For a long time, I thought having connections meant having a large number next to “Connections” on my LinkedIn profile. I used to look at 100 connections, then 200, and think that the number itself mattered when applying for jobs.
Over time, I realized that I had misunderstood what a connection really meant.
A meaningful connection isn’t about how many people you have in your network. It is about having someone you can talk to, share your thoughts with, and learn from; someone who can help you look at a situation differently, navigate your thought process, or simply encourage you when you’re figuring out your next step.
That realization became especially important to me as an international student navigating college, graduation, and the job search in the United States. I came here with a lot of dreams, but like many students, I also had a lot to figure out. I eventually learned that I didn’t need one person to guide me through everything. At different stages of my journey, different people helped me see my next step more clearly.
My First Mentor: Learning How to Present Myself
One of my first meaningful mentoring experiences began through the career services office at the university where I was pursuing my master’s degree. The moment I learned about an opportunity to connect with alumni, I immediately took action.
Reaching out to a university alumnus through LinkedIn and email completely shifted my perspective on the U.S. job market. I knew I possessed solid technical skills and experience, but I hadn’t yet mastered how to translate them into a high-impact resume.
Our conversation introduced me to practical ways to make my resume more focused and impactful. One concept that stood out was the XYZ approach, a simple framework for writing stronger resume bullets by connecting an achievement (X) with the context (Y) and the action (Z) behind it. Instead of simply listing what I was responsible for, I learned to highlight measurable results, explain the situation or problem, and show the specific technologies, methods, or actions I used to create that result.
He showed me how to move beyond listing responsibilities and instead quantify my impact: how much data I worked with, what percentage of a process I improved, how much work I completed, and what portion I successfully automated. That helped me turn statements about my day-to-day responsibilities into stories about the value I created.
That single interaction changed my entire approach.
I learned that a resume is not a historical archive of everything you have ever done. It is a strategic communication tool designed to convey your value to a recruiter who may only glance at it for a few seconds. Improving my resume was a major milestone, but it was only the first part of a much larger process.
My Second Mentor: Learning to Search Differently
The next hurdle was fundamentally shifting where and how I targeted my applications.
Like many job seekers, my initial strategy relied heavily on familiar platforms such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor. While I was actively applying, I was looking through a narrow lens and overlooking the broader landscape of organizations available to tech talent.
A trusted friend and senior connection challenged my approach. Their guidance pushed me to look beyond private technology companies and consider technical opportunities within the public sector and government organizations, avenues I had largely ignored.
This changed my entire thought process.
Instead of asking, “Where can I apply?” I started asking, “What kinds of organizations fit my goals?”
Broadening my application strategy changed the way I searched for opportunities. It opened the door to new conversations and interviews and eventually led to an exciting opportunity.
More importantly, I learned that a mentor’s value does not necessarily come from handing you a job. Sometimes their greatest contribution is simply expanding the way you think about opportunities.
From Getting the Interview to Being Prepared
Securing an interview invitation was a breakthrough, but it did not guarantee a job. I still had to learn how to articulate my technical knowledge, answer behavioral questions thoughtfully, and solve problems under pressure.
This was where my network and the resources provided by Rewrite the Code (RTC) became valuable.
Being part of the RTC ecosystem introduced me to preparation tools that helped me improve my interview preparation.. I used Interview Master to consistently practice and refine my SQL skills. NeetCode helped me develop a more structured approach to algorithmic problem-solving. Interactive interview preparation tools gave me opportunities to practice speaking through my answers and become more comfortable with the pacing of American interviews.
These resources did not replace hard work, and they did not guarantee an offer. What they provided was a safe environment to practice, adapt, and make mistakes before entering real technical conversations.
That preparation helped me build the confidence to explain my thought process clearly under pressure. It taught me an important lesson: obtaining an opportunity is one thing; being prepared when it arrives is another.
Learning to Speak Up
My journey with mentorship and connections didn’t stop when I started working. I soon realized that technical knowledge was only one part of being successful in a professional environment. I also needed to learn how to communicate with supervisors, contribute to meetings, and confidently share my ideas.
One experience that stayed with me happened during a production discussion about migrating from a traditional application to a new one. As stakeholders discussed how to move forward, I suggested first testing the process locally with sample data, validating the steps, and then proceeding with the actual migration.
The important part wasn’t whether my approach was perfect. It was that I was willing to contribute.
That experience taught me something I wish I had understood earlier: speaking up doesn’t mean you have to know everything. Sometimes it means listening carefully, understanding the problem, asking thoughtful questions, and sharing an idea.
Over time, I became more comfortable communicating with supervisors and stakeholders—not just about what I had completed, but also about what I found, what I needed, and what I thought the next step should be.
What Mentorship Means to Me Now
Reflecting on my career journey, I realize that my path was not cleared by a single guide. Instead, it was shaped by a mosaic of different people who offered clarity at important turning points.
One individual refined how I presented myself. Another expanded the way I searched for opportunities. The RTC community equipped me with tools to prepare for technical interviews and encouraged me to think about long-term professional development. Collectively, these experiences helped me become more confident in owning my voice in professional environments.
That is what mentorship means to me.
A mentor does not execute the tasks for you, nor do they hand you a position. A mentor expands your vision to include possibilities you may not have considered, offers an objective perspective, and empowers you to take the next step independently.
If I could pass one lesson back to my younger self, it would be this: stop counting the connections on your profile and start prioritizing the depth of your conversations.
Leverage your career services office. Engage with your university’s alumni network. Reach out authentically to people whose career paths inspire you. Join professional communities like RTC. Ask questions even when you are unsure of the perfect phrasing.
You do not need to find one flawless mentor.
You simply need the right people to help you see your next step clearly.
Gnana Spoorthy Bysani
I believe in the power of mentorship, meaningful connections, and learning from one another. I’m passionate about sharing experiences, supporting others in their journeys, and paying forward the guidance that helps us grow. Outside of work, I love dancing and finding new ways to learn, connect, and grow.