Landing my first job was far from easy. It took countless rejections, late-night applications, and moments of self-doubt before I finally found the right opportunities. Looking back, each challenge shaped the path that eventually led me to my current role at Amazon. In this post, I want to share my journey – the struggles, surprises, and lessons I learned along the way – so that anyone just starting out in tech can find some encouragement in my story.

Introduction

My name is Noumana Haq. For years, I’ve wanted to start this blog. The name Intrepid Byte came to me long ago, scribbled on a random page in my notebook, but life kept getting in the way final-year projects, job applications, internships, and the never-ending learning curve that comes with building a tech career.

Now, with a few years of experience behind me and countless lessons learned, I’m finally ready to share my journey. This first post is a personal one. It’s about how I went from being a student unsure of my next steps to landing a role as a Software Development Engineer at Amazon. If you’re at the start of your career or facing a period of uncertainty, I hope my story gives you both practical advice and the reassurance that things can work out, even when they feel impossible.

Early Career & Education

When I first started my degree in Computer Systems Engineering, I assumed the key to success was straightforward: study hard, get good grades, and companies would line up to hire me.

But by the end of my placement year, reality hit. I saw how much employers valued experience. My grades mattered, yes, but the projects I’d worked on, the skills I’d demonstrated in real-world settings, and the initiative I showed outside the classroom carried far more weight.

I realised that in my final year, while I couldn’t neglect my academics, I had to treat job applications like a second degree. CV writing, networking, tailoring cover letters – these were skills in themselves. It wasn’t about luck; it was about persistence and strategy.

Industry Experience & Growth

Finding that first job was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

Part of the pressure came from my family. My parents were clear: no part-time jobs outside your field. At the time, I didn’t fully appreciate it, but looking back, that insistence forced me to focus on building a career rather than just earning money.

Still, it wasn’t easy. Student life felt like a bubble – flexible hours, predictable schedules – but the real world hit differently. My first job taught me how quickly deadlines, team dynamics, and client expectations could shift.

After my placement year, I had a few months free before my final year started. I didn’t want to waste that time, so I began applying for internships. My goal was software engineering, but rejection after rejection chipped away at my confidence. Eventually, I told myself: One last application. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll stop and focus on upskilling instead.

That final application was to Infosys. I knew little about consulting, but it was the only door that opened. What I didn’t realise then was how much that experience would matter later – not just on my CV, but in teaching me adaptability and resilience.

For a brief moment, I thought the stress was over when I heard about return offers. Then came the hiring freeze. Suddenly, I was balancing dissertation deadlines with a relentless job hunt.

When the offers finally came – Capgemini and Infosys, on the same day – I felt like I could breathe again. Capgemini paid better, and after so many rejections, I didn’t overthink the decision. I just knew I was grateful for the opportunity.

I still remember the best advice I received during that period:

“For every 100 applications you send, maybe one or two will get back to you. Keep going.”

It sounded harsh, but it turned out to be true. Rejections stopped feeling like failures and started feeling like steps forward.

Big Break: Amazon

I joined Capgemini in June 2023 as an Associate Data Science Consultant. I imagined staying for a decade, climbing the ladder, maybe even becoming a lead one day. The job was remote, the promotion path was clear, and the experience looked solid on my CV.

But reality didn’t quite match the picture in my head. Promotions came with smaller pay bumps than expected. Finding project work was competitive, almost like a job hunt within a job. By early 2025, I was wondering what came next.

Then one afternoon on LinkedIn, I saw it: Amazon was hiring graduates who had finished university within the past 24 months. That was me – but barely.

I told myself this would be my final shot at FAANG for now. I sent off my CV expecting nothing. To my surprise, they replied the next day with an online assessment. Weeks passed in silence, and I assumed it was over. I even started planning for a part-time master’s degree, thinking I’d try again in a few years.

But in April 2025, Amazon reached out. The interviews moved quickly, and by 7th July 2025, I walked into my first day as a Software Development Engineer in London. One application. One final chance. That’s all it took.

Lessons & Advice

Looking back, here are the lessons that stayed with me:

• Rejections aren’t personal. They’re part of the process. Keep going.
• Experience compounds. Internships, projects, volunteering – they all matter.
• Apply widely, but strategically. Every application is a learning opportunity.
• Stay open to surprises. Consulting wasn’t my plan, but it gave me skills I use every day.
• Your breakthrough might come when you least expect it. Mine did.

Closing Thoughts

This blog will be where I share not just career reflections but also the technical insights I pick up along the way – from software engineering best practices to data science experiments.

If you’re at the start of your journey, I hope my story shows that it’s okay to feel lost sometimes. The path isn’t always linear, but every rejection, every internship, and every unexpected twist brings you closer to where you’re meant to be.