# Lost After Graduation ---- Looking for Genuine Career Guidance

**URL:** <https://onehack.st/t/lost-after-graduation-looking-for-genuine-career-guidance/323955>\
**Category:** Discussion & Solutions\
**Tags:** solved\
**Created:** [July 17, 2026, 3:14pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/lost-after-graduation-looking-for-genuine-career-guidance/323955 "2026-07-17T15:14:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![R\_Dead](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/r_dead/32/174794_2.png) [@R\_Dead](https://onehack.st/u/R_Dead)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 3:14pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/lost-after-graduation-looking-for-genuine-career-guidance/323955/1 "2026-07-17T15:14:40Z")

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# Lost After Graduation — Looking for Genuine Career Guidance

My college is over, and I Btech CSE without a single internship or job offer. I somehow managed to **7 CGPA**.

During college, I did get a few job opportunities, but honestly, they were very limited. And yes, I admit that part of the problem was me too. I never focused on problem-solving, DSA, or aptitude. I even failed the hiring rounds of mass recruitment companies.

Technically, I know I’m good. I genuinely love technology and enjoy building and experimenting with things that many people around me can’t. But I eventually realized that companies don’t just hire based on technical curiosity. They expect strong fundamentals, problem-solving skills, and aptitude—areas where I was lacking.

Towards the end of my final semester, reality hit me. I realized I was in trouble if I didn’t start preparing seriously. So, even though it was late, I started learning frontend and backend development. I learned **React, Node.js, Express.js, and AWS basics** through YouTube tutorials and AWS skillbuilder labs.

Right now, I’m applying everywhere, but I’m barely getting any opportunities. To be honest, I sometimes hesitate to apply because I don’t have enough confidence that I can crack the interviews.

Currently, I’m trying to improve myself every day. I started learning **DSA** about a month ago and can now solve arrays and other basic problems. Alongside that, I’m preparing for my **AWS Cloud Practitioner certification**. The biggest challenge is balancing everything. If I focus on DSA, I feel like I’m neglecting development. If I go back to development, I worry that my DSA progress will slow down. Sometimes I just feel completely lost.

Mentally, I’m not a weak person. Ironically, I’m usually the one motivating my friends who are struggling to get jobs, telling them that things will eventually work out. But like everyone else, I have my own fears and doubts too.

## What I Need

I’m looking for **guidance**.

Given my current situation, what would you do if you were in my place?

I’m considering **CDAC feb batch** because of its placement opportunities, but I’m not fixated on it. If there’s a better path—whether it’s improving my current skills, preparing differently, pursuing a reputed master’s program, or something else entirely—I’m open to hearing it.

I don’t want to waste another year making the wrong decision. I want to invest my time in something that genuinely improves my chances of building a career in tech.

If you’ve been through a similar phase or have experience in the industry, I’d really appreciate your advice.

Thank you for reading.

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**Author:** ![Lavon\_McDermott](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/lavon_mcdermott/32/177051_2.png) [@Lavon\_McDermott](https://onehack.st/u/Lavon_McDermott)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2026, 9:33am UTC](https://onehack.st/t/lost-after-graduation-looking-for-genuine-career-guidance/323955/2 "2026-07-18T09:33:19Z")

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Many people insist on aiming **only for core tech roles** , but in today’s market that approach can be limiting. A smarter path is to **enter the corporate world through tech‑adjacent roles** and then transition internally. Here’s how:

### ✅ Step 1: Consider Tech Support Roles

- Companies like **Wipro** and **Tech Mahindra** hire thousands of people every month for tech support positions.
- These roles often pay **₹5–6 LPA** , which is a solid entry point.
- Tech support is a **closed‑to‑tech role** , meaning it’s closely connected to technical work and gives you exposure to corporate systems, processes, and culture.

### ✅ Step 2: Internal Switch to Tech

- Once inside a company, you’ll gain visibility into **internal openings**.
- Many professionals successfully **switch internally** to developer, analyst, or engineering roles after proving themselves.
- This path avoids the struggle of breaking directly into core tech from outside.

### ✅ Step 3: Build Skills in Parallel

- While working, pursue **internships at AI startups** to strengthen your technical profile.
- This keeps your resume active and shows initiative.
- Avoid long gaps… waiting for CDAC or similar programs can add unnecessary resume gap.

### ⚠ Why Not Wait for CDAC?

- CDAC offers packages around **₹3–4 LPA** for the top 20–30% of students.
- Waiting a year for the next batch risks a **career gap** without significantly better outcomes. You should have joined Batch July 2026.
- Instead, start working now and build experience while learning.

* * *

## 🚀 Key Takeaway

Don’t get stuck chasing only “pure tech” roles from the outside.  
**Enter through tech support → gain corporate exposure → switch internally → grow with internships and projects.**  
This strategy avoids gaps, builds credibility, and positions you for stronger opportunities in the long run.

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**Author:** ![Emanuel\_Branson](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/emanuel_branson/32/178452_2.png) [@Emanuel\_Branson](https://onehack.st/u/Emanuel_Branson)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2026, 3:48pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/lost-after-graduation-looking-for-genuine-career-guidance/323955/3 "2026-07-18T15:48:20Z")

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@R_Dead first — breathe. You are **not** lost. You taught yourself MERN + AWS basics _and_ started DSA, in the hardest stretch, while doubting yourself the whole way. That’s not a zero — that’s a real starting position most freshers don’t have. The problem isn’t your skill; it’s a timing decision and one wrong question you keep asking yourself.

Honest plan below — open the boxes. 👇

> **⏱️ First — the CDAC timing (and why you probably don't need it)**
>
> Quick reality check on the batch: the **February 2026 PG-DAC batch already started back in February** — the next real intake is the **August cycle** , so don’t plan around a batch that’s already running. (Confirm exact dates yourself on [C-DAC ACTS](https://acts.cdac.in/) rather than any forum.)
> 
> **My honest take: CDAC isn’t the right move for _you_ right now.** It’s built for someone starting from **zero** direction — no stack, no cert, no momentum. You’re past that:
> 
> - You already have React / Node / Express / AWS.
> - You already started DSA a month ago.
> - A 6-month program means **resetting momentum you’ve already built** , and skills often rust during its exam-focused grind.
> 
> Its placements are decent but land service/mid-tier — the _same tier_ you can reach in 2–3 focused months on your own clock. Keep CDAC as a backup, not the plan.

> **🧠 The real trap — 'DSA vs web dev' is the wrong question**
>
> This framing is what’s actually keeping you stuck:
> 
> > “If I focus on DSA I neglect dev… if I go back to dev, DSA slows down.”
> 
> Nobody gets hired for a _perfect balance_ between two tracks. They get hired for **problem-solving depth** and **staying consistent in one direction long enough to build real capability.** The good news: these two aren’t a tug-of-war — you run a **daily DSA habit** _alongside_ **one deep build**. The worry about “neglecting” one is the exact loop that keeps people stuck for years. Kill the loop, run both on autopilot.

> **🚀 Your next 90 days (the actual plan)**
>
> **Weeks 1–4 — build ONE real proof-of-work project**  
> Take your MERN + AWS and ship **one complete, deployed, non-tutorial app** — not a to-do list. Something with auth, a database, a real use case. This becomes your interview anchor: the thing you can explain in depth for 20 minutes. Put it on GitHub with a clean README and deploy it live free on [Render](https://render.com/) or [Vercel](https://vercel.com/).
> 
> **Weeks 1–12 — DSA, daily, non-negotiable (in parallel)**  
> 1 problem/day _minimum_. Order: Arrays → Strings → Recursion → Linked Lists → Trees. Chase **understanding the pattern** , not “5 solved today.” Free structured paths: [NeetCode](https://neetcode.io/) and [Striver’s A2Z sheet](https://takeuforward.org/strivers-a2z-dsa-course/strivers-a2z-dsa-course-sheet-2/).
> 
> **Weeks 5–12 — apply relentlessly while you build**  
> Target service companies + startups **at the same time** , 15–20 roles/week. Freshers face a brutal rejection ratio regardless of skill — it’s a numbers game _and_ a skill game. Resume anchors: your deployed project + finish the [AWS Cloud Practitioner cert](https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-cloud-practitioner/) (fast, credible, fills the gap).

> **📊 CDAC vs doing it yourself**
>
> | Factor | CDAC (Aug 2026) | Your 90-day plan |
> | --- | --- | --- |
> | Starting point | assumes **zero** | you already have a stack |
> | Time to job-ready | 6+ months | 90 days, momentum kept |
> | Cost | program fees | free (self-directed) |
> | Placement tier | service/mid-tier | _same tier_, on your own |
> | Skill regression | high (exam grind) | none — you keep building |
> | Momentum | reset to zero | compounds what you started |
> 
> **Verdict:** CDAC is for someone starting from nothing. You’d be paying to reset. Compound what you’ve already got instead.

> **💬 Your real fear, flipped**
>
> You said you hesitate to apply because you’re not confident you’ll crack interviews. Flip it:
> 
> > **Applying IS the practice.**
> 
> Every rejected interview hands you _exact_ data on what you’re weak in — worth more than another month of solo prep. Your 7 CGPA and no-internship stop being the story the second you can talk about **one strong project** + **clear DSA fundamentals** instead. You’ve spent this whole time being the one who tells your friends “it’ll work out.” Point that same belief at yourself — as a plan, not just a pep talk. 💪

> **✅ Do this week**
>
> 1. **Don’t** wait for the August CDAC batch — commit to the 90 days first, reassess only if truly stuck after real effort.
> 2. **Pick ONE non-tutorial project idea** (indecision on _what_ to build is usually fear of starting in disguise).
> 3. Start a **1-problem-a-day** DSA streak on NeetCode/Striver — today.
> 4. **Track applications** in a simple spreadsheet (company · date · status) so the volume game feels visible, not demoralizing.
> 5. **Finish AWS Cloud Practitioner** in 2–3 weeks — quick credibility.

Bottom line: you already did the hardest part — spotting the gap and starting to close it. Don’t reset into CDAC. Ship one strong project, keep DSA daily, apply relentlessly — that combo hires you faster than restarting from scratch.

You were never behind — you were building quietly. Now point the belief you hand your friends back at yourself, and let the work speak. 🎓

---

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**Author:** ![Ze380y](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/ze380y/32/48760_2.png) [@Ze380y](https://onehack.st/u/Ze380y)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 2:38pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/lost-after-graduation-looking-for-genuine-career-guidance/323955/4 "2026-07-22T14:38:18Z")

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![stop knocking walk through another door](https://onehack.st/uploads/default/original/3X/8/1/81c2a1315fca824bdd2af330603d74ae83f7a0e0.jpeg)

@R_Dead the plan you already got here is solid — ship one project, DSA daily, apply. So I won’t repeat it. I want to fix the part that’s actually hurting: _“applying everywhere but barely getting opportunities.”_

That’s not a skill problem and it’s not a CDAC problem. It’s a **visibility** one. You’re firing a no-referral, no-brand-college resume into the same funnel — mass-recruiter portals + generic job boards — that already rejected you. An **ATS** (the software that auto-scans resumes before a human sees them) filters you out on keywords + college in seconds. More applications into that door = more silence.

So use the doors where they judge **what you built, not where you studied.** Same effort, pointed somewhere it converts. Open the ones that fit you 👇

> **🇮🇳 Start here — the India off-campus ENGINE most freshers never realize they can enter directly**
>
> Almost every service company hires off-campus through a few central portals + one test. Register once, become visible to dozens of companies:
> 
> - **Superset** — TCS / Wipro / Cognizant / Capgemini run their off-campus drives through it → [https://joinsuperset.com/](https://joinsuperset.com/)
> - **One test → many shortlists:** eLitmus pH → [https://www.elitmus.com/](https://www.elitmus.com/) · AMCAT → [https://www.myamcat.com/](https://www.myamcat.com/) · CoCubes → [https://www.cocubes.com/](https://www.cocubes.com/)
> - **Coding-marathon doors (top coders skip rounds):** TCS **NQT** → [https://nextstep.tcsapps.com/indiacampus/](https://nextstep.tcsapps.com/indiacampus/) · TCS **CodeVita** → [https://codevita.tcsapps.com/](https://codevita.tcsapps.com/) · Infosys **HackWithInfy** → [https://www.infosys.com/careers/hackwithinfy.html](https://www.infosys.com/careers/hackwithinfy.html) · **InfyTQ** → [https://infytq.onwingspan.com/web/](https://infytq.onwingspan.com/web/) · Wipro **TalentNext** → [https://talentnext.wipro.com/](https://talentnext.wipro.com/) · Cognizant **GenC** → [https://careers.cognizant.com/india-en/pathways-to-cognizant/genc-program/](https://careers.cognizant.com/india-en/pathways-to-cognizant/genc-program/) · Capgemini **Exceller** → [https://www.capgemini.com/in-en/careers/career-paths/students-and-graduates/technical-graduates/](https://www.capgemini.com/in-en/careers/career-paths/students-and-graduates/technical-graduates/)
> - **Solve a challenge, get the interview:** HackerEarth Jobs → [https://www.hackerearth.com/jobs/](https://www.hackerearth.com/jobs/) · Unstop Hiring Challenges → [https://unstop.com/hiring-challenges](https://unstop.com/hiring-challenges)
> - **Daily drives, delivered:** Telegram OffCampusJobs4u → [https://t.me/offcampusjobs4u](https://t.me/offcampusjobs4u) · FreshersHunt → [https://t.me/freshershunt](https://t.me/freshershunt) · trackers OnlyFresherHire → [https://onlyfresherhire.com/](https://onlyfresherhire.com/) · YoHire → [https://yohire.in/](https://yohire.in/)

> **🎯 Programs that PAY you AND out-rank a campus tier (proof-first, college-blind)**
>
> Getting into any of these is itself a resume line that beats a placement cell — they pick you on contributions, not CGPA:
> 
> - **GSoC** (~$3k–$6.6k) → [https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/](https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/) · **Outreachy** ($7k, remote) → [https://www.outreachy.org/apply/](https://www.outreachy.org/apply/) · **LFX Mentorship** (Linux Foundation) → [https://mentorship.lfx.linuxfoundation.org/](https://mentorship.lfx.linuxfoundation.org/) · **MLH Fellowship** → [https://fellowship.mlh.io/](https://fellowship.mlh.io/)
> - India-run + beginner on-ramps: **C4GT** (GovTech, ~₹1L stipend) → [https://app.codeforgovtech.in/](https://app.codeforgovtech.in/) · **FOSSEE @ IIT Bombay** → [https://theglobalscholarship.org/scholarship/fossee-summer-fellowship-2025](https://theglobalscholarship.org/scholarship/fossee-summer-fellowship-2025) · **GirlScript SoC** → [https://gssoc.girlscript.org/apply](https://gssoc.girlscript.org/apply) · **Season of KDE** → [https://season.kde.org/](https://season.kde.org/) · **Hacktoberfest** (4 PRs) → [https://hacktoberfest.com/](https://hacktoberfest.com/)
> - Don’t memorize these — **one directory lists every open program with stipend + deadline:** Ossium → [https://ossium.live/home/oss-programs](https://ossium.live/home/oss-programs) · sinha-19 list → [https://github.com/sinha-19/open-source-programs-list](https://github.com/sinha-19/open-source-programs-list)

> **💼 Job platforms where startups hire on a build, not a CGPA**
>
> Founders here read your project and talk to you in 20 minutes — no aptitude gauntlet:
> 
> - **Wellfound** (ex-AngelList) → [https://wellfound.com/jobs](https://wellfound.com/jobs) · **YC Work at a Startup** → [https://www.workatastartup.com/](https://www.workatastartup.com/) · **Instahyre** → [https://www.instahyre.com/](https://www.instahyre.com/) · **Cutshort** → [https://cutshort.io/](https://cutshort.io/) · **Hirect** (chat founders direct) → [https://hirect.in/](https://hirect.in/) · **Internshala** → [https://internshala.com/fresher-jobs/](https://internshala.com/fresher-jobs/)
> - Remote/global entry-level: **Arc junior jobs** → [https://arc.dev/remote-jr-jobs](https://arc.dev/remote-jr-jobs) · **Jobgether** (AI-match, 1-click) → [https://jobgether.com/](https://jobgether.com/) · **We Work Remotely** → [https://weworkremotely.com/](https://weworkremotely.com/)
> - **Broke right now?** pay-only-after-you’re-hired programs: Microverse → [https://microverse.org/](https://microverse.org/) · Pathrise → [https://www.pathrise.com/](https://www.pathrise.com/)

> **🤝 Referrals from strangers (skip the ATS completely)**
>
> A referred resume gets _read_; a portal resume gets _counted_. You don’t need to know anyone:
> 
> - **ReferHive** — apply to live referral offers from verified employees → [https://referhive.co.in/](https://referhive.co.in/) · **Blind Tech-Referrals** → [https://www.teamblind.com/channels/Tech-Referrals](https://www.teamblind.com/channels/Tech-Referrals) · **IT Referral Jobs** Telegram → [https://t.me/s/ITReferral\_Jobs](https://t.me/s/ITReferral_Jobs) · **r/Referral** → [https://www.reddit.com/r/Referral/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Referral/)
> - Copy-paste cold-DM templates that get replies → [https://referi.net/blogs/cold-messages-that-get-referrals](https://referi.net/blogs/cold-messages-that-get-referrals)

> **🧩 Turn your open-source into the interview (back-channel hiring)**
>
> Fixing a company’s bug is a live audition maintainers remember at hiring time:
> 
> - Find a first task: good first issues → [https://goodfirstissues.com/](https://goodfirstissues.com/) · up-for-grabs → [https://up-for-grabs.net/](https://up-for-grabs.net/) · awesome-for-beginners → [https://github.com/MunGell/awesome-for-beginners](https://github.com/MunGell/awesome-for-beginners)
> - Never made a PR? do one in 5 min → [https://github.com/firstcontributions/first-contributions](https://github.com/firstcontributions/first-contributions)
> - **OpenSauced** builds a public contributor resume from your commits → [https://opensauced.pizza/](https://opensauced.pizza/)
> - OSS-first boards: gitjobs.dev → [https://gitjobs.dev/](https://gitjobs.dev/) · [fossjobs.net](http://fossjobs.net) → [https://fossjobs.net/](https://fossjobs.net/)

> **📄 When you DO apply the front way — don't let the ATS eat your resume**
>
> - **Jobscan** — paste resume + the job post, get a match-rate + missing keywords → [https://www.jobscan.co/](https://www.jobscan.co/)
> - **Jake’s Resume** — the template that parses cleanly every time (free on Overleaf) → [https://www.overleaf.com/latex/templates/jakes-resume/syzfjbzwjncs](https://www.overleaf.com/latex/templates/jakes-resume/syzfjbzwjncs) · **OpenResume** (open-source builder) → [https://www.open-resume.com](https://www.open-resume.com)
> - Make the proof visible: **Peerlist** → [https://peerlist.io](https://peerlist.io) · deploy a project free on **Cloudflare Pages** → [https://pages.cloudflare.com](https://pages.cloudflare.com) or **Netlify** → [https://www.netlify.com](https://www.netlify.com)

> **🗺️ Sharpen the fundamentals (free paths + real interview practice)**
>
> - Structured learning: **roadmap.sh** → [https://roadmap.sh](https://roadmap.sh) · **The Odin Project** → [https://www.theodinproject.com](https://www.theodinproject.com) · **fullstackopen** (Univ. Helsinki, free cert) → [https://fullstackopen.com/en/](https://fullstackopen.com/en/)
> - DSA where it matters: **CSES 300-problem ladder** → [https://cses.fi/problemset/](https://cses.fi/problemset/) · **InterviewBit** (placement track) → [https://www.interviewbit.com/practice/](https://www.interviewbit.com/practice/) · **HackerRank Interview Kit** → [https://www.hackerrank.com/interview/interview-preparation-kit](https://www.hackerrank.com/interview/interview-preparation-kit) · **Naukri Code360** → [https://www.naukri.com/code360](https://www.naukri.com/code360)
> - **Practice the actual interview free:** Pramp (peer mock) → [https://www.pramp.com/](https://www.pramp.com/) · [interviewing.io](http://interviewing.io) (anonymous FAANG + free AI interviewer) → [https://interviewing.io/](https://interviewing.io/)

You don’t have a skill gap — you already build things most freshers can’t. You have a _door_ gap. Pick the India engine + one proof-door, and put this week’s applications through them instead of the black hole.

The front door counts resumes and forgets them. Every other door reads what you made — so stop knocking louder and walk through a different one.