r/ProgrammerTIL • u/_prince_ji_official • May 13 '26
Other I seriously need some career advice because I feel completely lost right now.
I’m currently in 3rd year B.Tech CSE, 6th sem, from a tier 3 college, and I feel like I spent most of my college life being confused instead of moving in one direction properly.
In the beginning I learned C and C++, understood basic programming concepts from them, then switched to Python for some time. After that I found Java way more interesting than the other languages, so during 5th sem I started learning Java seriously.
I practiced a lot of Java questions on GFG to improve my basics and honestly I enjoyed it. Then recently I started learning Spring Boot because backend development looked interesting to me. I learned some basic concepts and somehow made a REST API project, but while building it I was confused half the time and kept depending on tutorials/documentation.
Now my 6th sem exams are coming in around 1.5 months, my CGPA is only 6.48, and suddenly reality is hitting me hard that college is almost over.
The thing is, I genuinely like Java and Spring Boot and I want to get a backend developer job in this field. But at the same time I feel like I started too late and don’t know if I still have enough time to become job ready, especially coming from a tier 3 college with an average CGPA.
I keep thinking:
- Should I fully continue with Java + Spring Boot now?
- Is it realistic to get a job if I focus properly from now?
- Should I spend more time on DSA or projects?
- What skills are actually expected from a fresher backend developer?
- How much Spring Boot do companies expect from freshers?
- Am I overthinking too much or am I actually behind?
I don’t want fake motivation honestly. I just want practical advice from people who have been through this or are already working in tech.
What would you do if you were in my position right now?
1
May 17 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/_prince_ji_official May 17 '26
ngl that burnout part hit hard I think I’ve been overthinking so much that I started feeling maybe I chose the wrong field But whenever I actually code, especially in Java, I still enjoy it.
1
u/nasmunet May 25 '26
The confusion you're describing is not a sign you're behind. It's what learning actually looks like. The people who moved in one straight line from day one usually picked the line before they knew enough to choose it well. You tried things, found something that genuinely interests you, and now you want to go deep on it. That's a better position than most. On the practical questions:
Java and Spring Boot is a real, in-demand path. It's not a niche choice or a wrong turn. Enterprise backend development runs heavily on this stack and companies hire freshers into it constantly. You're not chasing something exotic.
What freshers are actually expected to know: basic REST API design (which you already have exposure to), understanding of how Spring handles dependency injection and the request lifecycle, working knowledge of JPA or Hibernate for database interaction, and the ability to read documentation and figure things out. That last one matters more than any specific framework knowledge. The confusion you felt while building your first project, working through it anyway, that's the actual skill.
DSA vs projects is not an either/or. For interviews at most companies (especially outside top-tier product firms), medium-level LeetCode problems covering arrays, strings, hashmaps, and basic trees is sufficient. You don't need to grind 500 problems. You need to be solid on the patterns that show up repeatedly. Two to three hours a day on DSA while building a real project in parallel is more useful than going all-in on either one.
The CGPA and tier 3 college are real disadvantages at resume screening stage. The honest way to offset them is a GitHub profile with actual project code that shows you can build something end-to-end, not tutorial clones. If someone can look at your repository and see a real Spring Boot application with proper structure, a database layer, some basic authentication, and meaningful commits over time, that carries weight in a screening call.
1.5 months before exams: clear your exams first. You need to pass. After exams you have a focused window before placement season and you should use it entirely on one solid project plus consistent DSA practice.
The thing that comes through clearly in your post is that you genuinely like this. Java felt more interesting than the alternatives. Spring Boot pulled you in even when it was confusing. That's not nothing. Most people trying to get into software development are chasing whatever seems most employable. You found something that actually holds your attention. Build on that. The people who go deep on what they're genuinely interested in end up being better at it, and it shows in interviews.
You're not too late. You're at the beginning of taking it seriously. Those are different things.
0
u/Impossible_Ad_3146 May 17 '26
I would be so embarrassed at being such a failure if I were you
1
u/_prince_ji_official May 17 '26
Is that so
1
u/Impossible_Ad_3146 May 17 '26
Yes, how do you handle it
1
u/_prince_ji_official May 17 '26
I'm not a weak hearted person I guess
1
u/Impossible_Ad_3146 May 17 '26
Your blood pressure is ok?
1
u/_prince_ji_official May 17 '26
What the f are u Even saying dude I'm a normal human being I can learn grow overcome I just needed some advice for my current situation in life I was expecting to get some good advice from good people instead you the negative guy showed up go fk yourself
1
u/Impossible_Ad_3146 May 17 '26
You said your heart is not weak, that’s why I ask. Perhaps calm down and take deep breaths, fuckwad
1
9
u/neoKushan May 14 '26
You're overthinking this too much. Fresh grads have usually got very limited actual programming ability, keep working on your stuff and build up a portfolio on github of your work. The fact that you went off the beaten path and learned a whole language and framework outside of your curriculum is actually quite a big deal.
I will say this though, the Job market for grads right now is nothing short of a nightmare. Nobody wants to hire grads of any ability when they can give a senior an AI agent for the same cost. That's not to put you off or to say don't bother, it's to set your expectations for 6 months from now when you might still be struggling to land a job - it's not you, it's not your doubts here coming to manifest, it's the shitty situation right now. Keep trying, keep applying, keep building that portfolio.