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Alec, Senior Software Engineer at Fortune 100 Technology Company: Advize Career Interview
A Cal Poly computer engineering graduate's journey from a post-.com bust job search to a senior software engineering role at a Fortune 100 tech company reveals a dynamic career path.
The path involved navigating various roles, including a music startup, before settling into a long-term position where impactful work touches millions.
Success, according to this professional, hinges on a blend of coding enjoyment, adaptability, strong communication, and effective collaboration—even networking.
The daily work is a flexible mix of coding, meetings, and team collaboration, utilizing asynchronous communication tools.
A significant career lesson learned is the value of actively engaging with colleagues, building relationships, and speaking up.
Undergraduates considering similar roles should focus on practical skills, demonstrating abilities over advanced degrees, and embrace continuous learning, as the industry is constantly evolving and offers substantial salary growth through company changes.
A strong foundation in coding and a proactive, social approach are key ingredients for thriving in this field.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Alec Reitter
Senior Software Engineer
Fortune 100 Technology Company
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
none
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Computer Science
Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Greek Life Member
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Career Path of a Senior Software Engineer at a Big Tech Company
Alec's career path, beginning with a computer engineering degree from Cal Poly, involved a single relevant internship at a funded tech startup, followed by a challenging job search in the post .com bust era. After starting at eBay via a brother-in-law's connection and then moving to a music startup, Alec's career eventually led to a long-term position at the acquiring company, where "the bouncing around has definitely slowed down" since 2016.
Main Responsibilities of a Senior Software Engineer at a Top Tech Company
Alec, a senior software engineer, focuses on building features for a web application using Java and TypeScript, "building features can be fixing bugs, there's ongoing maintenance," and collaborating with others to efficiently deliver results. A significant portion of the role involves "figuring out how things get slotted in and how to delegate different work to different teams," showcasing leadership and system understanding developed over their tenure.
A Day In The Life Of A Senior Software Engineer At A Fortune 100 Technology Company
A senior software engineer's workday is a flexible mix of "meetings and getting stuff done," with a current office requirement of three days a week, allowing for a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work; much of the communication is asynchronous, utilizing Slack over email, and video calls connect geographically dispersed team members.
Key Skills for a Senior Software Engineer at a Fortune 100 Tech Company
A senior software engineer at a Fortune 100 tech company emphasizes the importance of enjoying coding, "because you're gonna hate it" otherwise. Beyond technical skills, adaptability, collaboration, and effective communication—including navigating diverse teams and cultural nuances—are crucial for success, with networking adding further value by enabling problem-solving through connections.
Favorite Parts of Being a Senior Software Engineer at a Fortune 100 Company
Alec, a senior software engineer, finds satisfaction in the established team dynamics, stating that "I know how to do my job," allowing for balanced workflow and impactful product influence. The reach of Alec's work, touching "millions of people," provides significant personal fulfillment despite the anonymity of the role.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Senior Software Engineer at Fortune 100 Tech Company
Alec's biggest challenge as a Senior Software Engineer is the ever-changing industry, requiring continuous learning to "hang with the times". This highlights the dynamic nature of the tech field and the need for ongoing skill development to remain relevant.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Technology Industry As A Senior Software Engineer
Alec, a senior software engineer, enjoys the industry's ability to "touch millions of people," the constant evolution of challenges, and the financial rewards, contrasting positively with prior experiences at a startup where "it wasn't always clear what we did." The opportunity to "build things," even if only "pixels on a screen," and the resulting brand recognition of Alec's current employer are also significant sources of satisfaction.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Software Engineering, According To A Senior Software Engineer At A Major Tech Company
Alec, a Senior Software Engineer, highlights that success in the tech industry hinges on a blend of technical aptitude and interpersonal skills; individuals who "enjoy the logic aspect" of coding while also possessing strong communication and collaboration abilities, viewing the job "as being part of a team," are most likely to thrive.
What A Senior Software Engineer At A Big Tech Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Technology Industry
Alec, a senior software engineer, advises new entrants to the industry not to be "too afraid about how much you don't know," emphasizing continuous learning and exploring different areas to find strengths and effective collaboration methods; the interviewee also notes that switching companies offers significant salary increases and that the industry operates on longer-term project timelines than the shorter academic cycles of college.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Software Engineers
Despite recent tech slowdowns, many entry-level software engineering jobs are available for undergraduates, with the interviewee suggesting that "you might have to be open to try something new," and emphasizing practical skills over advanced degrees; a bachelor's degree and demonstrable skills are sufficient, as "we don't care. What can you do?".
Significant Career Lesson From a Senior Software Engineer at a Major Tech Company
Alec, a senior software engineer, identifies "be social" as a significant career lesson, emphasizing the importance of "talk[ing] to people, mak[ing] friends," and actively "speak[ing] up" to stand out in a field where many remain quiet. This proactive approach, Alec suggests, has significantly benefited their career trajectory.
College Experiences That Helped A Senior Software Engineer At A Fortune 100 Technology Company Succeed
Alec's undergraduate experience included joining a fraternity, which, despite distractions, enhanced social skills, and a senior project building a multimedia jukebox. This project required learning Linux and other software, providing a significant "boost" to the start of Alec's career by preemptively teaching skills otherwise learned on the job.
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