10 ways to re-build foundation for my software career
re-igniting my career, currently have 3 years of professional experience in total 8 years (1 year in high school + 4 years in college + 3 years in industry, took 1-2 year break in between)

1. Build a personal brand
something simple to start, like my own personal website that has a summary about me and my experience
2. revisit the fundamentals
use courses from https://github.com/ossu/computer-science as a start
3. figure out my current circle of competence
what do i know now, what do i Not know ? Can i map this out? Start from the beginning, the courses i took throughout all my education, along with my projects. Identify weak points and work on those
4. find a mentor
look for an expert mentor
5. come up with vision/strategy for each quarter
for ex, Q1 2024 i can focus on building personal brand and circle of competence, while taking 1-2 online courses on fundamentals, and identifying/reaching out to mentors, Q2 i can continue from Q1 and make adjustments as needed
6. come up with my ideal identity
i want to become an elite software engineer, i want to become an entrepreneur too
7. leetcode along the way
q1 - q4, maybe record myself solving problems?
8. start a youtube channel sharing my journey
maybe, will be loosely structured, sharing my journal on becoming an elite software engineer
9. come up with list of courses to take, in order
10. increase my typing speed by practicing everyday
on typing club website, 15-30 min each day
11. Attend industry conferences and networking events (ai generated)
In order to re-build your software career, it's important to stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and industry practices. By attending conferences and networking events, you can connect with experts in the field, learn from their experiences, and expand your professional network. This will not only provide you with valuable insights but also open up new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Maybe, depends on my money, this will be more helpful after significant training
12. Contribute to open-source projects (ai generated)
Open-source projects are a great way to enhance your skills, gain practical experience, and showcase your expertise to potential employers. By actively contributing to open-source projects related to your interests, you can demonstrate your passion for software development and establish yourself as a valuable asset in the industry. Additionally, collaborating with other developers in the open-source community can help you learn from their expertise and receive feedback on your work.
Maybe, depends if i find a software that i want to contribute to, maybe a software im using that is missing a feature that i want or has an annoying bug and is open source
13. Develop a personal project (ai generated)
Building your own software project can serve as a tangible demonstration of your skills and creativity. Choose a project that aligns with your interests and allows you to explore new technologies or solve a problem you're passionate about. This will not only help you gain hands-on experience but also showcase your ability to take initiative and work independently. Sharing your personal project on platforms like GitHub or creating a portfolio website can further enhance your visibility to potential employers.
this is good, but takes commitment, if i come across some ideas will measure the risk/reward and go from there
14. Join online communities and forums (ai generated)
Engaging with online communities and forums focused on software development can be a valuable source of knowledge, support, and inspiration. Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your experiences to actively contribute to the community. This will not only help you stay updated with the latest industry trends but also provide opportunities to learn from others, collaborate on projects, and receive feedback on your work.
Ah yes, this is good, i definitely want to join the open source university community, as well as my local university's cs community, and even local meetups. This will help me find some synergy/followers
15. learn how to use gen ai tools such as chat gpt and other llms
github copilot, etc.

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