The Myth of the Perfect Job

In partnership with

When I first start my journey into tech, I knew my first job wouldn’t be glamorous.

• I was self taught.

• I didn’t have a computer science degree.

• I didn’t live near a tech hub where opportunities seem endless.

I set my sights on getting my foot in the door and then kicking said door wide open once I got enough experience. However, most people who are just starting their journey are aiming for the stars. Trust me, I wanted the unjustified salary, the unusal perks, and a FAANG company logo across my chest. Believe me, I did. There isn’t anything wrong with that but I realized that gaining experience was the most important thing I had to focus on.

And I knew that getting into world wide know companies wouldn’t be it. I had to turn my efforts elsewhere. I applied to smaller companies, reached out to their recruiters and hiring managers until I finally got an interviews. I failed some but ultimately all I needed was one offer.

And I got it.

The pay wasn’t what I envisioned, but it was my first job. From there I gained experience in:

• SQL

• React,

• Typescript,

• Javascript

• Azure

…and a host of other technologies I didn’t even know existed. It truly opened my eyes to what I could accomplish and what I could learn.

My first job? It wasn’t perfect, but it was everything I needed. I worked on real projects, took direction on said projects, built actual software, and colloborated with product managers, owners, and other developers.

That experience became my leverage.

With that job under my belt, I was no longer just another self-taught hopeful in a recruiter’s inbox. I had gained experience. And when I applied for my next job? The conversations shifted. The pay increased. The opportunities expanded.

I see so many aspiring developers waiting for the right opportunity, that dream company, the ideal salary. But the truth is, the first job is rarely any of those things. And that’s okay.

Because the goal isn’t to land the perfect job, it’s to land a job that moves you forward.

Once you have that, you’re no longer knocking on the door of the industry. You’re inside. And from there? You dictate your path.

So, if you’re still looking for that first opportunity, don’t get discouraged. Keep applying. Keep networking. Keep building.

You don’t need a straight shot to the top. You just need a way in.

And once you get there, make it count.

Your job called—it wants better business news

Welcome to Morning Brew—the world’s most engaging business newsletter. Seriously, we mean it.

Morning Brew’s daily email keeps professionals informed on the business news that matters, but with a twist—think jokes, pop culture, quick writeups, and anything that makes traditionally dull news actually enjoyable.

It’s 100% free—so why not give it a shot? And if you decide you’d rather stick with dry, long-winded business news, you can always unsubscribe.

Check it out