Industry Secrets We Wish We Knew Before Graduating (Staff Engs Talk at UCLA)

📚 Video Chapters (19 chapters):

• Intro - 00:00
• Primer on SWE levels - 01:47
• How to succeed as an intern? - 06:12
• How did you get promoted quickly? - 09:13
• How much of success is luck? - 11:36
• If you had one piece of advice, what would it be? - 13:32
• What if I’m not a gigachad coder? - 16:11
• How to handle imposter syndrome? - 19:12
• How to advocate for yourself? - 21:36
• Big tech vs startups for new grads? - 24:20
• How do people measure impact? - 30:28
• Would an MBA help for eng management? - 32:17
• How was college recruiting? - 33:45
• How do you make as much money as possible? - 36:10
• Parting words - 38:00
• What are your current goals? - 40:10
• Thoughts on job hopping? - 42:02
• What Ricky works on? - 45:49
• Thoughts on how AI affects engineering? - 46:06

📹 Video Information:

Title: Industry Secrets We Wish We Knew Before Graduating (Staff Engs Talk at UCLA)
Duration: 47:58

Overview

This video offers a detailed, candid exploration of a software engineer’s career path, covering everything from understanding software engineering (SWE) levels, internship success, rapid promotion, and managing imposter syndrome, to navigating job choices between big tech and startups, measuring impact, and the role of advanced education like MBAs. The chapters build progressively from foundational career concepts and personal development strategies to broader industry insights and future-facing topics like AI’s impact on engineering. Together, they provide a holistic roadmap for aspiring and early-career engineers aiming to navigate and excel in the tech industry.

Chapter-by-Chapter Deep Dive

Intro (00:00)

• Core Concepts: Sets the stage for a comprehensive discussion on software engineering careers, emphasizing practical advice and real-world experiences.
• Key Insights: Introduces the intention to demystify career progression and share actionable strategies.
• Actionable Advice: Encourages viewers to engage with all chapters as each addresses distinct yet interconnected aspects of career growth.
• Connection: This chapter frames the video’s narrative, preparing viewers for a journey from foundational knowledge to advanced career considerations.

Primer on SWE levels (01:47)

• Core Concepts: Explains software engineering career levels (e.g., junior, mid, senior) and their expectations.
• Key Insights: Emphasizes that levels are benchmarks for skills, impact, and responsibility rather than rigid titles.
• Actionable Advice: Suggests focusing on mastering skills and delivering impact appropriate to one’s level to progress.
• Examples: Discusses typical responsibilities and growth markers at various levels.
• Connection: Establishes a baseline understanding essential for later discussions on promotion and success.

How to succeed as an intern? (06:12)

• Core Concepts: Outlines strategies for making the most of an internship.
• Key Insights: Success as an intern hinges on proactive learning, asking questions, and delivering tangible contributions.
• Actionable Advice: Recommends building relationships, seeking feedback, and taking ownership of small but meaningful projects.
• Connection: Builds on the primer by addressing the first practical step in a SWE career path.

How did you get promoted quickly? (09:13)

• Core Concepts: Shares personal strategies behind rapid career advancement.
• Key Insights: Highlights consistent delivery, visible impact, and effective communication as key drivers.
• Actionable Advice: Focus on solving important problems, volunteer for challenging tasks, and document achievements clearly.
• Connection: Deepens understanding of career progression mechanisms introduced earlier.

How much of success is luck? (11:36)

• Core Concepts: Discusses the role of luck versus effort in career success.
• Key Insights: Acknowledges luck but stresses preparation and seizing opportunities as critical.
• Actionable Advice: Cultivate skills and networks to increase the chances of “lucky” breaks.
• Connection: Adds nuance to the promotion discussion, balancing merit and circumstance.

If you had one piece of advice, what would it be? (13:32)

• Core Concepts: Distills career advice into a singular guiding principle.
• Key Insights: Prioritize continuous learning and adaptability.
• Actionable Advice: Stay curious, embrace challenges, and be open to feedback.
• Connection: Reinforces themes of growth and resilience threaded throughout the video.

What if I’m not a gigachad coder? (16:11)

• Core Concepts: Addresses concerns about not being an elite coder.
• Key Insights: Success does not require being the best coder but being reliable, collaborative, and impactful.
• Actionable Advice: Leverage strengths such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.
• Connection: Offers reassurance and practical guidance, emphasizing diverse paths to success.

How to handle imposter syndrome? (19:12)

• Core Concepts: Explores imposter syndrome common among engineers.
• Key Insights: Imposter feelings are normal; focus on evidence of competence and growth.
• Actionable Advice: Keep track of achievements, seek mentorship, and normalize vulnerability.
• Connection: Supports mental well-being, a key factor for sustained career progress.

How to advocate for yourself? (21:36)

• Core Concepts: Discusses self-advocacy in the workplace.
• Key Insights: Being proactive about communicating accomplishments and career goals is vital.
• Actionable Advice: Prepare clear talking points for reviews, ask for feedback, and negotiate confidently.
• Connection: Ties into promotion and impact measurement themes.

Big tech vs startups for new grads? (24:20)

• Core Concepts: Compares career paths in big tech companies versus startups.
• Key Insights: Big tech offers structure and mentorship; startups provide broad exposure and impact.
• Actionable Advice: Choose based on personal learning style and career goals.
• Connection: Helps new grads make informed choices aligned with their development needs.

How do people measure impact? (30:28)

• Core Concepts: Explains different ways engineers’ work impact is evaluated.
• Key Insights: Impact includes code quality, project delivery, mentorship, and business outcomes.
• Actionable Advice: Track contributions beyond code, including team and product influence.
• Connection: Reinforces the importance of holistic performance evaluation for growth.

Would an MBA help for eng management? (32:17)

• Core Concepts: Evaluates the value of an MBA for engineering managers.
• Key Insights: MBA can help with business acumen and leadership but is not mandatory.
• Actionable Advice: Consider MBA if interested in strategic roles or transitioning to product/business leadership.
• Connection: Addresses career advancement beyond technical tracks.

How was college recruiting? (33:45)

• Core Concepts: Shares experiences and tips for college recruiting.
• Key Insights: Early preparation and networking are key success factors.
• Actionable Advice: Practice interviews, build projects, and connect with recruiters.
• Connection: Useful for students preparing to enter the industry.

How do you make as much money as possible? (36:10)

• Core Concepts: Discusses strategies for maximizing earnings.
• Key Insights: Leverage skills, negotiate offers, consider equity, and be open to job changes.
• Actionable Advice: Research market rates, build rare skills, and time moves strategically.
• Connection: Complements career progression and job hopping discussions.

Parting words (38:00)

• Core Concepts: Offers final reflections and encouragement.
• Key Insights: Emphasizes persistence, continuous growth, and aligning work with passion.
• Actionable Advice: Stay patient and maintain balance.
• Connection: Synthesizes earlier advice into a motivational close.

What are your current goals? (40:10)

• Core Concepts: Shares personal goals and future plans.
• Key Insights: Focus on impactful projects and personal development.
• Actionable Advice: Set clear, measurable objectives.
• Connection: Provides a real-world example of goal-setting.

Thoughts on job hopping? (42:02)

• Core Concepts: Examines pros and cons of switching jobs frequently.
• Key Insights: Job hopping can accelerate growth but risks perceived instability.
• Actionable Advice: Balance learning opportunities with demonstrating commitment.
• Connection: Expands on career and financial growth themes.

What Ricky works on? (45:49)

• Core Concepts: Details current projects and responsibilities.
• Key Insights: Involves high-impact, strategic initiatives.
• Actionable Advice: Align work with personal strengths and company mission.
• Connection: Gives practical context to earlier discussions.

Thoughts on how AI affects engineering? (46:06)

• Core Concepts: Discusses AI’s transformative impact on software engineering.
• Key Insights: AI will automate routine tasks and augment developer productivity.
• Actionable Advice: Stay updated on AI tools and adapt skills accordingly.
• Connection: Looks forward, encouraging adaptability in a changing landscape.

Cross-Chapter Synthesis

Several themes recur throughout the video:

• Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Emphasized in chapters like the primer on SWE levels, advice for interns, and the single piece of advice chapter, highlighting growth mindset as a foundation.
• Impact Beyond Coding: Repeatedly noted, especially in chapters about measuring impact, self-advocacy, and not needing to be a “gigachad coder,” underscoring diverse contributions to success.
• Strategic Career Management: Topics like promotion strategies, job hopping, salary maximization, and MBA considerations show the importance of deliberate career planning.
• Mental Health and Confidence: Addressed through imposter syndrome and self-advocacy, showing personal well-being as critical for sustainable success.
• Industry Context and Future Trends: Big tech vs startups and AI’s impact chapters broaden perspective, helping viewers understand the environment and prepare for change.

The video guides viewers from understanding basic career structures and early-stage success strategies, through navigating challenges and growth opportunities, to advanced considerations like leadership roles and emerging technologies. This structured progression ensures a comprehensive learning journey.

Actionable Strategies by Chapter

• Intro: Engage fully with the video for a complete career overview.
• Primer on SWE levels: Focus on matching skills and impact to your current level; aim for consistent growth.
• How to succeed as an intern: Be proactive, seek feedback, build relationships, and own projects.
• How did you get promoted quickly?: Deliver visible impact, communicate achievements, volunteer for challenging work.
• How much of success is luck?: Prepare rigorously and build networks to maximize opportunities.
• If you had one piece of advice: Commit to continuous learning and adaptability.
• What if I’m not a gigachad coder?: Leverage communication and teamwork strengths.
• How to handle imposter syndrome?: Track achievements, seek mentors, and normalize doubts.
• How to advocate for yourself?: Prepare clear points, ask for feedback, and negotiate assertively.
• Big tech vs startups: Choose based on preferred learning environment and career goals.
• How do people measure impact?: Document broad contributions including mentorship and business outcomes.
• Would an MBA help?: Consider if aiming for strategic or business leadership roles.
• How was college recruiting?: Prepare early, practice interviews, network extensively.
• How to make as much money as possible?: Develop rare skills, negotiate offers, consider equity, and time job changes.
• Parting words: Stay patient, persistent, and aligned with passion.
• What are your current goals?: Set clear, measurable goals focused on impact.
• Thoughts on job hopping?: Balance learning with stability to maintain reputation.
• What Ricky works on?: Align projects with strengths and mission.
• How AI affects engineering?: Embrace AI tools, update skills, and adapt workflows.

Warnings or Pitfalls Mentioned

• Imposter Syndrome (19:12): Don’t let self-doubt paralyze progress.
• Job Hopping (42:02): Excessive moves may signal instability.
• Overemphasis on Coding Skills (16:11): Avoid the trap of believing only elite coding leads to success.
• Luck (11:36): Recognize luck but avoid passivity; preparation is key.

Resources, Tools, or Next Steps

• Mentorship: Suggested for overcoming imposter syndrome and career growth.
• Networking: Emphasized for recruiting, job hopping, and increasing luck factors.
• Interview Practice: Recommended for college recruiting success.
• AI Tools: Encouraged to explore for staying competitive in engineering.

This comprehensive summary leverages the chapter structure to provide a clear, actionable roadmap for software engineers at various stages of their careers, integrating personal development, strategic career management, and industry insights.