[mbonnet]

I graduated in 2022 into the final era of zero interest rate job markets. And then got laid off/fired twice in two years. The only thing that keeps me competitive in the job market is that I specialized so heavily so early (got a cert in unmanned vehicles then started writing spacecraft software). Kids who just learn the general fullstack curriculum (and don't do personal projects) are going to find the market very difficult for the foreseeable future.

[porkphish]

I've been in software development professionally since I was 20. I'm 42 now and feel like I have no specialties. I've done many projects for all kinds of things, but never the things that truly interest me. I'm jealous of you writing software for spacecrafts and now I'm thinking maybe I should get some certs...

[mbonnet]

Certs are whatever, demonstrated knowledge through projects is king. Go learn embedded C/C++ and start making gizmos and you'll be prime space industry meat.