Breaking into the job market as a fresh graduate or someone with limited experience has always been challenging. The difficulties have only intensified since the pandemic.
This is a blog piece written by Veysel Boybay, a developer who worked at the BlueWave Labs. It reflects his thoughts about working in Canada and searching for a permanent job while working on an open source product.
The economic hardships faced by many countries, including Canada, have significantly impacted the job market, especially in the tech industry. Companies are now prioritizing senior developers to navigate these uncertain times, making it increasingly difficult for junior developers to secure positions. Without meaningful projects or experience in a team-based software development environment, the path to employment becomes even steeper.
When I was looking for a job after graduation, I focused on acquiring new skills and building small projects to enhance my portfolio. These efforts helped me grow as a developer, but they weren’t enough to capture the attention of hiring managers. The projects I worked on often lacked the impact needed to stand out in a competitive job market.
Working on these projects alone, especially as a junior developer, meant they took a long time to complete. With the constant pressure of finding a job, many of these projects were eventually abandoned.
I decided to search for open-source projects to contribute to, hoping to gain experience and make my resume stand out. However, I quickly realized how challenging it was to join these projects. Despite my enthusiasm, breaking into established open-source communities proved difficult. Many of the projects were complex and required a deep understanding of the codebase, which made it hard for someone with limited experience to contribute meaningfully.
Believing that everything happens for a reason, I came across an interview with Gorkem, CEO of Bluewave Labs, on a YouTube channel. He discussed the purpose of the company and who it’s for, and I was motivated to explore the opportunity. I reached out to him on LinkedIn and, to my surprise, received a quick response.
We scheduled a meeting, and soon after, I joined Bluewave Labs. From day one, we started a new open-source project, Uptime Monitor, where I experienced the full development lifecycle and collaborated with incredible developers. The experience and networking opportunities were invaluable. I learned what it truly means to work on a meaningful project.
Although I eventually left the team for a full-time job, I’m proud to have been part of something significant. I continue to be impressed by how the project has evolved. Let’s go Uptime!!!
Bluewave Labs has been an incredible environment for me as a software developer. The hands-on experience I gained was invaluable. The opportunity to collaborate and network with talented developers made the experience even more exciting.
Bluewave Labs bridges the gap between learning and real-world application, giving developers like me the confidence and skills needed to succeed in the job market. It’s more than just a place to improve your coding skills—it’s a community where you grow, connect, and prepare for your future career.
— Veysel Boybay
