How did you stay motivated early in your career when interviews were scarce? Any advice for breaking through?

Dear Raz,

First of all, congratulations on your graduation from UCSC — that's a significant achievement that you should be proud of!

While I can't speak directly to the challenge of numerous interviews, as I was fortunate to transition into my career through a university mentor's recommendation, I deeply understand how draining and frustrating the job search process can be, especially in technical fields.

Here's what I'd suggest for staying motivated during this challenging period:

• Leverage your network: Some of the most successful job placements come through recommendations. Reach out to your UCSC professors, former classmates or people you know in the field. Often, a personal recommendation can make all the difference, and they might know of opportunities that aren't widely advertised.
• Focus on entry-level positions: Look for trainee/intern positions suited for recent graduates. While it might be tempting to apply for more senior roles, employers often appreciate candidates who are realistic about their experience level and show eagerness to learn and grow.
• Keep building your skills: Your FPGA projects and hardware QA experience are valuable — consider working on personal projects or contributing to open-source initiatives to keep your skills sharp and have something exciting to discuss in interviews. Make sure to keep busy and celebrate the small wins like learning something new!

Remember that many factors in job hunting are beyond your control — market conditions, hiring freezes, timing. Don't take rejections personally. Your educational background and hands-on experience with FPGAs and hardware troubleshooting are valuable assets. It's often just a matter of finding the right match at the right time.

Stay patient and believe in yourself — the right opportunity will come. I wish you the best in your journey!