From Multiple Rejections to SDE | How Consistency Shaped My Tech Journey

Hi, I'm Het Mehta, a Computer Science and Design student at CVM University with a strong interest in software development, AI, cybersecurity, and competitive programming.

I'm a Candidate Master in competitive programming, an Ethical Hacker at Cisco, and a 3-time National Hackathon winner. Currently, I'm working as a Software Development Engineer (SDE) and DSA Mentor.

I enjoy solving challenging problems and building real-world applications that create meaningful impact. But reaching this stage took consistent effort, learning from mistakes, and dealing with several setbacks along the way.

How TakeUForward Helped Me Build My DSA Foundation

• TakeUForward was one of the biggest contributors to my interview preparation. When I started learning DSA, figuring out what to study and how to approach problems could be confusing.

• TUF's structured DSA roadmap gave me a clear direction. The sheet, detailed explanations, and interview-focused content helped me develop strong problem-solving skills and understand different approaches to solving problems.

• It also played an important role in my competitive programming journey and helped me strengthen my problem-solving abilities. The preparation gave me more confidence during coding rounds and helped me secure interview opportunities, including an interview at Odoo.

My Preparation Strategy, Consistency Over Shortcuts

My preparation strategy was simple, stay consistent and keep improving.

I focused on completing DSA topics through the Striver sheet while making revision an important part of my routine. Alongside that, I regularly participated in coding contests, analysed my mistakes, and worked on improving my problem-solving speed and accuracy.

I also worked on development projects to strengthen my resume and have meaningful technical discussions during interviews.

Balancing DSA, competitive programming, and development helped me grow both as a problem solver and as a software developer.

Rejections That Made Me Better

My journey wasn't smooth. I faced multiple rejections before things started moving in the right direction.

Instead of getting discouraged, I tried to understand what went wrong after every interview. Sometimes I needed to improve my DSA skills, while at other times I had to work on communication or explaining my projects better.

Every interview became an opportunity to identify my weaknesses and work on them. Gradually, I became more confident in both competitive programming and technical interviews.

From Learning DSA to Mentoring Others

One of the most meaningful parts of my journey is that I'm now working as an SDE and DSA Mentor.

My experience with problem-solving and interview preparation has also given me an opportunity to guide others in their DSA journey. I believe teaching concepts helps strengthen your own understanding while helping others avoid some of the confusion you faced initially.

What I'd Tell Juniors Starting Their Journey

My advice is to trust the process and avoid shortcuts. Focus on building strong fundamentals instead of chasing numbers.

• Follow a structured DSA roadmap and complete topics systematically.

• Revise previously solved problems regularly.

• Participate in coding contests and analyse every mistake.

• Build a few high-quality projects that demonstrate your skills.

• Keep applying and learning, even after facing rejections.

Most importantly, don't compare your journey with others. Everyone has a different starting point and pace.