The "Senior" Junior Engineer Podcast

The "Senior" Junior Engineer

Andrew Locke
On the "Senior" Junior Engineer podcast we interview software engineers to learn what has helped them make the leap from junior to senior while distilling career advice and insights along the way. Hosted by Full Stack Software engineer, Andrew Locke. If you're interested in being interviewed for the podcast, check out the episode show notes for a link to signup.
Access and opportunity; Educational equity, frugality, and financial independence w/ Juan Carlos @ Apple
EPISODE SUMMARY This week I got the chance to interview a long-time friend, Techie, and designer Juan Carlos. Hailing from the great state of Nebraska, Juan graduated from Creighton University in 2017 with his Bachelors in CS, before moving out to the Bay area to "grab a slice of the tech industry" and begin his career as a Software Engineer at GE. Following GE, Juan moved to Apple and has since landed the title of Lead UI Engineer. Juan currently works remotely from his hometown of Omaha while keeping himself very busy with his many side hustles and projects. In this episode, we dig deep into how educational inequity, income inequality, and privilege impacts access to and within the tech industry. We dive into frugal living, and how to chart a path toward "retiring early". EPISODE NOTES Making the transition from fine arts to CSWhat it's like moving from the midwest out to Silicon ValleyTech and startup culture, how to navigate it without losing your mindNavigating the pressure and imposture syndrome as a new dev at a tech giant"It is up to us as developers to share the process we took to get into this industry"The importance of education - specifically CS & Technology How to leverage exp. in the tech space to impact low-income, marginalized communities.Being the person that says "You can do this" is the gateway for people who might not even know that this career path is an opportunity they can pursue."Life is more than just working and earning money."Living off your investments by living frugally and sticking to a plan.It's not about getting rich quick schemes, it's about intentionalityThe Fire movement (Financial Independence Retire Early) - you have enough money in investments that you can live off these investmentsHow the experience as a software engineer has influenced his approach to saving and investingHow to balance all of competing priorities as a leader, entrepreneur, mentor/coachThree biggest takeaways These things (tech, code, etc.) are built by people who are no smarter than you are. you are good enough, you'll figure it out.Read a lot more! Documentation, code, supplementary resources. Don't beat yourself up.beware of the hustle culture, burnout is real. The late nights and the "grind". Take care of yourself.Featuring Juan Carlos — Twitter, Github, Linkedin, Website, Youtube Andrew Locke — Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn, Medium LinksAsk me anything - If you have any questions, let me know! I'll do an episode where I answer your questions.Sign up to be on the podcastDel Rio Cuisine - Juan's family's catering businessMio Ts - Juan's T-shirt printing companyThe seven steps to financial independence
Mar 15, 2021
1 hr 14 min
"Build a company around people, not code" w/ Chris Klosowski @ Sandhills Development
Episode Summary This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Sandhills Development's Director of Technology, Chris Klosowski. Hailing from the Phoenix Metro, Chris shares his non-traditional path into engineering via a JR engineering program w/ GoDaddy, through his transition to Sandhills development where he helped grow and shape the team to what it is today. In this episode we discuss what it was like growing the team and culture at Sandhills and what it takes to make the transition from IC to Manager in the software world.Ask me anything - If you have any questions, let me know! I'll do an episode where I answer your questions.Sign up to be on the podcastEpisode notes If you're going to go to college, do something you'll actually enjoy.What you learn about the importance of team/ mentorship/management on growth during the "Jr" stage of your career.How to know when to "cut ties" & move on from a role?What to consider when looking at making a transition; It's what's important to you.IC vs Leadership → How to decide which path to take. (how do you measure your own success on a daily basis).Being the person that helps facilitate success for your team members.How being a father has impacted his role/work.Managing your time and defining prioritiesHow to "Build a company around people, not code"?go-to methods of keeping yourself on task, and productive in the midst of distractionTakeaways for someone considering transitioning from IC to leadership: Take a transition role if possible - Take a "tech lead" role, leadership without the "responsibilities"Spend some time talking to someone you really trust, get their perspective on your career, and leveraging your skills in the best way possible. Have those hard conversations with someone who can give a third party perspective"It's not for everyone", find what makes you happy and pursue that. You don't have to "climb" the ladder. That's ok.Featuring Chris Klosowski — Twitter, Github, Website Andrew Locke — Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn, Medium LinksAsk me anything - If you have any questions, let me know! I'll do an episode where I answer your questions.Sign up to be on the podcastA manager's pathLeaders eat lastHow becoming a parent has made me a better developerHistory of Sandhills Development 
Mar 8, 2021
1 hr 8 min
Coaching experts; going beyond “senior” w/ Laran Evans @ Achilles & Paris, LLC
EPISODE SUMMARY This week I got to speak with Achilles & Paris, LLC's CEO, and Coach Laran Evans. Laran, a veteran in the industry has taken his experience across small scrappy startups to large silicon valley megacorps. to start coaching "experts" on how to become better leaders and mentors. In this episode, we walk through Laran's career journey and dive deep into what makes a great leader. Listen this week to get some insights on how to continue growing past that "Senior" title and get better at working with the people around you. EPISODE NOTES Topics covered in this week's episode: Management, relationships, and navigating people as a software engineer.Is a degree in CS Worth it?How can a company/team/engineer start planning releases further out in advance?What was your experience stepping into management/leadership for the first time?"I didn't feel the same competence managing people as I did when I was building systems"what does it take to effectively "navigate people politics" as a software engineer?leveraging the opportunity potential in today's technological landscape"how do we help the people with technical skills better leverage technical skills to really innovate""DISC" - a behavior methodology. Adapt behaviors based on communication style.pace and priority, the keys to how things get done.The Platinum Rule: Treat others as they want to be treated.How to become an effective leader. Leadership as a parallel skillset.Common behavioral patterns that limit or inhibit engineer's growth"If you don't know where you're going, any old road will do"Three biggest takeawaysEmpathy for others, being flexible, and understanding where others are coming fromNever stop learning! Figure out what learning looks like for you."if you don't know where you're headed any old road will do". Have a plan.Featuring Laran Evans — Twitter, Github, Linkedin, WebsiteAndrew Locke — Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn, Medium LinksAsk me anything - If you have any questions, let me know! I'll do an episode where I answer your questions.Sign up to be on the podcastGet coaching - Achilles and Paris
Mar 1, 2021
1 hr 7 min
Special AMA Episode featuring the Senior Junior Engineer's host Andrew Locke
EPISODE SUMMARYAsk me anything - If you have any questions, let me know! I'll do an episode where I answer your questions.Sign up to be on the podcastThis week we dive into your questions on a special AMA episode. Former podcast guest Andrew Yasso joins me as we dive into questions podcast listeners have submitted. Join us to hear more about my take on a wide range of topics from side projects to get better at remote work.EPISODE NOTESQuestions askedWhat was the first project or moment you realized "This is what I want to do"?What's something you thought would get easier but hasn't?What are some of the tools and practiced you've used to navigate the challenge of remote work?What does a typical day look like for you?How has your previous career impacted your career as a software engineer?What has surprised you from doing the Senior Junior Engineer Podcast?How do you acquire essential non-technical skills?What's a book or resource that has influenced you most?FeaturingAndrew Locke — Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn, MediumAndrew Yasso —  Github, LinkedinLinksAsk me anything - If you have any questions, let me know! I'll do an episode where I answer your questions.Sign up to be on the podcastLoom - Video / Screen recording softwareKrisp - Audio filtering softwareThe four hour work week - Tim Ferris
Feb 21, 2021
54 min
Self improvement via 30 minute projects  w/ Warner Onstine @ Coffee In, Code Out
EPISODE SUMMARY Ask me anything - If you have any questions, let me know! I'll do an episode where I answer your questions.Sign up to be on the podcastThis week I got the chance to speak with 20+ year veteran in the industry, Warner Onstine. Hailing from Dallas, TX, Warner is the founder and owner at coffee in code out. Has worked at large companies like Intuit, founded his own startup, now works as a remote freelance contractor while also building his own learning platform, "30-minute projects" EPISODE NOTESManaging engineersBe the "shield" for your engineers, protect them from bad policies or things that would prevent your team from being as effective as they could be.Identify where your team members want to go one day, it helps his team members bring their best & builds trust amongst the team.Connecting people benefits everyone in the long runLearning to step back, trust your team members to execute on your vision. But, you have to be able to effectively communicate that vision to the team.stay up to date in an industry that is constantly changing by subscribing to mailing lists, scan to see what's "hot" and what is starting to get traction."Be so good they can't ignore you" - Why "follow your passion" is bad advice.find what you're passionate about what you're already doing. Get better at thoseFind where you want to get better, focus on growing those skillsHow to finally get your side project finishedCode every day! - Read the article belowCreate a 4-6 wk deliverability plan with goalsbreak the project down into 30 min chunkskeep an engineering journalThree biggest takeawaysDo a side project and see it to completion.Blog, write something, a youtube channel, express your ideas and engage with other developers. Blogging forces you to do written communication and express them in a way that others can understandDon't be defensive, try not to have an ego about your own work. If someone comes to ask a question & you feel like they're attacking you, remember they are talking about the work and not you. Assume optimistic intent.FeaturingWarner Onstine — Twitter, Github, Linkedin, Coffee In Code OutAndrew Locke — Twitter, GitHub, LinkedInLinks30 minute projects - Code in coffee outUse this link to get 30% off of the 30-minute project courseAggregated list to keep up with the industry - Warner Onstineso good they can't ignore you - Cal Newport."What I liked about 'so good they can't ignore you' and other ramblings - Warner OnstineWrite code everyday - John Resig
Feb 16, 2021
1 hr 28 min
From Assembly to hardware to Flutter w/ Alex Kuzmin @ Stride
EPISODE SUMMARYIn today's episode, I got the chance to sit down with my friend and Stride's CTO, Alex Kuzmin. Alex has been in software formally for almost 10 years but his intro into the world of software started long before that when he began hacking some of his favorite games as a kid. Alex started his professional career in hardware, then moved to android and eventually to Unity where he began working in game development. Most recently Alex has been working as co-founder and CTO of his own company, Stride.EPISODE NOTESmicrocontrollers & working with assembly languageWorking remotely before it was "popular" in 2014learning how to code when English isn't your first languageKnowing your limits when exploring new avenues of study.deciding to pick up his life and move to Taiwan & the experience of building a company from the ground up while in a foreign countrythe challenges of being a technical co-founderthe importance of delegation to empower your team for successimportant career milestones: Great leadership that taught how to review code and support other developers in their coding - the importance of mentorship.making architectural decisions for a team - the importance of a larger perspectiveexpanding his scope via conferencesThree biggest takeaways Find someone to mentor you - ask them to review your code, pick their brain, learn from themDo personal projects - it's really about finding something that keeps you excited and exploring. It pushes you to learn your craft. Find problems in your life that you can solve with your codeTry at least once to build a full-stack project - It will give you a better appreciation for the challenges each "side" will face.FeaturingAlex Kuzmin — Twitter, Github, Linkedin, Website, StrideAndrew Locke — Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn, MediumLinksAsk me anything - If you have any questions, let me know! I'll do an episode where I answer your questions.Sign up to be on the podcast
Feb 1, 2021
1 hr 9 min
Leaving software to find what really matters w/ Johnson Hsieh @Tinder
EPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode, I interview Johnson Hsieh, a friend of mine who made the conscious decision to leave his job as a software engineer to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Before leaving his software career, Johnson obtained his undergrad and masters in CS from USC then went on to work for some of the biggest names in tech, landing internships at Semantic and Google, joining the team at Amazon for a year, and finally landing at Tinder.In this interview, Johnson reflects on his experience as a "cog in the machine" at these tech giants and how his personal exploration into the meaning of work lead him to quit his job and pursue a life of learning and personal development.EPISODE NOTESThree takeawaysAsk a lot of questions.Spend time thinking about your "why."Enjoy the journey; life is about the journey, not the destination.FeaturingJohnson Hsieh — Github, Linkedin, Medium, Facebook, EmailAndrew Locke — Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn, MediumLinksAsk me anything - If you have any questions, let me know! I'll do an episode where I answer your questions.Sign up to be on the podcastAlgorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human DecisionsThe Secretary problem
Jan 9, 2021
50 min
A non-traditional road into software; Interview w/ FM 101.7 KLWN
EPISODE SUMMARYOn this special episode of the Senior Junior engineer podcast, I was given the chance to appear as a guest on FM101.7 KLWN, my hometown radio station in Lawrence KS. During this interview, I talked a bit about how it has been working async and remote in Taiwan as a software engineer. I also share my crazy journey into the world of software engineering and what I learned along the way. I hope you enjoy it!FeaturingAndrew Locke — Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn, MediumLinksSignup to be on the podcastAsk me anything - If you have any questions, let me know! I'll do an episode where I answer your questions.KLWN - Radio for grownups
Dec 31, 2020
41 min
Mental health and empathy w/ Austin Adamson @ PING
EPISODE SUMMARYToday I got the chance to chat with Austin Adamson, a software engineer at PING golf. Austin has been in the industry for 8 years as a software engineer and is currently a mid level engineer at PING, working primarily on API architecture, DB design. Our conversation covered a wide range of topics, including:The importance of mental health & finding the right teamEmpathy in team member & team leaderFigure out what you don't know, don't accept just being comfortable in your own domain. Best way to grow is to continue looking for growth opportunities outside of your immediate focus.Three biggest take aways from our conversationEager to learn what you don't knowWork for people and not money, make career moves that are good for you mentallyStrive for balance, work/life but how you define the life portion is insanely personal to you.FeaturingAustin Adamson — Twitter, Github, Linkedin,Andrew Locke — Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn, MediumLinksAsk me anything - If you have any questions, let me know! I'll do an episode where I answer your questions.Dare to lead - Brene BrownStart with why - Simon Sinek
Dec 24, 2020
1 hr 4 min
Using software as a tool to make an impact w/ Ian Lituchy @ City Flavor / Apostrophe
EPISODE SUMMARYIn today's episode, I have a conversation with another non-traditional convert into the world of software engineering, my Co-worker Ian Lituchy. Ian shares his journey from Electrical engineering to running a food truck startup and eventually to his current role as a Software Engineer at Apostrophe. Ian share's how he uses Software as a tool to impact people and find fulfillment.EPISODE NOTESOn today's episode Ian and I discuss a wide range of topics;Product driven Software development to have a larger impact on people.Focusing on outcomesThe importance of having a growth mindsetKeeping a "learning" journal as a reference to fast track your continuous growth.How being thrown into challenging situations can help grow your confidence and abilitiesKey take aways: learn from your failures, don't dwell too much on the what ifsBelieve in your self and that you can do anything, learn how to ask the right questionAlways learn as much as you can, regardless of what you're doing.News!I am doing an AMA episode! Send me your questions.FeaturingIan Lituchy — Github, Linkedin, Website, [email protected] Locke — Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn, MediumLinksAsk me anything - If you have any questions, let me know! I'll do an episode where I answer your questions.
Dec 13, 2020
1 hr 6 min
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