I’ve been exposed to programming for a few years now and majored in computer science in university. While I was able to finish up my degree last ye...
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Really loved this post—super relatable! Personal projects and hackathons truly make a difference when it comes to applying what we learn. I’ve faced imposter syndrome too, especially when comparing myself with peers. But once I focused on my own journey, things really started improving.
LeetCode has helped me a lot with interview prep—wish I had started sooner too!
For anyone looking for more resources or support, I’ve also been sharing helpful content for students at wgustudentportal — feel free to check it out!
This is such a relatable post! Personal projects and hackathons are definitely game-changers when it comes to applying what you learn in class. I also struggled with imposter syndrome, constantly comparing myself to others, but focusing on my own growth made a huge difference. And yes, technical interview prep is something I wish I had started earlier too—LeetCode is a lifesaver. For anyone in the wgustudentsportal community still in school, these are great lessons to keep in mind!
When I graduated from college, I had many of these same things on my list of things I wish I did differently. I studied Electrical Engineering in undergrad, and to be honest, the coursework was quite difficult. I did summer internships, but I didn't really produce any work/personal projects that I could hang my hat on. By the time I graduated, I was disenchanted and my self-confidence as an engineer was quite low.
While it's important to look back and acknowledge the things that we could've done better (I imagine you wrote this post to help others who are still in school), it's equally as important to be compassionate with yourself and forgive yourself. This is the thing that I didn't do. I continued to rake myself over the coals for not knowing/being/doing better in university. And so those college regrets then morphed into career regrets.
I just want to affirm that you are an engineer(or coder or developer if you prefer those terms) and that the lack of personal projects or hackathons (or anything else) doesn't take away from the knowledge that you do have and the value that you bring to your company & team.
Happy Learning & Happy Coding.
Thank you for your response. It has taken me some time to work through the imposter syndrome I had when I was a student comparing myself to peers who I thought achieved so much more than me. Having self-compassion is a journey and I'm currently still working to get there and I've come a long way since I graduated last year. I now realize that I do bring value to my team at my current job and it's okay that I don't know everything -- no developer does, especially with the number of programing languages and technologies out there.
I also want to acknowledge that the standard for engineering students is high, I can only speak to my experience as a previous computer science student. Not only are we expected to manage a full-time course load as a student, many students have responsibilities outside of school such as a part-time job or taking care of family. And on top of that we're expected by many companies to work on personal projects/code outside of schoolwork. These expectations are a lot and maybe this means there should be some changes in what companies expect from graduating engineering students. Of course, this is a different discussion entirely.
I appreciate your input and thank you for sharing your thoughts and journey.
useful to know! Thanks
Nice one. And computer science students need good enlightenment of their work in tech.
Definitely!
While working on your computer science degree at WGU, it's easy to get caught up in coursework and miss opportunities to apply your skills outside of the classroom. I’ve been there too, wishing I had worked on more personal projects or participated in hackathons earlier on. Engaging in tech communities or pursuing side projects could have expanded my knowledge beyond what was covered in class. Fortunately, with the flexibility WGU offers, you can still find time to enhance your skills and build a strong portfolio. And if you're looking to connect with fellow students or need resources of Western Governors University , platforms like WGU Student Portal are great for sharing ideas and supporting each other's growth.
Really Great
Thank you!
Thanks for this post, it will help me as I have also applied for the Computer Science degree through WGU Enrollment Portal.