Tier 3 to Amazon 45 Lac CTC 🔥 | He got late to start coding | Inspiring journey

TL;DR

Kushagra shares his journey from coding novice to landing a job at Amazon.

Transcript

So, If we talk about the coding culture, then it didn't exist in the college. Because, if the seniors would know what to do then they themself would have been doing it and guiding us as well. When and how did you start coding? I didn't know anything of coding till my second year because as I told that seniors weren't very helpful in the college bec... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🎓 The absence of a coding culture in tier-3 colleges can hinder students’ early development in programming and technical skills.
• 🐵 Perseverance is key; Kushagra applied to multiple companies and faced many rejections before securing a job at Amazon.
• 👨‍💻 A structured approach to problem-solving, starting with easy questions and gradually increasing difficulty, is effective for coding preparation.
• 🤳 Regular practice and self-reflection during the job application process can significantly improve candidates' chances of success.
• 👨‍💻 Utilizing platforms like GeeksForGeeks and LeetCode is beneficial for mastering coding and interview techniques.
• 🧑‍💻 Maintaining motivation despite setbacks, such as rejections, is crucial for aspiring tech professionals.
• 📽️ Candidates should be prepared to discuss personal projects and experiences during interviews, as they showcase practical application skills.

Questions & Answers

Q: What challenges did Kushagra face in his college regarding coding?

Kushagra highlighted that there was a significant absence of a coding culture in his tier-3 college. Seniors were unaware of coding practices and did not guide juniors. Professors lacked the necessary coding knowledge, which left students like Kushagra to navigate their learning independently, starting only in their third year.

Q: How did Kushagra approach job applications, particularly for Amazon?

Kushagra applied to Amazon off-campus without using referrals, as he found it challenging to secure one. His application process started in August 2021 and lasted for six months, illustrating the lengthy and uncertain nature of job hunting in tech. He persevered despite previous rejections from other companies.

Q: What was Kushagra’s coding preparation strategy?

Kushagra's preparation involved using platforms like GeeksForGeeks and LeetCode. He started with easier problems to build his confidence and progressively tackled harder questions, focusing primarily on medium-level questions which tend to be relevant for interviews, successfully solving around 450 problems.

Q: How crucial were coding and development skills in Kushagra’s interview process?

Coding and development skills were central to Kushagra’s interview process. He faced multiple coding questions, primarily medium-level DSA tasks. His personal projects were also discussed in detail, illustrating the significance of practical application and experience in technical interviews.

Q: What advice did Kushagra give regarding coding practice?

Kushagra advised newcomers to remain consistent in their practice, suggesting doing 2-3 coding questions daily to gradually improve their abilities. He emphasized that initial struggles are normal, and maintaining motivation throughout the learning process is crucial to eventually overcoming challenges.

Q: How did Kushagra handle rejections from potential employers?

Experiencing numerous rejections affected Kushagra's morale, but he motivated himself by recognizing the value of hard work. He viewed each setback as an opportunity to analyze and improve, advocating for resilience and continuous effort in pursuit of a goal, particularly within competitive job markets.

Q: What common interview practices did Kushagra recommend?

Kushagra recommended practicing coding problems regularly and refining one’s understanding of data structures and algorithms, as these are often crucial in technical interviews. He stressed the importance of reflecting on failures and cultivating a proactive learning attitude to enhance interview readiness.

Q: What platforms did Kushagra suggest for coding preparation?

He suggested starting with GeeksForGeeks for its accessibility to beginners, followed by LeetCode for a more robust practice experience. He noted that LeetCode features helpful resources like discussions and hints, greatly aiding the learning process for aspiring software engineers.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Kushagra struggled with coding culture in his tier-3 college, starting to code only in his third year due to a lack of guidance from seniors and professors.

• After facing numerous rejections from major companies, he persevered and succeeded in securing a position at Amazon after extensive preparation and applying off-campus.

• He emphasizes the importance of daily practice, learning from failure, and maintaining motivation, offering insights into effective coding platforms and interview preparation strategies.