1. Build Connections

As an undergraduate, many students are unsure of their future paths. For instance, one of my junior’s friends is passionate about cybersecurity and started learning at a local polytechnic in Singapore. After entering university, he self-studied and completed a renowned cybersecurity certification, which opened numerous job opportunities for him.

However, this clarity is not common among all students. Most are still figuring out their interests. I encourage you to take the initiative to connect with professionals in your desired field.

My university has a mentorship program that pairs students with experienced professionals. Through bi-weekly meetings, students can clarify their doubts and gain valuable insights. If you find a supportive mentor, they might assign you tasks to help you reflect on your aspirations.

If your university lacks such a program, leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn to reach out to industry professionals. I include my LinkedIn profile at the end of my articles to encourage connections. It’s never too early or too late to create a LinkedIn profile. Just add a brief introduction and start reaching out to people whose work interests you.

The book Designing Your Life refers to this as "Prototype Learning," which is an effective way to gain insight from those already living the life you envision. Personally, I prefer face-to-face meetings for their engaging nature, but virtual meetings are also a great alternative.

If you're uncertain about how to start, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn to discuss your goals.

2. Cultivate "Mini" Habits

A couple of days after our meeting, my junior asked for advice on maintaining good habits. Over the last year, I have published tech and career-related articles weekly. However, I struggled to keep this up in 2023 due to a lack of ideas and exhaustion.

Humans often seek immediate gratification. To succeed, you must overcome this impulse.

A helpful book called Mini Habits describes how the author aimed to get fit but decided to start with just one push-up a day instead of aiming for an overwhelming number. This approach ultimately led to significant improvements over time.

When you set easily achievable goals, you lower your expectations and create momentum. For instance, if you want to learn coding, instead of saying, "I’ll build an app in three months," try, "I’ll write one line of code each day."

Let me know if this strategy works for you!

3. Read These Influential Books

After graduation, you'll find that real-life experiences are the best teachers. School provides foundational skills, but you need to develop your own thought processes post-graduation.

The best way to build this framework is through reading insightful books and connecting with intelligent individuals. The key is to consolidate what you learn.

Establish a blog or a YouTube channel to share your insights, experiences, and knowledge. This practice reinforces your understanding by prompting you to rethink and articulate what you've learned.

Here are some books that have significantly influenced my thinking and interactions:

• Thinking, Fast and Slow

  

• The Courage to be Disliked

  

• Principles

  

• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

  

• Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment And How It Can Help You Find And Keep Love

  

4. Explore Your Identity

I believe every individual is unique. While it may sound cliché, it’s essential to find your positioning.

Take time to understand your strengths and weaknesses. Many shy away from acknowledging their flaws, but embracing both is crucial for personal growth.

Consider various methods to explore your identity:

• Personality Tests: Try MBTI, DISC, Big Five, Gallup StrengthFinder, or the Enneagram of Personality. While some may be skeptical about personality tests, I find them valuable for self-discovery.
• Identify Role Models: Look for individuals you admire through books, films, social media, or friends. For instance, I have been inspired by Ray Dalio, a successful entrepreneur in the hedge fund industry. His book Principles has helped me understand the leader I aspire to be.

5. Career Guidance for Aspiring Software Engineers

As a Java backend software engineer, my advice will focus on this area.

If you're targeting positions at top tech companies (like FAANG or others), practicing coding problems is essential. Websites like LeetCode and HackerRank offer valuable resources. Start by selecting a topic and aim to solve 2-3 questions daily.

Once you’re comfortable with coding challenges, begin searching for job opportunities on LinkedIn, through referrals, or local job boards. The hiring process usually involves multiple rounds, with interviews conducted by senior staff at each stage.

I will share more interview tips in future articles, so feel free to comment if you have specific topics in mind.

Also, continual learning is crucial for software engineers. As a popular saying goes, "Premature optimization is the root of all evil." This means it’s better to get things working first rather than over-perfecting them. Sharing your knowledge and experiences can also be beneficial during interviews.

Explore blogs, newsletters, YouTube channels, GitHub repos, and Twitter accounts to stay informed in the tech world.

# Conclusion

Reflecting on my college and work experiences, I spent three days crafting this article. I hope these insights help you prioritize what matters during your college years and pave the way for your future career.

If you found this article useful, consider following my journey as a backend software engineer for more insights on technology and career growth.

Get Connected: My LinkedIn

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