System Design Interview Prep:
A Beginner's Roadmap

Master core concepts, components, and strategies to crack your next interview with confidence.

Introduction

If you’ve been watching the tech space even a little, you’ve probably heard the buzzwords 5G and IoT (Internet of Things) tossed around. But beyond the hype, what do they actually mean for coders like us? Are they just marketing jargon, or are they going to actually affect the way we work, code, and build the future?

Spoiler: Yes, they will — and in more ways than you think.

Whether you’re a student, a new developer, or an experienced engineer looking to stay relevant, this blog will walk you through how 5G and IoT are shaping the coding job landscape — and why it matters right now.

What Are 5G and IoT, Really?

Let’s get the basic definitions out of the way.

5G is the fifth-generation cellular network technology. It’s not just “faster internet” — it brings ultra-low latency, higher data throughput, and massive device connectivity. This makes real-time communication smoother and more reliable.
IoT refers to billions of devices connected to the internet — everything from smart home gadgets to industrial sensors and wearable tech. These devices constantly collect, transmit, and sometimes process data.

Now imagine combining the two: lightning-fast communication + billions of interconnected devices = a whole new coding ecosystem

Real-World Impacts That Already Exist

Before we jump into what this means for future jobs, here’s how it’s already changing things:

Self-driving cars rely on low-latency communication.
Smart homes need responsive apps that control and automate devices in real time.
Health tech uses IoT to monitor patients and send alerts instantly.
Manufacturing is becoming smarter, with IoT-driven automation and maintenance.

And all of this? Needs software engineers to make it work.

🚀 How 5G & IoT Are Creating New Coding Opportunities

Let’s break down how these technologies are impacting software jobs — now and in the coming years.

1. Edge Computing Will Be the New Normal

With billions of IoT devices generating data, sending everything to the cloud is no longer practical. Enter edge computing — processing data closer to where it’s generated.

As a developer, this means:

You might be coding apps that run on tiny, low-power edge devices.
You’ll need to optimize performance for devices with limited memory and processing.
You’ll likely use languages like C/C++, Rust, or even Python on microcontrollers.

💼 Job titles like “Edge Developer” or “Embedded Software Engineer” are growing fast.

2. Real-Time Systems Will Be in Demand

5G enables real-time processing, and that’s huge for industries like:

Gaming (cloud-based, zero-lag gameplay)
Telemedicine (remote surgeries and instant diagnostics)
AR/VR (metaverse, anyone?)

Developers working in these areas will need:

Strong knowledge of multithreading, concurrency, and networking
Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS)
Comfort with low-level programming and hardware interfacing

🧠 The focus isn’t just on writing code — it’s on writing code that reacts in milliseconds.

3. Security Will Be a Core Skill

More devices = more vulnerabilities. IoT is already a hacker’s paradise, and 5G expands the attack surface dramatically.

What this means for coders:

You’ll need to write secure, encrypted, and privacy-compliant code.
Roles in IoT security, cybersecurity, and network protection will boom.
You’ll likely work with blockchain, zero-trust architecture, or secure firmware development.

🔐 Knowing how to code is no longer enough — you’ll need to code safely.

4. New Programming Languages & Frameworks

5G and IoT call for new tools:

TinyML for machine learning on small devices
MQTT for lightweight messaging protocols
WebAssembly (WASM) for speed in web-based IoT dashboards
Languages like Rust, Go, and Kotlin Multiplatform

This means continuous upskilling is the only way to stay in the game.

🧪 Think of it like this: If you know what tools the future uses, you’ll always be in demand.

5. More Cross-Disciplinary Roles

You may not just be writing code — you could be:

Working with hardware teams to deploy firmware
Analyzing sensor data with data scientists
Designing cloud-to-edge integration with DevOps experts

The boundaries between software and other fields are blurring. Interdisciplinary knowledge — especially combining software with hardware, data science, or UX — is becoming gold.

🤝 Team players who can speak multiple “tech languages” will rise faster.

What Should You Do Now to Stay Ahead?

If all of this feels overwhelming, don’t panic. Here’s a simple roadmap to align yourself with the 5G + IoT future:

Learn the basics of IoT

Use a Raspberry Pi or Arduino
Build a simple smart device (e.g., motion sensor light)

2. Experiment with edge computing

Use platforms like AWS IoT Greengrass or Azure IoT Edge
Try deploying ML models on microcontrollers

3. Master relevant protocols

MQTT, CoAP, HTTP/2
Learn how devices talk!

4. Sharpen your networking skills

Understand how 5G differs from 4G
Study concepts like bandwidth, latency, jitter

5. Prioritize security in everything you build

Learn about encryption, secure boot, and OTA updates

6. Get comfortable with new languages

Start exploring Rust, Go, and Kotlin — don’t wait till they’re mainstream.

Recommended Resources

Books

Cellular IoT: From 5G to 5G Advanced – by Ericsson researchers
5G and IoT for Next Generation Connectivity (2024)
Computational Intelligence Techniques for 5G Enabled IoT Networks (2025)

YouTube Channels

5G & Telecom Focus
IoT Tutorials & Projects
Embedded & Hardware

GitHub

Awesome-5G by Sara Baradaran
OpenLTE

Key Takeaways

Books give you the theory:
- 5G NR and Cellular IoT build a solid foundation on next-gen telecom.
- Introduction to IoT and Building the IoT simplify IoT concepts and practical use cases.
- Advanced titles cover security and AI/ML for IoT in 5G networks.
YouTube makes it practical:
- Channels like 3G4G5G, TelcoLearn, and Know5G-NR break down 5G architecture.
- IoT for All, Arduino IoT, and Raspberry Pi IoT show hands-on IoT projects.
- GreatScott! and Andreas Spiess are perfect for hardware and sensor tinkering.
GitHub is where you build:
- Explore free5GC, Open5GS, and OAI to experiment with open-source 5G cores.
- Use OpenRemote to manage IoT devices in real-world scenarios.
- Check out curated lists like Awesome-5G for more open projects.
Learning Roadmap:
1. Start with fundamentals (books).
2. Watch practical tutorials (YouTube).
3. Get hands-on with code & hardware (GitHub).
4. Dive into advanced topics like security, edge computing, and AI for IoT.

FAQs

1. Which books are best to start learning 5G and IoT?

Answer: If you’re a beginner, start with 5G NR: The New Radio Interface for 5G for telecom fundamentals and Introduction to IoT for IoT basics. Once comfortable, move to Cellular IoT: From 5G to 5G Advanced for integration and Building the Internet of Things for practical use cases.

2. Are there good YouTube channels for hands-on IoT and 5G tutorials?

Answer: Yes! For 5G, check out 3G4G5G and TelcoLearn. For IoT projects, follow IoT for All, Arduino IoT, and Raspberry Pi IoT. If you’re into hardware and sensors, Andreas Spiess and GreatScott! are highly recommended.

3. How can GitHub help me learn 5G and IoT?

Answer: GitHub hosts open-source projects you can directly experiment with. For 5G, explore free5GC and Open5GS to set up a 5G core network. For IoT, OpenRemote helps with device management. You can also find curated lists like Awesome-5G to discover new tools and frameworks.

4. What’s the best roadmap to learn 5G and IoT effectively?

Answer:

Books → Understand theory and architecture.
YouTube → Watch practical tutorials.
GitHub → Work on open-source projects.
Advanced Topics → Explore AI/ML, security, and edge computing in IoT.

5. Do I need programming skills to start with 5G and IoT?

Answer: Basic programming (Python, C/C++ for IoT hardware, and scripting for networks) helps a lot. But you can still start with conceptual books and YouTube tutorials before moving into coding-heavy GitHub projects.

🚀