Backend

Hey all, I’m looking for some honest advice from people who may have been in a similar situation. I have about 4 years of professional experience as a backend software engineer, primarily working with Java and Spring Boot. I worked at a consulting firm where I built and maintained REST APIs, worked on authentication/SSO systems, handled production support, and helped improve system performance and security. I was laid off in mid-2024 when my project ended. I spent months applying for SWE roles but wasn’t getting traction, so eventually I had to take a Lead Support Engineer position at an MSP just to stay employed. I’ve been there for about 6 months now. The job is stable, but it’s not software engineering, and I’m worried the longer I stay away from development, the harder it will be to return. Right now my plan is to give myself about a year to reset and prepare, including: * Re-studying data structures and algorithms * Preparing for system design interviews * Building a serious backend project * Consistently applying for roles again But honestly, I’m not even sure where to begin anymore. The market feels very different than when I got my first SWE job. Some things I’m struggling with: * Should I focus on LeetCode, projects, or networking first? * How do I explain the gap / move to support without hurting my chances? * Is it realistic to return to SWE after stepping into support? * What would you focus on if you had \~1 year to re-enter the field? If anyone has gone through something similar or has advice on how to structure this comeback, I’d really appreciate hearing your perspective.