Honest career guidance for university students and aspiring developers from someone who's seen the industry transform—multiple times.
Explore the GuideSix principles that matter more than any specific technology or trend
Algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving transcend any framework or language. These foundations have remained constant for decades—and will continue to be valuable as AI reshapes how we write code.
AI tools are your collaborators, not competitors. Learn to prompt effectively, validate AI outputs critically, and understand when to rely on AI versus when your expertise matters most. This skill will define the next generation of developers.
Communication, collaboration, and adaptability aren't "nice to haves"—they're essential. The best code means nothing if you can't explain it, work with others, or adjust when requirements inevitably change.
Your portfolio speaks louder than any credential. Ship projects—even imperfect ones. Deploy something real. Contribute to open source. The gap between "knowing" and "doing" is where most aspiring developers get stuck.
The technologies I used when I started are largely obsolete. What matters is learning how to learn. Cultivate curiosity, stay humble about what you don't know, and accept that reinvention is part of this career.
Regardless of your specialization, understanding how machine learning works—at least conceptually—is becoming non-negotiable. You don't need a PhD, but you do need literacy in what AI can and cannot do.
Each path has its strengths—your choice should align with your interests and how you like to solve problems
| Field of Study | Core Focus | Math Intensity | HW/SW Balance | AI-Readiness | Job Outlook | Typical Careers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Computer Science
|
Theory, algorithms, computational thinking | Software-heavy | Excellent | Strong |
Software Engineer
ML Engineer
Researcher
|
|
|
Computer Engineering
|
Hardware-software integration, systems | Balanced | High | Strong |
Embedded Systems
Hardware Engineer
IoT Developer
|
|
|
Software Engineering
|
Building reliable, scalable software systems | Software-heavy | High | Strong |
Full-Stack Dev
DevOps
Tech Lead
|
|
|
Cybersecurity
|
Protecting systems, threat analysis | Software-heavy | Growing | Very Strong |
Security Analyst
Pen Tester
CISO
|
|
|
Information Technology
|
Business systems, infrastructure, support | Balanced | Moderate | Stable |
IT Manager
Sys Admin
Cloud Architect
|
|
|
Data Science / AI
|
Statistical analysis, machine learning, AI | Software-heavy | Native | Booming |
Data Scientist
AI Researcher
ML Ops
|
The best developers I've worked with aren't the ones who knew everything—they're the ones who never stopped being curious and never stopped building.
The tech industry will keep evolving. The question isn't whether AI will change things—it's whether you'll be ready. Start with the fundamentals, stay curious, and keep building.