New Grad Resources
I have curated this list of essential resources with care for those who are just getting started in their tech career! These can help set you on your path to success.
For Mastering Your Technical Skills
Codecademy
Codecademy is an interactive platform offering hands-on courses in programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and Ruby. It’s perfect for beginners and those looking to level up their coding skills. You can even follow career paths for specific roles.
Start learning on Codecademy
freeCodeCamp
If you're looking for free resources, freeCodeCamp offers a vast library of tutorials and coding challenges. The curriculum covers web development, data science, machine learning, and more, providing practical experience through projects.
Explore freeCodeCamp
LeetCode
LeetCode is a powerful tool for practicing coding problems, especially for technical interview prep. From easy to advanced challenges, it helps improve your problem-solving skills in algorithms and data structures.
Try coding on LeetCode
For Career Growth and Finding What You Care About
LinkedIn Learning
Free with LinkedIn Premium, LinkedIn Learning offers a wealth of courses on everything from technical skills to personal development. It’s an ideal resource for professionals looking to gain new knowledge while networking.
Explore LinkedIn Learning
Career Path Exploration - TechCrunch
TechCrunch offers an excellent guide on career paths in tech, helping you navigate the various roles available beyond traditional software engineering, such as product management and data science.
Read on TechCrunch
The Muse - Career Advice and Job Search
The Muse is a great place to read career advice from industry professionals, search for jobs, and gain insights into company cultures. Perfect for any early-career professional wanting to explore new opportunities.
Discover The Muse
For Networking and Creating Professional Identity
Meetup
Meetup connects people through shared interests and is especially useful for discovering local tech communities. You can find local meetups for everything from coding bootcamps to tech talks and hackathons.
Find tech meetups on Meetup
Women Who Code
This global network is dedicated to empowering women in tech. Joining communities like Women Who Code can help you build a strong network and access resources, from job boards to mentorship opportunities.
Join Women Who Code
Slack Communities
Slack is home to many professional groups, including communities for new grads and professionals in tech. These spaces often host channels for job opportunities, mentorship, and industry discussions.
Find Slack communities for tech
For Financial Literacy and Being Smart About Your Money
How to Manage Finances After Graduation - CNBC
This guide offers practical advice for managing your finances, including tips on paying off student loans, saving for the future, and understanding budgeting. Ideal for new grads starting out in their career.
Read on CNBC
Investopedia - Financial Basics
If you’re unfamiliar with investing, this resource offers simple explanations about stocks, bonds, and other financial concepts, helping you build the foundation for financial independence.
Learn about investing on Investopedia
The Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) Movement
FIRE is a lifestyle that focuses on aggressive saving and investing to achieve financial independence. This guide is great for anyone looking to get ahead financially, especially early-career tech professionals.
Learn about FIRE
For Understanding Company Culture and Feels
Crunchbase - Startup Directory
Crunchbase is the leading platform for discovering information about companies, particularly startups. If you're thinking about joining a startup, or a pre-IPO company, this site helps you understand the business landscape, investment trends, and company profiles.
Visit Crunchbase
Glassdoor - Company Reviews
Glassdoor provides company reviews from current and former employees, giving you valuable insight into a company’s culture, management style, and work environment. Before you accept a job offer, especially as a new grad in tech, checking Glassdoor reviews can help you understand what to expect from your potential employer. Look for patterns in reviews to gauge the overall satisfaction, work-life balance, and opportunities for growth.
Visit Glassdoor
Blind - Anonymous Workplace Discussions
Blind is a platform for anonymous, real-time discussions about workplace issues, including company culture, compensation, and management styles. You can get an inside look into what it’s really like to work at a particular company. Since the platform is anonymous, you’ll get unfiltered insights from employees, making it easier to gauge whether a company’s environment aligns with your career and personal values.
Visit Blind
For Advice About Startups and Entrepreneurship
Y Combinator - Startup School
Y Combinator offers a free online course that provides advice on building and scaling startups. The course is packed with lessons from experienced entrepreneurs, making it a perfect resource for new grads interested in the startup world.
Start with Y Combinator Startup School
The Successful Founder - Building a Winning Startup Team
This article from The Successful Founder shares valuable insights from experienced entrepreneurs on how to build a strong, cohesive startup team. It emphasizes the importance of hiring the right talent, ensuring cultural fit, and fostering an environment of collaboration and trust. Key tips include prioritizing skills that complement the team’s strengths, maintaining clear communication channels, and ensuring that all members share a common vision and are aligned with the company’s goals. Building a team that can adapt and innovate together is crucial to the startup’s long-term success.
Visit The Successful Founder
How to Build a Great Startup Team - Andreessen Horowitz
Andreessen Horowitz has many guides which cover the essential principles of building a startup and includes topics like how to build a strong startup team, how to solve essential problems, and how to get funding for your startup. I suggest this as a crucial resource for anyone looking to dive into the startup ecosystem.
Read more on Andreessen Horowitz