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Career orientation in Information Technology - Please advise!?

I am currently a senior in Information Technology. I feel quite vague about my career path after graduation.

I have some interests and skills such as:

Programming (Python, Java, C++)
Website design (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
Data analysis (SQL, Excel)
Love to explore and discover new technologies
I am hesitating between the following options:

Option 1: Become a backend programmer at a large technology company. I want to work in a professional environment, learn from talented people and participate in large projects.
Option 2: Start a business with a mobile application project about education. I have an idea for an application to help students review knowledge more effectively. I want to build and develop my own product.
Option 3: Continue studying for a master's degree in Data Science at a university abroad. I want to study this field in depth and become an expert in data analysis.
I want to ask everyone:

With my interests and skills, which field should I pursue?
What are the pros and cons of each choice?
Any advice for fresh graduates like me to better orient their career?
What skills are most important for a fresh graduate programmer?
What steps can a fresh graduate take to start a successful career in the technology field?
What factors should be considered when deciding to study for a master's degree abroad?

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Minghao’s Answer

You're in a great spot with solid skills. Here's a concise breakdown:

Option 1 (Backend dev) – Great for building experience, networking, and growing fast. Stable but competitive.

Option 2 (Startup) – High risk, high reward. You’ll learn everything but may lack structure and mentorship early on.

Option 3 (Master’s abroad) – Good if you're serious about data science. It’s costly, but can open global doors.

Advice:
Pick one path to focus on first—others can follow later. Build real projects, keep learning, and connect with mentors or online communities. Strong coding, problem-solving, communication, and curiosity matter most.

Master’s decision factors:
Cost, school reputation, visa policies, job opportunities post-grad, and your long-term goals.

Trust yourself. You don’t need everything figured out now—just take the next right step.
Thank you comment icon I started with backend dev too—it really helped me build confidence and teamwork skills. Later, I pivoted into data roles. Totally okay to evolve over time! Minghao CHEN
Thank you comment icon If your app idea excites you, don’t ignore it. Even building a prototype can boost your resume and open startup or product roles later. Minghao CHEN
Thank you comment icon I did my master’s abroad and it was worth it, but only because I had a clear goal. Make sure it aligns with where you want to go, not just because it sounds impressive. Minghao CHEN
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Billy’s Answer

Hi Josek, IT is an amazing filed to build a career in and sky is the limit as far as where you can take it. I feel you could gain some field experience working for a few years before pursuing a Data Science Master's degree. It is possible that the employer may provide tuition assistance for an advanced degree. Once you have some experience working in production env., you could start to transition towards your own venture developing Education related applications. Real world experience will expose you to the whole lifecycle of SW development and help you make better plans for your own venture. Also remember when you work for a company, they will have control over your career trajectory to an extent and when you run your venture you will set the altitude you want to achieve. I wish you all the best in the path ahead.
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Elliot’s Answer

Hi Josek,

There is a saying, "You can do anything, but not EVERYthing.

You've got quite a list here. You need explore each of these more and try some of it and see what your favorite choice is and FOCUS. You listed several languages which are fun to learn and use but realize it takes time to learn all of those and time to get skilled using them. You mentioned front end web design...have you tried it yet? Also know that AI has arrived and is changing the equation for software engineers daily. You might want to add AI to your list!

Yesterday, I watched an online conference where AI is used to create an app start to finish in just minutes...your idea sounds intriguing but you'd need to research if it is still unique and marketable enough to make it worth your while to pursue it.

I like the Masters idea - it could give you some time to explore some/all of these in some depth and you can narrow your choices down. Ultimately I would choose whichever one of these you really find that you ENJOY the most!

Good luck!
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Sneha’s Answer

Hi Josek! Each option has great potential, so choose based on what excites you most. If you enjoy structured learning and working on large projects, becoming a backend developer at a tech company will give you hands-on experience and career growth. If you're passionate about building something of your own, launching your education app could be rewarding but comes with risks, requiring business and product development skills. A master’s in data science is ideal if you love analytics and want to specialize, but consider the financial investment and whether industry experience first would be beneficial. No matter the path, keep learning, networking, and building real-world projects to set yourself up for success. Good luck!
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Kavitha’s Answer

Hello Josek, you've got some fantastic options ahead of you! Option 1 is a great fit for your interests and skills. It offers financial stability, chances for professional growth, and a strong sense of purpose, which can really boost your confidence. While it might have limited flexibility, it allows you to explore options 2 and 3 as personal side projects in your free time. Once you gain more knowledge and experience, you can even fund and take risks with options 2 and 3. Plus, you have the choice to take a break for your master's degree or pursue it part-time while working as a backend developer. Remember, as Sneha says, it's crucial to keep learning and growing, no matter which path you choose. You've got this!
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Ashutosh’s Answer

You have plenty of options, and nothing is set in stone. You can begin your journey as a developer at a company, learn the ropes, and discover what you enjoy. Later, you can pursue a master's degree. By then, you'll have some savings and a clearer idea of your interests. Plus, companies often appreciate employees who grow their skills through both work and education.
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Christopher’s Answer

Hi Josek -

In the IT world, some areas are always in high demand and offer great job opportunities. These include cybersecurity, cloud computing, data science, and software development. Let's take a closer look at these exciting fields:

Cybersecurity - With more and more cyberattacks happening, experts in cybersecurity are needed to keep data and systems safe.

Cloud Computing - As companies use more cloud services, they need cloud engineers and architects to help run and look after these systems.

Data Science - Businesses rely on data to make smart decisions, so people who can analyze and understand big data sets are really important.

Software Development - Skilled software developers are always in demand as companies work on creating and improving their software tools.
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