My Journey to Landing My First Job as an International Student

Graduating as an international student comes with a unique set of challenges, and finding that first job can feel like an uphill battle. I graduated on December 21, 2021, with a degree in Computer Science. As an international student, I had just three months to secure a job before my visa situation became precarious. Given the state of the job market at the time—still recovering from the effects of COVID-19—the pressure was intense.

The job market in early 2022 was gradually improving, but it was still far from robust. Companies were hiring, but the competition was fierce. In the span of one month, I applied to countless positions, faced numerous rejections, and kept pushing forward. It wasn’t easy—there were moments of doubt, frustration, and uncertainty.

Despite the setbacks, I dedicated myself to honing my skills. I spent countless hours practicing Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) and diving deep into the React framework, which was gaining significant traction in the industry. Each interview, whether successful or not, was a learning experience that helped me improve for the next one.

Then, on February 4, 2022, after what felt like an eternity, I received the offer that would change everything. I landed my first job as a software engineer at Future Capital (formerly ProNvest). The sense of relief and accomplishment was overwhelming. It marked the beginning of my professional journey in the tech industry.

The key takeaway from this experience is the importance of perseverance. The job search can be grueling, especially in a challenging market, but persistence pays off. Keep applying, keep learning, and most importantly, keep giving interviews. The more interviews you take, the better you become at navigating them, and the closer you get to that "yes."

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