Comment on I would like some advice on where to go after university
Pigeon@programming.dev 1 year ago
I would say I’m a very ideals-driven person as well. I had hoped to get a job with a company whose values aligned with my own upon graduating.
My experience was that it was really difficult getting my first job when I was being fussy with who I was sending my applications to. This is despite having both an undergraduate and postgraduate degree with the highest possible grades and also industry experience.
Eventually I gave in and started sending applications to all sorts of companies and took the first job I got offered. I’m still early in my career and I’m still working with this company.
Honestly I think for a first job it’s just worth taking whatever comes your way if it will offer you valuable experience. Then you can always apply for other jobs whilst you’re earning money and experience. That’s my plan anyway.
Other than that, I would recommend checking out this website: 80000hours.org
sj_zero 1 year ago
Yes, work on getting your first job, don't worry so much about getting your dream job on the first try.
Let's say most jobs get 1000 applicants. Having a relevant education will put you in the top 200. Having relevant job experience will put you in the top 50. And not having a bunch of strange red flags that suggest you're not going to be a useful hire might mean you're one of 5.
It's important to pay your dues, and early on that often means working a job you don't want as much.
A lot of people with university degrees end up not doing anything related to their field because nobody told anyone this stuff and they end up applying for jobs they can't get first.