[random9749832]

> finding my first job in tech as near hopeless for someone like me, who has weak network/hustling skills

This. I came in thinking as long as I become as great as possible at engineering, creating useful things and even grinding out algorithm problems it would be enough eventually. Even contributed to a few popular open source repositories. But guess what, in an interview despite acing all the technical questions and programming problems; I ended up being told that despite showing great ability that I "wasn't engaged enough in the interview and were concerned by my motivation".

I literally got told this after my 6th and final interview. At that point I understood, it is not just your ability that matters but how much the interviewer likes you as a person and they can discriminate you for anything without you helping it. I would even bet that even if I were to get the job I would be dealing with office politics seen as it has people like this in there. This was a big tech company.