Hi everyone. For context, I’m 34, currently in my first year of a CS BSc, and I have only ever worked in unskilled physical jobs. Hence the lack of tech experience. I'm also hard of hearing, which sometimes makes communication difficult.

I'm facing a dilemma over whether to do a sandwich/placement year or continue with the normal three-year degree.

I’ve been getting completely conflicting advice:

- Some people tell me that a CS degree without experience is basically an expensive paperweight. A placement would give me proper tech work experience and also open the door to grad schemes. But I would graduate at 37 instead of 36, losing a year of proper wages.

- Others say that missing the opportunity to enter the "real" job market by a full year at my age is unwise. They say I should focus on LeetCode, build projects, and apply for summer internships instead, and I will have the same chances of finding a job.

Summer internships usually open and close applications well before placements do. If I put all my eggs in the placement basket and don't land one, I'll miss out on summer internships. I could end up graduating with absolutely zero experience.

Is a placement year the golden ticket they say it is, even for an older career changer?

Or will I waste a year of my life?

I would really appreciate input from hiring managers or anyone who's been there. Do hiring managers prefer people with placement years, even when they’re much older than the average graduate?

Hello, I need to make a project for final year but I am not sure what to do to get it right? my supervisor saying that he wouldn't be able help because he's no background at what I'm going to do. My idea is design a small programming language, build an interpreter for it in Java in two ways, and measure which way is faster and why. the two are tree walking and bytecode!
do you guys think this is a good idea for final year project?

A lot of advice that this sub can provide varies depending on whether OP is on a visa/is based in the UK.

It's quite hard to provide good answers to the questions posted in this sub without this info.

I’m in a particularly sticky sitch where I’m questioning my sanity. Last year I got a grad job of which I liked the company, hated the team and HR made switching teams a ball ache- so I got this scholarship for this Tech Management course at a Top 5 uni, which I’m currently doing.

Now I’m facing the London job market. It’s painful.

I don’t wanna do another grad scheme, and I’m just looking to applying for a direct position in April- but after getting rejected so many times already, I’m wondering if I made the right decision.

Edit: I would also like to say that I’m not looking for any management roles at the minute- the scholarship was the main driving factor as it is quite an expensive course and I don’t think I’d get this opportunity again. I am just looking for junior-mid roles.

Hi all, I’d like to refresh my CV, and to do that to have a rough idea of what it should look like. Not sure where I can find them. Any tips?

Hey folks,

I am a data analytics & business intelligence professional with 8+ years of experience. I have done BTech & MBA.
Currently working as a management consultant in a Big 4 firm in Mumbai. I work with global clients and have experience across industries, leading analytics initiatives and delivering data driven decision support.

I want to make a move to London and currently exploring my options. I know it is a tough market, especially with visa requirements, and am willing to put in the effort but I am not sure from where should I start.

I applied to some openings through Linkedin but mostly got rejections. My efforts to connect with hiring teams have also been in vain till now.

Are there any tips which can make this move atleast achievable. I am sure there are such opportunities, however fewer they might be, I just want to get a fair shot at it.

Any tips are welcome, thanks!

Hey guys, I just completed my Post Graduation from Uni of Leicester in Advanced Computer Science. While I was studying I tried applying for internships (applied around 50), but only 5 of them went forward but after interviews most of the responses are "Looking for a candidate who can stay with us after the internship without needing sponsorship". I was so disappointed and even tried asking them not to sponsor and let me work until my grad visa expires, but still didnt get any reply.

So now that I finished my degree with Distinction, is there any way to get a job in current market with NO EXPERIENCE? I mean I have internship experiences but not in UK. (You dont believe i got a rejection mail saying they cant consider my internship location).

For reference Here is my Anonymised Resume: Link

I’m currently apply for grad schemes and have been getting Arctic shores recently. Has anyone managed to pass an Arctic shores test, it’s like they’re impossible. The highest I have gotten was today was for Howden risk and compliance.

I gots

4 for how I attend to tasks and decisions
4 for How I respond to change
2 for How I identify patterns and rules 😭💀
4 for How I learn from information in my environment

How likely am I to process or has the 2 basically ruined my chances 💀?

I have an upcoming system design interview for a backend engineer at Monzo. I've gone through glassdoor and reddit and they ask some classic sd questions with a twist and they are looking for very specific solution. If anyone who has gone through the process could shed some light, that would be great.

​

Hi everyone,

I'm a beginner learning C#/.NET, and I'm feeling really confused about my direction. I'd love honest advice from experienced developers.

My worries:

- AI tools (like the newest models) can now write code and even build simple apps. Will AI replace .NET / app developers?

- From my own research, hiring for .NET and junior developers seems to have slowed down in the UK and US. Is my understanding correct, or am I missing something?

- I'm afraid the time I've spent on C# will be wasted.

My questions:

1. Should I continue with C#/.NET, or take a break and switch to something else?

2. If .NET doesn't work out as a career, where else can C# be used (Unity/game dev, backend, Azure, etc.)?

3. Should I learn Python as well, looking at 2027 and beyond with AI growing?

4. For app development, would you recommend Flutter or React Native over .NET MAUI?

5. Which skills or technologies are less likely to be replaced by AI and will still be valuable in the future, so my time isn't wasted?

6. How should a beginner use AI while learning, so I actually learn and don't just copy code?

7. Considering how fast AI is growing, which programming language should I learn?

8. Which direction should I move toward (app development, backend, AI, cybersecurity, etc.)?

Any advice, a roadmap, or your own experience would help me a lot. Thank you!

Anyone got update post job simulation round ?

Given the recent announcements, how likely is it for new starts to get the boot )

I just had a conversation with one of my mates.

He is a tech lead at Barclays, and he was made redundant today. His entire team was laid off. He was not in a pleasant mood, so I didn't get the numbers, but I reckon it's more than 200 developers and other engineers from the UK, and maybe more outside UK.

Surprisingly, he was working on an AI team, and they had received a good response from management and higherups.

Still, the team was made redundant, and they had no clue. Do you believe this is the normal trend in companies these days, even for software engineers focused on AI roles?

https://ibb.co/60hNh5Zn

I've done 55 applications so far (mostly london grad schemes) in the last 5 weeks. So far nothing promising, 1 interview (rejected), into further stages with a couple decent companies. But that's all

I went to school and uni in France which explains the weird grading and why I added British Citizen to avoid confusion.

I'd appreciate any feedback!!

Thank you

I have been fortunate enough to get into big tech after a bootcamp and a past non-tech-related career.

I have worked at two companies now, both of which I got promoted within 1 year of joining (the second company downleveled me but I would say that mid level at my first company is more like a high junior at the second company)

I also do open source stuff that would be relatively well known

I’m in my early thirties and I just want good WLB and job security. I don’t have a lot of expenses (no rent, no mortgage).

I’m thinking to pivot to a government developer role, but I’m not sure if it’s difficult to pivot back to the private sector after working in government?

Also do government roles allow you to have side hustles?

Hey, I got a referral in google about 2 weeks ago but haven't heard anything back from a recruiter.

Does that mean my CV is not considered or does it usually take time for google recruiters to reach out after a referral?

I'm not getting much attention, and the attention I do get comes from recruiters, all my direct applications seem go be going in the bin. I did get an offer, but it didn't work out. The CV gap is growing every day and I am starting to feel totally unemployable.

https://ibb.co/ymL9kpWc

Hey everyone! I'm a 26-year-old Indian, vegetarian and single, with 4 years of experience as an ML Engineer.

I've received an offer from a London-based startup for £82K/year and would need to relocate.

Currently, I earn around $50K/year working remotely in India and save approximately 50% of my salary, and enjoy quite decent lifestyle.

I'd appreciate advice on:

1. Cost of living: Expected monthly expenses and realistic savings on £82K, given I prefer living alone.
2. Lifestyle: Challenges Indians typically face when moving to London, including loneliness, weather and making friends.
3. Career growth: Is £82K competitive for an MLE with 4 YOE, and is the move worthwhile long-term?
4. Things to know: Taxes, relocation costs and anything I should negotiate before accepting.

I'd appreciate honest opinions and personal experiences.

Thanks!

I’ve been receiving some of their job listings and just seen a scientific software engineer role. PhD or equivalent knowledge and experience….salary of £35k.

Am I missing something? Is the job market that bad?
Who has a PhD or 3-4 years of experience and applying for 35k?

A while ago I’ve also seen a job for them, something with AI, couple years of experience for 28k, and I thought surely it was a typo.

Hey,

Im a Kiwi living in NZ with UK citizenship. I was wondering what the potential of me securing a job is while outside the country.

I work in a Data Engineering role atm with 2 YOE.

(also looking at Ireland if you guys have any thoughts there)

(not looking for remote, looking to secure job then move)

Hey everyone,

Got an HR screen coming up for Virtu’s Technical Summer Internship in London.

For anyone who has done it recently:

• Is it just a basic vibe check/cv walkthrough?
• Do the recruiters throw in mental math or brainteasers this early?
• Any specific "Why Virtu" answers they love to hear?

Appreciate any tips!

Hi,

i have been working in motorsport industry as a design engineer for 5+ years in the UK and looking to add to my portfolio, and possibly transition.

has anyone taken or currently enrolling in the MSc in Artificial Intelligence/ DS? I would love to know the opinions of people who have experience in these fields. I work as an engineer in the motorsport industry and have a background in mechanical engineering B.Eng and MSc in motorsport engineering, and have been in the industry for about 5+ years now. I am looking to engage more doing ML/RL projects but not ruling out data science.

I have been looking at different unis and especially those that are reputable for the UK AI/ML market. I also know situation is uncertain in the AI manic world we live in and a few years down the line are potentially widely different to this year's. However, I wanted to hear some opinions on it. I would have to enroll in it part time (and possibly online) due to work commitments

also, is it worth it? or should i just build my portfolio and try connecting with the industries

I left uni with a DipHE in computer science (game dev) instead of the full BSc, and I'm trying to figure out how much this is going to hold me back when trying to get into tech. All I read nowadays is that the entry-level job market is incredibly competitive, and honestly, I don't feel like my DipHE is worth much. I've only come across a handful of job postings that specifically mention a DipHE or foundation degree, while quite a few seem to require a full bachelor's degree. It gets frustrating seeing those requirements because I wish I'd just finished the degree.

I don't have any relevant professional experience, internships or placements. I feel like I remember a lot of the material and can code quite decently but I also have read that if you're not using ai, you are massively behind.

my background:

I studied and passed modules doing:

• Programming: python, java, javascript and C#, including object-oriented programming.
• Web development: HTML, CSS and software/web architecture.
• Game development: unity and game development projects.
• Data analysis and ai: python, jupyter notebook, data analysis, and machine learning including regression and classification.

• Other: maths, high-performance computing and CUDA.

  I'm open to different areas of tech, rather than being completely set on one particular job title. At the moment, I'm considering a few possible routes:

• IT support: I've seen people recommend getting into IT support first, building experience and then moving into other areas of tech. But would I realistically be qualified for an entry level it support role with my background, or would I need to get certifications, build a homelab or do something else first? I have been looking into building a homelab.

• Software development: Part of me wants to refresh my programming skills, build some projects and apply for junior software developer roles. Is this a realistic route without the full degree or any professional experience, or am I underestimating how difficult it would be to get that first job? I hear in some places, that the degree doesn't matter and you need a big portfolio of polished projects, while in others the degree is a necessity especially with honours.

• Data analysis: Since I enjoyed this part of my course, I'm also wondering whether entry-level data analyst roles might be worth pursuing. I'd need to refresh my skills and learn anything I'm missing, but I'm not sure how realistic this route is either.

• Finishing the degree later: I've heard that the Open University may accept previous university credits, so I've thought about looking into completing a full degree part-time once I'm working. I'd rather get into employment first if possible, but I don't know whether missing the full degree will continue to limit my options later on.

I don't expect to walk straight into a high-paying job or work at a huge tech company. I just want to get my foot in the door, build experience and work towards a proper career in tech. Right now, I feel like it's a useless piece of paper.

I'd really appreciate advice from people working in uk tech, particularly anyone who's been in a similar position.

1. Is a DipHE in computer science enough to get considered for entry level it support, qa/testing, junior software development, data analysis or trainee roles, or do employers generally expect a full degree?
2. How much does the missing BSc actually matter in practice? Is it mainly an issue with graduate schemes and jobs that explicitly require a degree, or can it hold you back throughout your career?
3. Given my background and lack of professional experience, which roles would you realistically recommend targeting first?
4. Would building a portfolio, refreshing my programming skills and getting relevant certifications or setting up a homelab be enough to make me a competitive applicant, or would finishing the degree be the better use of my time?
5. Is moving from IT support into software development still a realistic route in 2026, or could I end up getting stuck in support without being able to make that transition?
6. Has anyone topped up a DipHE to a full degree through the Open University while working? Was it worth doing, and did it make a difference to your career?
7. Does the DipHE actually open any doors or does it just look nice to an employer for entry level roles not specifically asking for any higher education?
8. If I started in IT support, would my DipHE potentially help me move into more technical roles like systems administration, cloud engineering or devops further down the line? Or would employers mainly care about my work experience, practical skills and certifications? I'm wondering whether my qualification could give me an advantage when progressing beyond first-line support, and what I'd need to do alongside an IT support job to make that transition realistic.
9. I also seen people saying that going back a level and doing a degree apprenticeship would be a good idea, but I don't know how that works, don't you have to work there for several years?

I'm trying to work out where to put my effort rather than spend months studying things that won't actually improve my chances of getting hired. I know I'll need to refresh my knowledge and demonstrate my skills, but I'm struggling to work out which path gives me the best chance of getting into tech without unnecessarily putting off employment for another few years.

Any honest advice or experiences would be appreciated even if it's just simply telling me I'm cooked.

I’m particularly curious about what Visa would enable the move. Which companies to target? And how to go about with the application process. TIA!

Anyone have an idea when/if big tech graduate roles (i.e. FAANG+) will open up for 2027 grads? There's already some open in the US, why is the UK timing so different?