When I first joined back in May, I was excited to start my Embedkari experience. My college exposure was strictly limited to basic 8051 theory, so I lacked practical hands-on experience. I was eager to build practical technical skills. However, I was worried about whether I would be able to grasp concepts or manage all the self-paced modules independently.
To be honest, I didn’t have huge expectations initially—my single goal was simply to upskill myself. Because I knew that entering the tech industry requires strong practical skills. Along the way, I discovered ecosystem of hands-on learning, referrals, and interview opportunities that helped me in starting my career.
The Turning Point in My Learning
Since I had already completed college, I established a consistent study routine to make sure I completed all the courses on time. During the initial Developer Kit phase, following the live code line-by-line in real-time was challenging for me because it was completely new, though I always grasped the theoretical concepts during live explanations. The real breakthrough happened when I dedicated myself entirely to self-study using the self-paced videos—that was when the code finally started clicking.
While I knew about STM32 before joining, I had never actually worked with it. After enrolling, I got the chance to work hands-on with tools like STM32CubeIDE and practice register-level programming. A big part of my learning came from the 175-lecture course, which gave a deep theoretical and practical explanation of peripherals using Keil. After watching those videos, I verified the registers on my own board and wrote the code in STM32CubeIDE. Doing that independently gave me a lot of confidence that I could learn things much better.
During this phase, several smaller self-paced modules were also provided—like motor control, Modbus protocol, Embedded C, Embedded DSA, Digital Electronics, string manipulation, bit manipulation, and Embedded C with 8085—which really helped strengthen my basics. Additionally, modules like firmware interview preparation, hardware design, PCB basics, and IoT gave me broader industry exposure early on.
Studying peripherals was far from easy initially. Concepts didn’t stay in my mind easily, and I had to review them repeatedly, which left me stressed about retention. However, the turning point came when I learned how to debug code independently. Whenever I got stuck while coding, I made sure to follow proper guidance regarding AI: rather than just copying solutions from ChatGPT, I used it to break down and understand the core logic completely so that I could explain it thoroughly on my own. Gradually, that initial worry turned into genuine interest. Playing with the board, writing code, and seeing things actually work built real technical confidence in me.
Expanding Horizons with TouchGFX and Embedded C++
Along with register-level programming, there was also a great suggestion to explore HMI during the Developer Kit phase. So I downloaded TouchGFX and started working on it. Initially, while exploring HMI in TouchGFX, my focus was mainly on making the graphics and front-end UI without touching the backend code.
During my time in the Premium Kit, I got opportunities to present in front of senior community members at different times—covering both keypad interfacing in Keil with Atmel 8051 and my TouchGFX HMI project. Presenting to seniors really helped me build confidence and overcome stage fright.
Recognizing my successful presentation to the seniors, Embedkari provided me with access to an extra Embedded C++ course as a reward. Once access to these Embedded C++ classes was provided, it became much easier to understand the actual backend code generated by TouchGFX behind those graphical designs.
Deepening Domain Expertise in the Premium Kit
In the Premium Kit, I explored advanced domains like RTOS, Linux, Ethernet, networking concepts, and IEC standard project concepts alongside Embedded C++. Diving into these modules gave me a comprehensive understanding of complex, production-grade embedded systems and bridged the gap between pure firmware and higher-level software design.
Beyond technical learning, my online professional presence grew significantly. When I started six months ago, I had zero connections on LinkedIn. After updating my profile picture and sharing regular updates on guidance, my network grew steadily to over 408 connections today. Publishing three technical articles on embedkari.org was another milestone I never imagined achieving before joining.
Interview Opportunities and Career Placement
Through referrals and opportunities provided during this journey, I appeared for interviews with three companies:
- First Attempt: An online interview that gave me my initial exposure.
- Second Attempt: I cleared the face-to-face round in Noida and got selected. Although personal family circumstances prevented me from joining, that selection gave me great confidence.
- Third Attempt: In late September, I cleared the online round, went to Gurgaon for the face-to-face interview, and got selected for a domain that integrates both hardware and software.
Looking Ahead
My upcoming role in Gurgaon involves a domain that integrates both hardware and software. Since the company mentioned during the interview that they work extensively on Embedded Linux. Moving forward, my focus is on learning RTOS and Embedded Linux device drivers well so I can manage both hardware debugging and software tasks smoothly. I continue improving myself in expressing my technical thoughts clearly under pressure or whenever required. And complete all the remaining self-paced courses that were provided to me alongside doing my job.
Overall, my Embedkari experience gave me far more than technical training—it gave me a career. For anyone starting out, consistency, independent debugging, and a willingness to learn from scratch make all the difference.