Remember that unless you worked a programming job while in school, you have zero experience in dealing with programming real-world applications, therefore not that skilled. Keep building projects, reading books, watching tutorials, anything that will make you better. Once you get your foot in the door, it’s your skill that will determine your growth in the industry.

Never stop practicing.