Helping Aspiring Developers Land Their First Role in Tech

The Fastest Way to Fail

Breaking into tech is challenging, but there are a few mistakes that can seriously set you back. Here's how to avoid the fastest path to failure:

1. Skip the Practice and Fundamentals

Skipping the basics will leave you struggling with your resume and interviews. Without a solid foundation in data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving, you’ll likely hear rejection emails that say, “We have decided to move forward with other candidates.” Focus on building your skills and practice every day.

2. Don’t Network

Applying to random jobs without networking is a recipe for failure. You’re not going to land a job by staying invisible. Tailoring applications and getting referrals through networking increases your chances significantly. Don’t rely on just submitting resumes. Connect with people in the industry.

3. Rely Only On Yourself

There are tons of resources out there to help you succeed. Relying on yourself can lead to frustration and slow progress. Leverage free coding platforms, mentorship, and online communities to accelerate your growth.

Stop Learning the New 'Cool' Tech: Focus on the Fundamentals!

In tech, it’s tempting to chase the latest trends, but this approach often distracts from what truly matters: mastering the fundamentals. New frameworks and tools are exciting, but without a solid foundation, they’ll leave you overwhelmed, unprepared, and limited.

Chasing every trendy tech is a distraction. If you’re serious about landing your first job in tech or advancing your career, the fundamentals should be your priority.

Why Learning the New Tech in Town Hurts You

Every new technology claims to solve problems in a unique way. But these tools are built on top of something foundational—concepts like algorithms, data structures, databases, and core programming principles. If you don’t deeply understand these basics, the tools themselves will feel like magic. You don't need magic to build your career.

What Do Hiring Managers Look For?

Most hiring managers aren’t looking for candidates who know the latest framework or library. Instead, they want engineers who:

• Understand fundamentals – Can you solve a problem, regardless of the language or tool?
• Learn quickly – Can you pick up new tech as needed? (Hint: you can if you have a strong foundation)
• Communicate clearly – Can you explain your thought process and collaborate effectively?

Future Proof Yourself and Learn the Fundamentals

• Programming Languages: Learn one deeply (Python, JavaScript, or Java). Focus on how to write clean, efficient, and maintainable code.
• Data Structures & Algorithms: These are the building blocks of problem solving in tech. Master concepts like arrays, linked lists, hash maps, and recursion.
• Web Foundations: Understand the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• System Design Basics: Understand how systems communicate, scale, and handle data.
• Database Knowledge: Grasp how SQL databases work.
• Version Control: Git is not optional. Learn it.
• Debugging: Knowing how to fix bugs is more valuable than you think.

Cool Tech Will Come to You

Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, learning new tools becomes easy. You’ll pick up new frameworks and libraries faster because they all build on the same foundational concepts.

Employers don’t want someone who can only follow tutorials. They want someone who can solve real-world problems. The best way to do that is to invest in the basics first.

Don’t let the hype distract you.

My Journey Into Tech: From College to Software Engineer

I wanted to share a bit about my journey—how I went from being a college student to becoming a Software Engineer with over 4 years of experience. My experience isn’t unique or unattainable. It’s a repeatable method that anyone can follow, as long as they put in the effort. Effort is the prerequisite.

Three Key Things I Did in University

Build a Strong Network Early!

This was one of the most important things I did in college. The other points below are direct results of networking. Here are just some of the ways I benefitted from this:

• Personalized guidance: I was able to connect with different people to get tailored advice that perfectly matched my skill level, career aspirations, and challenges.
• Accelerated learning: My network helped me avoid common mistakes and focus on what really mattered, which significantly sped up my progress.
• Career advice: From choosing the right career path to understanding industry trends, I was able to tap into my network to get advice that helped me make informed decisions.
• Interview preparation: I was able to connect with actual Software Engineers that with helped me prep for interviews, review coding challenges, and refine behavioral responses so I could crush them.

Having a strong network turned my efforts into focused, high-impact actions, and it’s the #1 thing I tell everyone looking to break into tech.

Build Build Build

I dedicated myself to building projects—both personal and collaborative. This wasn’t just about learning to code but about learning how to apply my skills to real-world problems. Some of the key benefits:

• Gaining hands-on experience: Projects gave me practical, applicable experience far beyond what I learned in the classroom.
• Showcasing my skills: Each project became an asset I could show on my resume and portfolio to show my abilities.
• Learning new tools: Building projects forced me to explore and master tools, frameworks, and technologies that I hadn’t used before.

Pro tip: Always document your projects thoroughly. Employers love to see how you think and approach problems.

Construct the Perfect Resume

I spent a lot of time creating a resume that would stand out, and here’s how I approached it:

• Highlight projects and skills: I listed projects that were directly relevant to the roles I was applying for and emphasized the skills I used.
• Quantify achievements: Instead of vague statements, I included metrics like “optimized a feature to reduce load time by 30%” or “built a learning portal that is used by over 1000 students.”
• Tailor for each application: I customized my resume for every job application to align with the specific job description and requirements.

A strong resume is your foot in the door. Don’t underestimate the time it takes to craft and refine it! If you want a proven resume template to build off of, you can sign up below to access it.

Get a Mentor

I can't emphasize this enough... GET A MENTOR! It truly makes the biggest difference. It stops you from guessing what you should do and helps you understand what you have to do. Schedule a 1-on-1 call with me and lets craft your journey together.

University vs. Bootcamp vs. Mentorship

If you have the opportunity to pursue a computer science degree, I 100% recommend it. The resources, connections, and diverse opportunities available through a university are incredibly valuable for launching your career in tech. But let’s face it—not everyone can commit to a 4-year degree.

So, what should you do instead?

A bootcamp? Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it for most people. While there are some reputable bootcamps, many overpromise with unrealistic claims like, "Become a full-stack software engineer in 16 weeks." Yes, you’ll learn a lot in a short period, but let’s be real—most graduates aren’t proficient enough to land a full-stack role straight out of a bootcamp. And with tuition costs that can rival a semester of college, it’s a high-risk investment.

So, what’s the best alternative?

I believe guided mentorship is the way forward. Having an experienced software engineer as a mentor can make all the difference. I even recommend University students to get a mentor. A good mentor will:

• Guide you on what to learn (and what to skip).
• Help you choose and build impactful projects to enhance your portfolio.
• Give you access to their professional network.
• Connect you with a supportive community of developers working towards similar goals.

This combination of personalized guidance, real-world experience, and community support is invaluable for anyone looking to break into software engineering without a degree or a bootcamp.

If you’re ready to start your journey, mentorship might just be the smartest investment you can make in your future.

Pivots Free Resources

Breaking into the tech industry can feel overwhelming. With so many languages, tools, and pathways to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to know everything. You just need the right resources and a clear plan to guide you.

Courses

We have curated a list of courses, tools, platforms, and resources to kickstart your journey, whether you’re learning to code, building projects, or preparing for your first tech job. Sign up below to gain access!

Free Resume Template and Resume Review

One of the biggest barriers to breaking into tech is crafting a resume that gets noticed. We’re offering free resume reviews to help you stand out to recruiters.

Here’s how it works:

• Share your resume with us through the community or during a 1:1 session you can schedule today.
• We’ll provide actionable feedback, helping you highlight your skills, projects, and potential—even if you’re new to tech.

A great resume doesn’t just tell your story—it gets your foot in the door.

Sign up below to gain access today!

The Pivot Method: Your Guide to Tech Success

Life is all about pivoting. Rarely does plan A succeed. That is when we have to pivot. However, when we pivot, we do so with intention and direction. That’s why having a mentor in tech is a game-changer. Someone to guide you through the unknown. That’s what Pivots is all about.

In tech, agile teams pivot with flexibility, adaptability, and feedback. Why shouldn’t learning be the same? With guidance and intentional practice, you can build your dream career in tech.

If you are...

• Someone looking to enter the tech field
• Someone looking to land their first job in tech
• A junior developer looking to level up their skills

Welcome to Pivots

I’m excited to introduce Pivots—a mentorship program tailored to empower aspiring and early-career software engineers. Whether you’re looking to pivot into the tech industry or a junior engineer eager to take your skills to the next level, Pivots is here to guide you every step of the way.

What to do from here