About the Author
Hello everyone, I am a member of the C++ Embedded Development cohort 2., I graduated in 2024 from a non-prestigious university with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and I am currently working in Shenzhen as a C++ software developer with a salary of 17K.
I decided to switch to programming in my junior year, thinking that I had no computer science background at all; I had only learned a bit of Python during my undergraduate studies, and nothing else, which means I had no computer science foundation.
I then decided to take the 408 exam. Firstly, the 408 preliminary exam is relatively fair, and secondly, it allows me to learn the four fundamental areas of computer science, laying a foundation for my future career in the computer industry. However, things did not go as planned; in my first attempt in 2024, I only scored a meager 240 points, and in my second attempt in 2025, I only managed 304 points. I did not pass the national line in the first year, nor the university line in the second year, and I prepared for the second exam at home.
During the preparation for the graduate entrance exam, I was a bit lazy and lacked the determination to succeed, and the results were predictably unsatisfactory.
That is my background information: non-prestigious university, non-technical background, and two failed attempts (I had all the disadvantages stacked against me).
The Opportunity to Join Wangdao
I joined Wangdao because I had been using Wangdao textbooks for my 408 exam preparation over the past two years, and there was information about the Wangdao training camp in the early pages of the book, which is how I learned about it.
When the results of the preliminary exam came out, I felt sad and lost about the future, and I did not want to waste another year studying. Ultimately, after much reflection, I seized the opportunity to join the Wangdao training camp, especially since I am also from Hubei and studied in Wuhan. The next day, I took the subway directly to the Wangdao training camp and paid the deposit that same day (there was no turning back), and then began my experience at Wangdao.
During the five months at Wangdao, it was like living the life of a high school senior again, from 8 AM to 11 PM, six days a week, completely replicating the high school experience..
I went through two rounds of foundational computer knowledge training, and with the seven months of practical training at Wangdao (I also enrolled in a short-term course for a month and a half to prepare for the graduate entrance exam), I emerged fully capable, comparable to an average computer science graduate, and ultimately secured a job with a salary of 17K.
Experience at Wangdao
At Wangdao, I studied from 9 AM to 10 PM, six days a week, with one day off on the weekend, essentially getting a head start on the 996 work culture of programmers.
I joined Wangdao because I had failed the graduate entrance exam twice, and I was determined to make a change.
In the first month, I was very motivated, but as time went on, I became increasingly lax, which is normal. There is no need to overthink it; you can establish good habits in the first month or the first three weeks while your determination is still strong.
For example, Wangdao classes start at 9 AM, and I would wake up at 7:40 AM to try to get to the classroom by 8 AM to study, solve a few algorithm problems, or spend an hour each day on a small project. I learned an extra hour each day compared to others, and I gave myself positive self-affirmations, which indeed made me feel fulfilled every day. It is essential to have a plan; 120 days with one extra hour each day, and on weekends, I could add a few hours to tackle a project or practice algorithms, and memorizing coding principles was very rewarding.
Sometimes, when I saw classmates rushing into class right at 9 AM, I felt very calm and even a bit pleased (heh heh) because I had already studied for an hour, while you, my dear friend, were just getting up (this is self-affirmation). Moreover, mornings are the clearest time for the mind, making it suitable for deep thinking on complex problems.
Waking up around 7:30 AM requires going to bed before midnight (not later than 1 AM), so maintaining a good daily rhythm is indeed very important.
Taking notes is also a crucial part; you must leave traces (the same goes for work). When you feel lost, you can look back at your notes and see the passionate version of yourself from the past.
Additionally, you must have a place for self-affirmation. Use a notebook to take notes and write down your thought processes.
“The learning process is a continuous journey of learning and combating forgetfulness.” In simple terms, learning involves two things:
1. Learning new things.
2. Combating forgetfulness (regular review).
Students with good grades are generally good at combating forgetfulness because they can explain concepts to others, which helps them review the material, or they have a self-review system. “A good memory is not as good as a bad pen.” This is indeed a truth.
I remember when I completed my first project, I would take an afternoon or evening off, but instead of resting, I started organizing the project content, writing my resume, and taking notes.
Because of this, after 2-3 months, when I completed the last project, many classmates had already forgotten the first project, while I could look at my notes and the resume I created based on the project to recall the details. These are practical approaches that indeed work.
Some classmates had already learned C++ object-oriented programming before coming to Wangdao, so they learned quickly. Please do not feel discouraged; they have invested a lot of time and effort to perform effortlessly in front of us.
In every group meeting, I would explain concepts to my group members, and they often praised me, which was a source of positive feedback for me. Praise and encouragement from others, along with self-affirmation, are ways to gain positive reinforcement.
Moreover, explaining concepts to others can truly enhance your own understanding, so I encourage everyone to communicate more. If someone asks you about something they do not understand, please be sincere in your response.
Interview Experience
Interviewers will only ask you about the content on your resume, and at most, they will expand on related topics; they will not ask unrelated questions. Therefore, interviews are like leveling up in a game; you set the questions for yourself and let the interviewer assess you. The interviewer will ask questions based on your resume, and they will not bring up irrelevant topics, making it quite simple, akin to focusing on key points for an exam.
To be honest, I did not look at the 800 interview questions prepared by Wangdao much, but the results were still good. I referred to the coding principles from Xiaolin.
The most important aspects of an interview are:
1. Starting the interview
Many students are afraid to start or start late, thinking they have not finished learning. So what? What does it matter? If you want a salary of 10K-15K, do you expect me to build a rocket? You can learn during the interview; if you do not know something, just note it down. When the interviewer asks you challenging questions, write them down, and prepare answers for the next time. Since we set the key points ourselves, focusing on what is on the resume is straightforward.
I now work by asking AI questions and copying and pasting (my leader often praises me for my good work and fast progress). Everyone can do the same, unless you are offered over 40K to be an architect and write a foundational infrastructure.
Teacher Tianming was right: we are all just average!
2. Being persistent despite challenges and continuing to submit resumes.
You will definitely face challenges during interviews, so be mentally prepared; this is your moment of testing. Will you be discouraged after being challenged and stop submitting resumes for days or weeks, or will you summarize your experiences and keep trying? This is the test.
Remember: you will encounter questions you do not understand, and you will definitely get stuck. That is okay; write it down to prepare for the next interview.
In the early stages, I could interview twice a day. I usually scheduled interviews for 10:30 AM, woke up at 8 AM to review for over two hours, just like cramming before an exam, going over the questions I struggled with last time.
In the afternoon, I would schedule interviews for 4 PM, wake up from a nap at 2 PM, and review for two hours, also focusing on the questions I struggled with. The questions you are asked will likely come up again because “the key points are what we set,” and there are only so many key points, along with some project processes and experiences that also need preparation.
3. Receiving job offers.
Ultimately, the first two points are the most important, and the third point is to secure the offer! I hope everyone can receive satisfactory offers!
Final Thoughts
My true feelings after starting work: it’s all about the CV method, nothing else. Teacher Tianming was indeed correct! As long as you can use AI to ask questions, you will be fine.
Despite being from a non-prestigious university, having a non-technical background, and failing twice, I still managed to secure a 17K offer. I believe everyone can achieve this too.
Finally, I would like to thank all the teachers: Sister Panpan, Tianming, Xingkong, Lili, Zekun, and Changfeng. Thank you all!
Recommended Reading:
Come quickly to see! Another quarter of “Wangdao Teachers” has been announced!
Struggling in a non-prestigious master’s program at a gaming company, repeatedly criticized by Huawei leaders: “Your skills are lacking…”