What Type Of Person Thrives In The Software Engineering Industry According To A Software Engineer At Big Tech Company
Matthew, a Software Engineer III at Big Tech Company, describes thriving software engineers as possessing a blend of intellectual curiosity and meticulousness, emphasizing the need to "dot your i's and cross your t's" while also being creative and communicative, particularly in code reviews where the ability to give constructive criticism is crucial for career advancement. Effective time management and the awareness to recognize when to seek help are also vital, as successful engineers must prioritize tasks and avoid getting bogged down, demonstrating the importance of metacognition.
Intellectual Curiosity, Attention to Detail, Communication Skills, Time Management, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Matthew Gagliardi
Software Engineer III
Big Tech Company
University of San Diego
U.C. Berekely . M.A. mathematics
Mathematics, Data Science, Statistics, Philosophy
Arts, Entertainment & Media, Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Intellectual curiosity and a love for learning are essential for thriving in the software engineering industry.
2. Strong communication skills, including the ability to provide constructive code reviews, are crucial for career advancement from junior to senior engineer.
3. Effective time management and the ability to prioritize tasks, along with knowing when to seek help, are important for managing competing demands and avoiding getting stuck on individual tasks.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in your industry?
That's a great question, and it's something I think about a lot. People who thrive in this industry are very intellectually curious. You have to be someone who loves to learn.
You also need really good attention to detail. While being creative and experimental, you must recognize that you're creating a product people will rely on. For instance, if you're making medical devices, that product could be a matter of life and death.
Attention to detail is crucial, so you have to be able to focus. It's not about having laser-sharp focus constantly, but you can't always beat around the bush. You really have to dot your i's and cross your t's.
Good communicators and outgoing people also do well. Software engineering attracts many introverts, but you need to push yourself out of that comfort zone to engage more.
This includes things like making comments in code reviews. Code reviews are a process where you post code and invite others to critique or approve it. Learning to give a good code review means putting yourself in another engineer's shoes, understanding their choices, and offering constructive, non-offensive suggestions. This is hugely important and leads to career progression.
Finally, I would say time management is key. You need to know how to complete tasks, move on, and prioritize. Recognizing if you're spending too long on something and reaching out for help is also vital. You have to have metacognition, knowing when a task is taking too long.
You'll be pulled in many directions, and can't just work on things you enjoy. Knowing when to stop and ask for help is hugely important. These are the skills that people who thrive possess.