Hello Reader,

Recently, I had the privilege of speaking to the Computer Science and Business Club at Rutgers University - ranked #1 in New Jersey for Engineering and Computer Science by U.S. News & World Report. It was incredible to see how driven and curious these students were. Many already had offers from Amazon, JPMorgan, and other top companies.

Talking with them took me right back to my college days - studying for exams, chasing grades, and trying to figure out how to land that first big job.

If I could go back and talk to my 22-year-old fresher self, here’s what I’d tell him.

💡 1. Grades Matter - But People Matter More

Growing up in India, I believed that high grades were everything. Top marks equaled success - or so I thought. I skipped parties, ignored networking events, and turned down clubs just to keep my GPA perfect.

Then reality hit: no one at AWS ever asked for my GPA.

Grades are important, but your ability to connect, communicate, and collaborate will take you further. At AWS, I’ve passed on technically brilliant candidates simply because they couldn’t tell their story or connect with others in an interview.

If you’re shy or introverted (like I was), start small. Talk to alumni. Attend a meetup. Ask someone about their job. The first few times might be awkward - but by the tenth, you’ll sound confident and ready.

⚙️ 2. Don’t Wait for Permission to Learn

I used to think “hands-on experience” meant waiting for class projects or internships. Big mistake.

You don’t need a professor or a boss to tell you when to start learning. Build something. Break something. Get stuck. Get confused. That’s where growth happens.

My career-switching students today - people moving from TAM, Dev, or QA roles into Solutions Architecture - learn the same way. They tinker. They deploy. They experiment with the same AWS tools used in real jobs.

And when you build, showcase it. Post it on LinkedIn, share your repo, explain what you learned. Don’t let perfectionism stop you. I avoided sharing my early projects out of insecurity - but trust me, people who know less than you are posting way more.

🌍 3. The Real World Doesn’t Follow a Syllabus

At 22, I thought the tech I learned in school would last my career. I was wrong.

Technology moves fast - and your success depends on how quickly you adapt. The Rutgers students I met were already building GenAI and cloud projects outside their curriculum. That curiosity will keep them ahead of the curve.

So keep tracking trends. Don’t just learn for exams, pay attention to the trends, and upskill on them

😅 4. (Bonus Tip) Just Because You Can Grow a Mustache…

Let’s just say - some lessons you only learn once. 😂 Here is a pic of mine two decades ago

🚀 Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a student or mid-career professional:

• Grades matter, but networking matter more.
• Don’t wait for permission to learn.
• Stay curious about what’s next.
• Share your work and your story.

It’s never too early or too late to go after the career you want. Don't let any one tell you that you can't achieve something. Go get after it!

If you have found this newsletter helpful, and want to support me 🙏:

AWS SA Bootcamp with Live Classes, Mock Interviews, Hands-On, Resume Improvement and more: https://www.sabootcamp.com/​

Keep learning and keep rocking 🚀,

Raj