What does it take to keep growing in tech after seven years in the industry? For Saji, a senior software engineer in the investment banking industry, the answer is simple: never stop learning. Even with 7+ years of experience, he chose to upskill and aim for product-based companies. In this Bosscoder Academy success story, he shares what pushed him to upskill, how mentorship changed his preparation, and his advice for fellow engineers.
The Challenge: From Self-Study to a Structured DSA Roadmap
Saji’s goal was clear: he wanted to join a good product-based company. The path to it was not. He watched YouTube videos, took Udemy courses and put in long hours on his own, but something was missing.
“I was not getting the correct picture of it, like from where to start, what to start.”
DSA was the biggest hurdle. He spent hours on LeetCode problems without knowing where all that effort was leading. Many experienced engineers will recognise this: plenty of resources, but no structure.
Saji’s Bosscoder Academy Experience: A Clear Roadmap to 500+ LeetCode Problems
Saji attended sessions that explained how the course would run, then joined Bosscoder Academy and followed a structured curriculum. His preparation stopped being random and started having a direction. After joining, he solved more than 500 LeetCode problems, a big shift from the hours he once spent unsure of his progress.
Personalized Mentorship and Realistic Mock Interviews at Bosscoder Academy
Saji says he got a very good mentor who explained everything clearly. The mock interviews stood out. He would prepare a set of DSA topics and ask his mentor to interview him on them. Where he expected simple or medium problems, she often gave him hard ones.
“Mock interview is just not a mock interview, it’s a real interview.”
Interviews rarely match your preparation. Unexpected questions come up, and facing them in a mock setting helped him build the composure real interviews demand.
Boosting Confidence and Profile Strength with Bosscoder Academy
The curriculum boosted Saji’s confidence, and the support went beyond DSA. The programme also covered how to handle LinkedIn and resumes, which he says helped him get good opportunities.
Saji’s Advice For Working Professionals
Saji’s advice to anyone unsure about upskilling is direct: if you want a long IT career, keep learning.
- Don’t get comfortable. Layoffs happen regularly in IT, so no single job or technology is permanent. Saji is currently upskilling in AI-based technologies.
- Learn what’s new. Bosscoder sessions on new technologies, and instructors who shared real-world examples, helped him stay current.
- Build on GitHub. Work on projects and contribute to open source. Many companies now look beyond LinkedIn to how many merge requests you’ve raised and how much code you’ve written.
Key Takeaways
- Experience alone isn’t enough; structured upskilling keeps you relevant.
- Random practice wastes effort, while a clear roadmap saves it.
- Harder-than-expected mock interviews prepare you for real ones.
- A strong LinkedIn profile and resume open doors.
- Open-source contributions and GitHub projects strengthen your profile.
Conclusion
Saji’s story shows that it’s never too late to upskill, even after 7+ years in tech. With the right structure, mentorship and consistent practice, experienced engineers can move toward their goals with confidence. If you’re ready to start your own journey, explore Bosscoder Academy’s programs, and watch Saji’s full interview on our YouTube channel.
