600+ Job Applications Later: Still Standing, Still Trying
How I’m navigating this brutal job hunt, the unspoken grind of being self-taught, and why soft skills and survival experience do matter. Let me not sugarcoat this:Applying for jobs sucks. There’s nothing romantic about it.No inspiring montage, no quick success story.Just spreadsheets, cover letters, silence, and if you’re lucky — rejections. I’ve applied to somewhere […]
Good Will
After months of chaos and uncertainty, I’ve made it past the interview stage for a stable job opportunity that feels vital for my survival. Financial instability has pushed me to seek improvement and security, driving me to build a strong foundation. This week is crucial; landing this job means the start of progress.
Spite and Hope: The Fuel Behind Personal Transformation
How Regret and Rage Spark the Desire for Achievement and Validation Lately, I’ve been reflecting on a lot of things. It started this morning when I saw a post from someone, and it was all about their accolades—degrees, certifications, honors. And for some reason, it hit me harder than I expected. I felt this rush […]
Clearing the Mind with Action
This reflection emphasizes the importance of completing unfinished tasks, which cultivates momentum, clarity, and confidence. By transitioning from mere intentions to actions, the author finds mental space and presence, mitigating feelings of guilt and distraction. This proactive approach transforms task completion into a natural habit, enhancing various life aspects.
Step Your Game Up
A moment of clarity, a challenge from my brother, and a turning point I couldn’t ignore. There are moments in life that hit harder than expected—not because they’re loud or dramatic, but because of who says them and how true they feel when they land. Recently, I had one of those moments during a conversation […]
🌤️ Staying Positive When Things Get Dark
It’s been a tough journey, but I’m choosing to keep going—and to believe that better days are still ahead. It’s been a struggle lately. For months, I’ve been obsessing over landing the perfect job in tech, worrying about my future, and stressing over debt. Things have been difficult, and I’ve been stuck in a loop […]
Building Connections: A Journey of Small Wins and Incremental Growth
In my 30s, I find myself starting over in my career, focusing on networking and building connections. I grew my network to over 1400 through persistence and relationship-building. Despite challenges like waiting for employer responses, I celebrate small victories that motivate my progress. Growth is incremental; every effort counts.
Crashing Out Isn’t Failure — It’s Your Body Saying “Enough”
The writer shares their struggle with burnout, financial pressures, and job insecurity while pursuing a tech career. They reflect on the challenges of balancing dreams and reality, the impact of their identity, and the importance of self-care. Despite setbacks, they emphasize resilience and the necessity of rest in their journey.
Broadening Your Options (Recap)
In this phase of chasing my software dreams, here’s what I’m learning the hard way: Be stubborn about goals. Be flexible about the path. This isn’t giving up. It’s evolving. Read the full reflection on Medium → Link
Overhauling My Personal Website: Why It’s Time for a Major Update
From Placeholder Text to a Fully Iterative Portfolio and Blog — My Journey Toward a Better Online Presence For the past year, my personal website, rsoemardja.com, has been, well, a placeholder. I’ve been so focused on other projects, especially career transitions and skill-building, that I didn’t give my own online portfolio and blog the attention […]