graduated but no jobs

Posted by teminal 9/13/2025

Hi HN,

I just graduated from college and don’t have a job yet. I’m trying to figure out what to focus on next, and I’d love some advice.

A little about me:

– I contribute to open-source projects.

– I’ve done a few internships during college, mainly building full-stack web apps.

– Worked in a few startups, also mainly on full-stack projects.

– Built full-stack apps for clients.

– Ran a fun YouTube channel for a few months.

– Built some AI-powered apps using tools like OpenAI.

– Solved 100+ DSA problems to improve my coding skills.

With AI tools now, I can build full-stack apps by prompting and understand all the code. But I’m not sure what to focus on next: Should I deeply master a stack like MERN, or keep experimenting with AI and building different projects?

I’ve tried a lot of things — side projects, internships, open-source, AI apps — but I don’t feel like I’ve truly mastered anything yet.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What would you do if you were me?

Thanks in advance.

18 points | 46 commentspage 2

toomuchtodo 9/13/2025|

If you're comfortable taking advice from a complete rando, find a job doing something, anything in generative AI. It's hot, will remain hot until the bubble pops, and you should be able to get a foothold in the org if you can demonstrate competency with some code and hitting LLM endpoints. Use that foothold to ensure you can keep the job when the bubble pops, and you can pivot to other engineering work in the org. Failing all of that, you'll at least have some experience and some network you otherwise wouldn't have. Good luck.

teminal 9/15/2025|

thanks!

do you think someone just starting out can actually break into that?

feels like a lot of people are already ahead in the ai space sometimes i wonder if i should try anyway or stick to areas i've already worked in

toomuchtodo 9/15/2025||

Asking is free, you are only limited by your attempts and persistence at outreach for opportunities with hiring managers and orgs.

codegeek 9/14/2025||

" Worked in a few startups, also mainly on full-stack projects."

How did you do at those startups ? Your best bet is approach them again and ask for a potential role. Without some connections, it is extremely difficult to get a full tiem job right now in tech especially as an entry level person.

Some suggestions for you:

1. Get focussed on one stack. This is the unfortunate reality. You don't have enough real world experience to say "I can pick up any stack especially with AI". Thats what everyone else is saying. Too much noise. You need to separate yourself from the rest.

Get really really good at one stack (pick whatever you are already experienced with and double down). Then create a project or two in it (as real world as possible). Put it on a personal website. Something that shows. Don't just do the usual low quality "bootcamp" stuff. Those won't fly.

2. Approach any existing network of people you have worked with/for. You mentioned working at startups already. Start there.

3. Approach smaller companies/other startups (after #1 above) on Linkedin and make a specific case to founders directly. This is not hard. If needed, get subscription to Sales Navigator (if you can afford) and search for companies in the less than 50 employee range. Find their CEO/CTO and hit them up directly with specific message on why YOU and why you want to work for THEM. No generic BS. Be specific.

4. Be very very flexible. Mention that you will relocate for the job. Forget about Working from Home. Find whatever you can and move for it if needed. Show that you mean serious business.

These are some of the strategies that may help. It is very hard right now though. All the best.

teminal 9/15/2025|

thanks for all the points.

i did pretty well on every startup in some of them i was the only frontend dev build end to end features integrated apis enhance ux. i was never kicked out on any of them though in some projects got completed in some i already did 8 months work and still they don't increase my pay so i left i also build end to fullstack app of a client on upwork delivered working mvp in just one months but in the end due to serious health i couldn't continue

thing is that i don't really take connections seriously that time i was in college i focus on building more and more everything was new for me

yes i am trying for full-time as an entry level

1. well does building for startups, building for clients doesn't count in real world experience?? only building for company counts??

in my college i just keep doing internships and stuff and if got time i learned a bit and do some entertainment yes i did personal projects later and also building now. i never take any bootcamp

2. i did approach some not replied some say learn DSA some say master what you have done till now

3. i tried lots of yc companies i applied and talked and dming many founder most not replied some replied but they not hire remotely or from my country

4. if they pay me i am willing to relocated but i think all the skills i get now is not valued anymore in tech.

i know things changed a lot still i build everyday i am trying

again thanks for all the tips.

sagarjs 9/14/2025||

this is difficult, reach out to me and I will try to give you some guidance based on your situation.

codingdave 9/14/2025|

One of the values of public discussion is that the whole world can see the advice that is shared. People who won't share their advice in public are often trying to scam, or at least sell something to, the person asking for advice.

sagarjs 9/16/2025||

that is generally true, yes.

I chose this approach in case the OP wanted deeper tangible pointers which is only possible with an understanding of their specific situation and kind of projects, location, etc.

I shoould have made this more clearer in my first comment

bix6 9/13/2025||

You’ll never feel like you’ve mastered anything. You’re done with college so now is the time to figure out what sort of career you’d like.

teminal 9/15/2025|

thanks!!!

yeah true it just feels super competitive sometimes even friends drift if u r not ahead

it still becomes sometime confusing but i do know i need some stability and steady income

brudgers 9/14/2025||

Talk to everyone at your internships, startups, etc.

People you know is the best way to find a job.

Meanwhile, just get any kind of job because it shows you are willing to work and that’s a good impression to make.

Good luck.

teminal 9/15/2025|

thanks a lot! yep i did talk with people they want me to do DSA master any one skill

i am trying now with different people

brudgers 9/15/2025||

Be the kind of person that people who know you want to hire.

davidajackson 9/14/2025||

Do you have a portfolio site of sample projects or case studies? Do you want us to critique that?

teminal 9/15/2025|

yes, thanks for offering!! i’ve uploaded an anonymous version of my resume - https://limewire.com/d/9uYc3#w3yPqY1bur

would really appreciate any feedback or critique on it

devrimozcay 9/14/2025|

what is this