7 Years of Software Engineering Advice in 10 Minutes

Summary

In this video, the speaker, a Georgia Tech graduate and software engineer, shares valuable insights from their career to help aspiring tech professionals avoid common pitfalls. They emphasize that being well-liked, rather than just being a good coder, is crucial for career advancement. The speaker suggests taking on leadership roles, mentoring juniors, and being responsive to increase likability. They also discuss the steep learning curve in computer science and recommend daily practice on platforms like LeetCode. The video addresses the changing nature of the 9-to-5 job, the importance of internships, projects, and skills over GPA, and warns about the 'golden handcuffs' of big tech companies that can hinder entrepreneurial aspirations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Being a great coder isn't the only quality that defines a good software engineer; being likable and helpful can also lead to success.
• 💼 Intelligence or competence doesn't necessarily correlate with the highest pay; likability often plays a significant role in compensation.
• 📈 Taking on leadership roles, such as a scrum master, can increase your likability and visibility within a team.
• 🤝 Mentoring junior engineers and interns can enhance your reputation as a team leader and contribute to your likability.
• 📱 Responding quickly to work messages, even outside of working hours, can establish you as reliable and increase your likability.
• 🧠 The steep learning curve in computer science requires a shift in thinking and a commitment to daily problem-solving practice.
• 🔗 Utilizing resources like LeetCode and GeeksforGeeks can help beginners improve their problem-solving skills and coding abilities.
• 🕒 The traditional 9-to-5 work schedule is becoming less relevant, especially in remote work environments; working smart is more important than working long hours.
• 🏆 Prioritizing internships, projects, and skill-building over a high GPA can better prepare students for a career in software engineering.
• 🚀 Avoiding the trap of 'golden handcuffs', where high salaries and perks keep you tied to a company, is crucial for long-term career flexibility and entrepreneurship.
• 🌟 Treating your job as a place to learn and earn, rather than a lifelong commitment, can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and open up opportunities for future endeavors.

Q & A

What is the main message of the video regarding software engineering careers?

The main message of the video is that being a good coder is not the only quality that defines a successful software engineer. The video emphasizes the importance of being likable, responsive, and focusing on building a strong professional network and skillset.

Why does the speaker suggest that learning many programming languages might not be as beneficial as one might think?

The speaker suggests that learning many programming languages might not be as beneficial because it can be a wasted effort. The video mentions a study by the Harvard Business Review indicating that the most competent individuals are not necessarily the highest paid, and being likable can be more advantageous in a team setting.

What role did the speaker take on their team to become more likable?

The speaker took on the role of a scrum master for their software engineering team, leading daily standups and helping to solve problems and coordinate tasks, which made them more likable.

How did mentoring junior engineers and interns contribute to the speaker's likability and career growth?

Mentoring junior engineers and interns allowed the speaker to demonstrate leadership and investment in the team's growth, which not only made them more likable but also helped establish their leadership within the team.

What is the speaker's stance on 'quiet quitting' and how do they handle after-hours work messages?

The speaker disagrees with 'quiet quitting' and believes in being responsive and reliable. They always reply quickly to work messages, even after hours, to demonstrate their commitment and reliability.

Why does the speaker recommend solving at least one LeetCode problem daily for beginners in computer science?

The speaker recommends solving at least one LeetCode problem daily to train the brain in problem-solving and to gradually improve coding and problem-solving skills, starting from easy to medium and then hard problems.

What advice does the speaker give about working hours and the traditional 9-to-5 job in software engineering?

The speaker advises that the traditional 9-to-5 job is not suitable for software engineering, especially with remote work becoming more common. They suggest working smart and finding the hours that are most productive for each individual.

What are the three things the speaker suggests focusing on during college to build a strong resume for software engineering?

The speaker suggests focusing on internships, projects, and skills to build a strong resume. Internships provide real-world experience, projects showcase practical skills, and skills like programming languages and methodologies are essential for a software engineering career.

Why does the speaker warn against the concept of 'golden handcuffs' in the software engineering field?

The speaker warns against 'golden handcuffs' because they can make it difficult for software engineers to leave their high-paying jobs with many perks to pursue entrepreneurial ventures or other career paths, due to the financial security and lifestyle they provide.

What is the speaker's advice for handling the potential trap of 'golden handcuffs' in a software engineering career?

The speaker advises not to get too attached to the job and its perks, but to treat it as a place to learn and earn. This mindset can help software engineers avoid being trapped by 'golden handcuffs' and maintain the flexibility to pursue other opportunities.