How I Landed a 6 Figure Job Straight Out of University

Summary

In this video, Alex shares his journey from university to securing a six-figure salary as a software engineer at just 22. He offers valuable insights for students and recent graduates, emphasizing the importance of internships, personal projects, and interview preparation. Alex highlights his experiences with securing an internship during the pandemic, building a impactful project, and securing a high-paying placement. He also provides practical advice on how to excel in technical interviews, including the significance of LeetCode practice and system design. For those aiming for top-paying jobs, Alex suggests targeting AI companies and trading firms.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start building your CV early with internships or personal projects during university to stand out to potential employers.
• 😀 Companies look for candidates who show a passion for software engineering outside of their university course, such as through summer internships or personal projects.
• 😀 If you can’t secure an internship, working on a personal project can demonstrate your interest and initiative, making you more attractive to employers.
• 😀 Your project should be impactful, ideally with measurable outcomes like users or solved problems, and sufficiently challenging, including both front-end and back-end components.
• 😀 Don’t get discouraged if your internship plans fall through; use the time to work on meaningful personal projects that will strengthen your resume.
• 😀 After university, securing a high-paying job may be easier if you've worked hard on personal projects, and it helps during interview discussions.
• 😀 When applying for internships and placements, be prepared for intense interview preparation, such as practicing coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode.
• 😀 Communication skills are just as important as technical ability in interviews. Companies are looking for candidates who can work well with a team and express ideas clearly.
• 😀 Prepare for system design interviews by studying common cases and understanding how to approach designing software systems and solving real-world problems.
• 😀 The tech industry is competitive, but AI and trading companies currently offer some of the highest-paying software engineering roles, often exceeding six figures.

Q & A

What is the significance of having personal projects during university?

Personal projects show companies that you're passionate about software engineering outside of university coursework. They also help demonstrate your ability to take initiative, work on challenging tasks, and can be valuable additions to your CV.

How can students prepare for software engineering internships?

Students can improve their chances of securing an internship by engaging in personal projects, securing summer internships, and practicing coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode. It's also helpful to gain experience through tutoring or volunteering in tech-related roles.

What should students focus on when choosing a personal project for the summer?

Students should aim to work on projects that are impactful, meaning they can show measurable results, such as the number of users or the project's effect on others. Additionally, projects should be sufficiently challenging, incorporating both front-end and back-end components.

Why was Alex's project during his second year so important for his career?

Alex’s personal project, a web app for managing society events, was impactful because it demonstrated his practical skills in software engineering. This project allowed him to showcase his passion and initiative during interviews, which played a crucial role in securing future job offers.

How does the experience of an internship placement differ from a summer internship?

Internship placements, especially those lasting six months, are more intense than summer internships. They offer more responsibility, and companies assign more complex tasks. Interns get a deeper understanding of the industry and the demands of the software engineering role.

What factors should students consider when choosing a company for an internship?

When choosing an internship company, students should consider whether the company is a good cultural fit and if the role offers opportunities for learning and career growth. It’s important to assess how well the company aligns with personal career goals.

What is the role of system design interviews in software engineering recruitment?

System design interviews assess how well candidates can approach complex problems and design scalable systems. It tests both technical understanding and communication skills, as candidates must explain their design choices and handle ambiguities in the problem statement.

How should candidates prepare for the technical portion of a software engineering interview?

Candidates should focus on practicing coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode, preparing in topic order to avoid context-switching. Additionally, reviewing system design concepts and watching case study videos can help them understand how to approach real-world technical problems.

What are the highest-paying sectors for software engineers straight out of university?

As of recent trends, AI companies and trading firms are offering the highest-paying salaries for software engineers. These sectors provide six-figure salaries right out of university, surpassing traditional tech companies in compensation.

What is the importance of communication skills during a software engineering interview?

While technical ability is essential, communication skills are equally important. Being able to clearly explain your thought process, ask clarifying questions, and interact with the interviewer helps demonstrate that you're a good fit for the team and can collaborate effectively.