College Experiences That Helped A Software Engineer At Google Succeed
Jay, a Google Software Engineer and Tech Lead, attributes their career success to a part-time, paid software engineering position held during undergraduate studies in Germany, emphasizing that "it's a little bit like riding a bicycle or playing basketball—you have to go out there and spend time doing it." This practical experience, supplemented by side projects, is crucial for translating theoretical knowledge into practical skills, a point Jay underscores by noting that "you can learn it's like there's so many analogies...you have to go out there and play basketball to get better."
Coding, Software Engineering, Practical Experience, Side Projects, Open Source Contributions
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jay Zelenkov
Software Engineer; Tech Lead
Munich University of Applied Sciences, 2012
N/A
Computer Science
Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
International Student, Honors Student, Took Out Loans, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. While studying, Jay worked part-time as a paid software developer for a medical company, applying learned skills practically.
2. He emphasizes the importance of hands-on coding experience, likening it to learning a sport – reading about it isn't enough; practice is key.
3. Jay suggests dedicating even a small amount of time (2 hours/week) to side projects, open source contributions, or personal projects to build practical coding skills. He calls these 'sandbox projects'
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad that set you up for success in your career?
As an undergraduate student, I worked part-time coding. I was hired as a contractor, or what they call a "working student" or "student intern" in Germany. It was a paid position for a medical company while I was writing software, applying the skills I learned in lectures.
I realized this was more common in Germany. It seems less common in the US to work part-time as a student intern while studying, not just in summer, but also during other semesters. However, I believe we can all still do side projects.
My recommendation would be to spend as much time as you can on side projects. Even two hours a week is better than nothing, and four hours a week is even better if you can manage it. If you can't spend 10 hours a week, focus on contributing to open source or starting your own project.
Think of it as a sandbox project. You can only get better at coding by coding. It's similar to learning basketball; you can't just read books about it. You have to go out and play.
The same applies to engineering. You can attend the best lectures and watch the best videos, but if you don't code yourself, those skills won't transfer and help you execute quickly in your job. It's like riding a bicycle; you have to practice. Reading books or listening to lectures about coding isn't enough.
Spending time coding while you're studying is probably the one key thing that will help you the most.