u/blossomflower_78

Hi everyone,

I'm a 2026 graduate and I'm considering joining a Primary Research Analyst role at Acuity if I receive a PPO. My long-term goal, however, is to become a Software Development Engineer.

My concern is about the current hiring market. If I spend about one year working in Primary Research (not software development) while continuously learning DSA, backend development, CS fundamentals, and building strong projects, would companies still consider me for SDE-1/Associate Software Engineer roles?

I'm worried because:

Many entry-level SDE roles seem to be filled through campus hiring.

Experienced SDE roles usually ask for prior software development experience.

My 1 year of experience would be in Primary Research, not SWE.

Has anyone here successfully made this transition recently (2025–2026)? Or have you seen colleagues do it?

I'd especially appreciate hearing from recruiters, hiring managers, or engineers at product companies like Adobe, Microsoft, Amazon, Atlassian, or similar.

What would you recommend to maximize the chances of making this switch?

Thanks!

When I was in Class 6, a friend of mine moved to New York. After moving, she reached out to me once, but eventually we lost contact.

It's been many years since then, and recently I thought about reconnecting with her. The only lead I could find was her mother's Facebook profile, so I sent a friend request.

It has been about 1 month and 10 days, and the request is still pending. It hasn't been accepted, declined, or acknowledged.

I understand that people don't always check Facebook or friend requests, especially after so many years. At the same time, I don't want to come across as someone who can't take a hint if the lack of response is intentional.

If I find another way to contact her, would it be reasonable to make one more attempt, or should I respect the silence and move on?

I'd appreciate honest and mature opinions.

When I was in Class 6, a friend of mine moved to New York. After moving, she reached out to me once, but eventually we lost contact.

​

It's been many years since then, and recently I thought about reconnecting with her. The only lead I could find was her mother's Facebook profile, so I sent a friend request along with a short message explaining who I was and why I was reaching out.

​

It has been about 1 month and 10 days, and the friend request is still pending. I haven't received any reply to the message either.

​

I understand that people don't always check Facebook or message requests, especially after so many years. At the same time, I don't want to come across as someone who can't take a hint if the lack of response is intentional.

​

If I find another way to contact my friend directly, would it be reasonable to make one more attempt, or should I respect the silence and move on?

​

I'd appreciate honest and mature opinions.

​

​

When I was in Class 6, a friend of mine moved to New York. After moving, she reached out to me once, but eventually we lost contact.

​

It's been many years since then, and recently I thought about reconnecting with her. The only lead I could find was her mother's Facebook profile, so I sent a friend request along with a short message explaining who I was and why I was reaching out.

​

It has been about 1 month and 10 days, and the friend request is still pending. I haven't received any reply to the message either.

​

I understand that people don't always check Facebook or message requests, especially after so many years. At the same time, I don't want to come across as someone who can't take a hint if the lack of response is intentional.

​

If I find another way to contact my friend directly, would it be reasonable to make one more attempt, or should I respect the silence and move on?

​

I'd appreciate honest and mature opinions.

​