u/Tlacuache552

I get an above average number of students who message me to try and network since I’m at a name-brand tech firm. I usually will chat with them if I have time. I’ve noticed a couple of themes in their knowledge gaps that I feel like other students should be aware of. These apply to me, but I figure others can tell me if they disagree or add onto the list.

1. Recruiting happens much earlier than you think. For my company, it’s almost a year in advance. Reaching out in October or November is probably too late since most of the slots are filled by then. Nothing I can do to help once the analyst class is full.

2. You need a “starter” internship. Everyone in my analyst rotation program class had multiple internships before we applied to big tech.

3. I am not a recruiter. I can’t check on application statuses. If you got ghosted three months ago, I can’t tell you why. I also won’t ask recruiting why and they wouldn’t tell me if I did.

4. Talk to me before you start your application. If you want a referral, it’s infinitely easier to do if you haven’t already submitted. Please don’t make me raise a ticket that might get rejected. Plus, I can’t give you resume or application tips if you’ve already submitted.

5. Focus more on soft skills. Chances are if you know how to use xlookup() instead of vlookup() and/or can write basic SQL, your technical skills are fine. Focus more on being someone who can solve problems and receive tough feedback but still be fun at the happy hour.

6. Send a calendar invite. Don’t just say “let’s do x time” and send a link. Send me something I can get on my outlook calendar or I will 100% forget our call or have someone schedule over it. Include your resume so I can get an idea of what advice to give.

7. ASK REAL QUESTIONS while networking. I get asked the same like 8 questions by everyone. They’re so canned. Ask something unique and interesting or that you really care about. I remember the student that asked me about if I thought AI would turn out more like Terminator or R2-D2, but couldn’t tell you much about the dozens of students that asked me about what Excel skills they needed to have.

Anyways, rant over. Hope it was helpful. If any more experienced folks have a different opinion, feel free to disagree.

26, SFA in big tech. Over the last year, I’ve developed a reputation for being good at SQL, automation, and AI implementation. I rode that wave to get promoted ahead of schedule, but now am worried about getting “stuck” in a highly technical IC career path instead of a management path. Most of my projects are now more technical in nature than strategic work or business partnering since I can get them done in a few hours when it would take someone else on my team a few days.

My end goal is management and I’ve seen a lot of senior colleagues hit a ceiling as a principal IC. Any tips on how to avoid getting stuck in this route long-term?

Looking to get my first tattoo of a mountain goat and hoping for some help designing my concept before heading into the shop. Budget: $50+

If your portfolio includes:

- Fine line illustration
- Good use of negative space
- Dotwork
- Dynamic poses

Please comment! I can provide some inspiration images too :)

Just picked up two new letter-writing RPGs (*Almanac of Sanguine Paths* and *Dead Letter Society*). If you’re not familiar, it’s like asynchronous D&D without the dice and done through sending letters.

Looking for someone to play them with! Ideally, would love to play by sending physical letters but open to other mediums like email or Google Drive. Unfortunately, my core group of friends aren’t very into creative writing.

*About me*: 26, Male, serious hobby writer with a few minor horror publications (nothing impressive), bilingual (English/Spanish), working professional.

*About you*: Good to excellent writer, willing to engage for at least 3-4 letters, preferably in a similar stage of life, great imagination, willing to dive into the game & character, willing to write/respond at regular cadence.

If you’re interested, DM me and we can chat. Ideally, I’d like to kick off the game with a virtual chat or meet up and then send letters from there until we finish up. Wanted to keep it local so the letters don’t take 2 weeks to arrive lol.

Just picked up two new letter-writing RPGs (Almanac of Sanguine Paths and Dead Letter Society). If you’re not familiar, it’s like asynchronous D&D without the dice and done through sending letters.

Looking for someone to play them with! Ideally, would love to play by sending physical letters but open to other mediums like email or Google Drive. Unfortunately, my core group of friends aren’t very into creative writing.

About me: 26, Male, serious hobby writer with a few minor horror publications (nothing impressive), bilingual (English/Spanish), working professional.

About you: Good to excellent writer, willing to engage for at least 3-4 letters, preferably in a similar stage of life, great imagination, willing to dive into the game & character, willing to write/respond at regular cadence, have your own copy of the rule book.

If you’re interested, DM me and we can chat. Ideally, I’d like to kick off the game with a virtual chat then send letters from there until we finish up.

Just picked up two new letter-writing RPGs (*Almanac of Sanguine Paths* and *Dead Letter Society*). If you’re not familiar, it’s like asynchronous D&D without the dice and done through sending letters.

Looking for someone to play them with! Ideally, would love to play by sending physical letters but open to other mediums like email or Google Drive. Unfortunately, my core group of friends aren’t very into creative writing.

*About me*: 26, Male, serious hobby writer with a few minor horror publications (nothing impressive), bilingual (English/Spanish), working professional.

*About you*: Good to excellent writer, willing to engage for at least 3-4 letters, preferably in a similar stage of life, great imagination, willing to dive into the game & character, willing to write/respond at regular cadence.

If you’re interested, DM me and we can chat. Ideally, I’d like to kick off the game with a virtual chat or meet up and then send letters from there until we finish up.

I love talking with students. I give 5-10 referrals a year and offer mock interviews and resume reviews all the time. But I don’t love talking with AI. Trust me, take the 5 min to write a personable, human message instead of an obvious AI copy/paste.

That is all. Free advice worth what it costs.