How old are you, if you don't mind breaking some OPSEC?
Making it quick, I'm a 20 year old native who's having a troubling time keeping optimistic and feeling 'locked out' from the job market around here. I've only been doing front-end engineering for a non profit for a few years now since High School, but everything still feels so far away and impossible to me, especially because I didn't go straight to college, so I've just been wondering if I'm just not trying hard enough or if I'm actually locked out until I build a decent resume...
You need a decent resume. I graduated with a math degree and couldn't get a software engineering job until going back and getting a CS degree. I'd already been programming for years. There was another guy from my class that had to do the same too.
26, I was about your age when starting out full time. If you're feeling locked out locally you might consider moving if you can, I sent my resume to companies across the country until it finally landed somewhere decent which also helped with the search. Resulted in a move to Texas from California for a bit and was worth it.
A few questions ... are you applying to places ? or just feeling locked out ?
Are you in the USA ? In a techie area ? sometimes moving might help
I'm assuming the front-end engineering is paid ? Think portfolio, not resume; why don't you have a nice portfolio ?
Lately, no, last I've actually tried was all last year, but I've been wanting to get back on it with everything I've learned this year.
"Are you in the USA ? In a techie area ?"
Yes, Oakland, quite near San Fransisco.
I've been thinking I might have to end up moving one day, I wouldn't hate it but even then I must imagine that other 'tech areas' around America have that same kind of competition where people are moving out for work. My work is indeed paid.
"Think portfolio, not resume; why don't you have a nice portfolio ?"
Good question, I'm not actually sure but you've managed to get me on it. I've been relying on Github for a portfolio because people've always told me that it's about having a Github accessible and a decent resume...
Making it quick, I'm a 20 year old native who's having a troubling time keeping optimistic and feeling 'locked out' from the job market around here. I've only been doing front-end engineering for a non profit for a few years now since High School, but everything still feels so far away and impossible to me, especially because I didn't go straight to college, so I've just been wondering if I'm just not trying hard enough or if I'm actually locked out until I build a decent resume...