Every day, I wake up with an underlying restlessness—life is moving forward relentlessly, yet I often wonder if I’m keeping up. The pressure builds from every direction: expectations, competition, and the constant drive to improve. Alongside these challenges, my ambition—to become not just a competent developer, but a truly skilled problem solver—adds to the strain.
This journey isn’t merely about technical knowledge or finding the most efficient way to write code. It’s about reaching a goal that always seems just out of reach: securing my first real job as a Full Stack Developer.
This article reflects on where I stand right now—my perspective on the job market, the role of personal projects, and what keeps me moving forward.
A Stacked Market
The job market isn’t built for newcomers. Limited roles exist, and competition is fierce. Hundreds of developers apply for the same “entry-level” job that somehow requires five years of experience. The best opportunities? Many are never even listed publicly—they’re filled through internal referrals before they reach a job board. Internships? They’re snatched up in advance by those with the right connections.
Then there’s the education dilemma. Certificates require payment but often hold little weight. A degree? It’s four years of theory, abstract problem-solving, and math—some of which applies, much of which doesn’t. Yet without that degree, you’re already at a disadvantage, regardless of how many real-world projects you’ve completed.
And personal projects? They should serve as the ultimate proof of ability, but hiring managers don’t always see them that way. A well-structured GitHub repo can demonstrate hands-on skills far better than a certificate ever could, yet it’s often overlooked in favor of formal credentials.
The Work That Matters
Over the past two and a half years, I’ve built dozens of projects—spanning web development, automation, cryptography, scripting, and AI. Each project has sharpened my skills, pushing me beyond simply writing functional code and into areas like optimization, security, and scalability.
When school exams forced me to take a break from active coding, I used that time to focus on the bigger picture: CI/CD pipelines, security best practices, testing methodologies, and documentation. These “meta” skills separate good developers from great ones, yet they’re rarely emphasized in beginner-friendly resources.
Recently, I returned to web development with a renewed mindset. I migrated an entire Next.js project to Astro in a single day—something that would have seemed overwhelming a year ago. That project, which integrated Supabase’s PostgreSQL capabilities and introduced unique features from scratch, pushed me in new ways. Every bug, every architectural decision, every performance tweak reinforced one simple truth: growth comes from building, not just studying.
The Barren Wasteland of Developers
Software development can be isolating. Despite completing a CS program where everyone learned Java and data structures, I rarely encounter peers who share my curiosity about how things are built. Conversations rarely even touch on web development and technology — how frameworks work under the hood, why certain architectural decisions matter, or how the web development landscape is evolving.
This isolation isn’t just a personal struggle—it’s a structural issue within the industry. Many developers are trapped in surface-level knowledge, following tutorials without truly grasping the underlying principles. Communities exist, yet they often feel fragmented. Some are welcoming yet shallow, while others are deep but unapproachable for newcomers.
Without a network to rely on, I’ve had to become self-sufficient—seeking knowledge independently, finding mentors through online communities, and troubleshooting problems through sheer persistence. This process has forced me to refine my approach: learning how to ask the right questions, filtering noise from useful information, and pushing forward without external validation.
Even online, where developer communities abound, genuine mentorship is rare. Platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Discord offer glimpses of insight but seldom foster long-term connections. Open-source contributions, while beneficial, require breaking into established circles where experienced developers already have their own priorities.
The hiring landscape further reinforces this isolation. Employers expect skills that often aren’t taught in structured education. Networking is key, yet breaking into circles of seasoned developers can be daunting. While open-source projects and content creation can provide visibility, they demand an immense investment of time with no immediate return.
Other Hidden Disadvantages
Beyond competition and isolation, other barriers make this journey even harder:
- Burnout and Impostor Syndrome: The pressure to keep up with rapidly changing technologies can be exhausting. Every day brings a new framework, a paradigm shift, or another developer showcasing something groundbreaking. This cycle makes learning feel endless, while competence remains elusive.
- The Unspoken Biases: Many companies favor specific backgrounds—whether it’s formal education, prior experience at well-known firms, or geographic location. Although remote work has expanded opportunities, many roles still prioritize local candidates or those who fit a particular mold.
- The Underestimation of Self-Taught Developers: Learning independently fosters problem-solving skills and adaptability, yet it’s often viewed as inferior to a traditional degree. Many recruiters scan for degrees first, even when a candidate’s actual work speaks for itself.
Looking Ahead
The industry is competitive, and the path forward isn’t always clear. But I refuse to wait for permission to build or improve. Whether through freelancing, open-source contributions, or launching my own projects, I will continue refining my craft.
I may not have all the answers yet, but I do know this: I’m not stopping. The future isn’t something I’m waiting for—it’s something I’m chasing.
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