Another connection reached out. He was surprised that this time it was from his engineering background rather than his computer science background:

"MEP industry…might have a job for you…send me your email, LinkedIn, resume, and a phone number…do you know Revit?…AI experience?"

After several changes to the resume in order for it to stand out, his information was sent. That's part of the reason why he struggled to write anything last time. In addition to the time crunch he faced, what with starting late and catching up on the day before, he was preoccupied with this new opportunity. He still feels upset that he wasn't able to pursue just at least one "scheduled day" of work. But, after all, balance is key.

Due to the more design-focused nature of the potential prospect, as well as being in the MEP space, it was highly recommended by the college friend that he receive at least some exposure to Revit and AutoCAD, 3D- modeling and design software he had never considered using, let alone getting training in. But the opportunity may be too good to pass up. So he enrolled in a 1-month trial of LinkedIn Premium in order to access their Learning feature and get some exposure. At this point, he'll do anything to boost his professional standing. It's why he decided to start this whole series. Perhaps he should frame it as a shorter, intensive version of cert-studying.

Perhaps he only has time for one or the other. And considering the Revit video lectures only total about 4.5hrs, that may be the task or today. He isn't sure what notes would look like since there isn't necessarily an exam to study for. Either way, he'll be busy today.

Revit

Rather than more traditional learning, the Revit tutorials on LinkedIn Learning went through the process of designing rooms in a building within the actual software. Perhaps that is best: rather than simply talking about topics, like what he had done with CompTIA training, this kind of learning was for a very specific tool. Of course it would make sense to actually tour the tool and all of its features and capabilities.

Job Hunting

Applications

• HNTB — Technology Support Rep I An IT position that is especially close to where he is. The only major requirement is a B.S. in CS, so A+ could only help. Company was discovered when reaching out to alum (see below).
• HCL Technologies — Deskside Technician "Preferred at least 5yrs experience", but they do require A+, perhaps there is a chance.

Research, Follow-Ups, and More

Signed up for alumni event and sent messages to two in attendance, hoping to find some opportunity within either of their companies.

Summary

He had never thought he would be reaching out to older alumni for help in the job search. It wasn't a pride thing, it's just that he's not used to confrontation out of the blue. Always a guise of Internet safety and privacy concerns, not wanting to share more of himself than he needs to. Even so, he reached out to two alumni who would be attending an upcoming event.

Reaching out has always been the worst for him. He can't explain why. Every time he even entertains the idea of hamming himself up, putting on a mile-wide smile, and greeting others with every friendly gesture known to man, he tenses up. He freezes. He feels…despair, almost. It's a combination of things, he thinks. For one, it's all an act. People showcasing their skills, respectfully bragging about what they are able to accomplish, sometimes giving career advice with such bravado and authority, spouting what they believe will help others find success. He can't stand that, quite honestly.

9/10 times, these viral posts, these attempts to sell oneself, it feels almost disingenuous. Why must he be so pompous online about what he was or is able to do? He already worked hard, without stop, following everything he was supposed to do, everything he was recommended to do, to the letter, for nearly 14 years of his life. Shouldn't he not have to prove anything to anyone? Let his ability and accomplishment speak for themselves?

Perhaps Holden Caufield, a character the graduate had once hated in youth for his inability to find true meaning in anything and claiming everything and everyone was a "phony," was onto something.

But he knows better. he knows he can get cynical. And he supposes the Caufield comparison is truer now more than ever.

He too is afraid to grow up. To move on. For things to change. He feels he isn't ready for it. Why should someone like him be where he is now? Not in the sense that "he deserves more" but rather "how did he even get here?", a thought he's had since the start of college. He was never that handy with electronics in the first place. Classes he took felt like entire summits to overcome every single week. Who is he, to stand on the same footing as some of his other classmates or friends who already have everything figured out (seemingly, anyways)?

It's like this every month for him: an wave of high expectations, overwhelming thoughts and choices to make. Hopefully things will change, though. And based on his recent efforts, it seems like that may be the case.

Well, he can only hope.

Checkpoints

• Completed "Learning Revit 2026" via LinkedIn Learning
• Connected with two alumni + coordinated a meetup to occur next week
• Applications sent: 2

Major Takeaways

• Revit (from Autodesk) is a Building Information Modeling (BIM) software used by architects, engineers, and contractors to design, document, and manage buildings in 3D; it allows for dynamic viewing, modification, and rendering of schematics, plans, and sketches across a variety of camera views
• Networking, no matter how strongly one may feel about it, is a necessary evil in order to connect with potential opportunities