Hearted Youtube comments on A Life Engineered (@ALifeEngineered) channel.

  1. Standing ovation for actually answering the "How much do you make?" question in the first 60 seconds of the video rather than clickbaiting us into a 20-minute video where you dance around the subject before saying "you can probably figure it out" Obviously, you're under no obligation to disclose this information at all, but the fact that you did, so plainly and matter-of-factly, is definitely appreciated.
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  2. Wow you really are like the opposite of tech lead, well done
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  3. This is a vulnerable video, despite the large income. It takes a great deal of courage to put all the details out there, knowing that you'll get some oddball reactions to it. I appreciate the honesty and find it both incredibly helpful and inspiring in its own right. Thank you so much.
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  4. Just got a job at Meta after failing my interview at Blue Origin a few months back. This is 100% on point. I ramped up my interviewing skills after I failed Blue Origin and had to fight my inner demons during that time. It paid off. Really good self psych to prevent you feeling down after failing a good opportunity is to think of these opportunities like surfing. If you miss a wave surfing, you don't go home. You get ready for the next wave. 🏄‍♂️
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  5. "Don't get caught playing the wrong game because you think the world should be a different way." That's some profound stuff right there that applies well outside just interviewing!
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  6. That is a MASSIVE point that companies don't understand. NO ONE ever starts as a senior engineer. They are made. They are the juniors and entry level that become senior engineers in the company. But that won't happen if these entry level and juniors aren't hired. It's going to hurt all companies a lot in the long run.
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  7. The content in your videos is gold, thanks for making them!
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  8. “Everybody has a network” is the truest statement. I am extremely introverted, basically a hermit, and my entire network consists of only 5 people (family and friends included) for whom I’m the most capable engineer they know. Almost all of my opportunities (failed and successful ones) have come from these connections alone.
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  9. Congratulations! That's huge :) can't wait to see what else you do next
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  10. As someone who was just diagnosed with cancer that will probably kill him with the next few years, I used to work as a web developer....one of my biggest regrets is not taking more vacation time for myself. The last 3 years I didn't take a single day off. Now that I cannot physically travel, it is a big regret.
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  11. Like Tech Lead but not toxic ... 😂😂😂
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  12. LLMs are just libraries 2.0 -- we had the same threats of libraries replacing all developer jobs then too and job growth exploded. LLMs are not the reason for junior dev positions drying up, access to cheap capital is since interest rates are so high.
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  13. I’m a senior engineer. I have never gotten a single job without networking and leveraging it heavily.
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  14. I feel like you are becoming the new Techlead, only with much better content
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  15. Really interesting video Steve, i agree that keeping multiple career options open is smart. Btw i really love the overall video aesthetic (pacing, music, lighting, editing style)
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  16. Watching your videos really feels like having a boss that really cares about your future and is willing to express his wisdom for your growth. God bless you.
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  17. Wild after 18 years!!! You’ve been quite an inspiration for someone currently in Amazon for 5+ years now 🎉. All the best with your future endeavours.
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  18. Over-delivering on your current tasks only digs you deeper into the pit of your position. Make sure you offer a better value proposition with you being promoted vs you being stuck in the same position.
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  19. Don't stick around with a bad manager. You will be stagnant and your market will pass you by as you age.
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  20. I have to say, the disclaimer at the beginning was strikingly empathetic, from the perspective of a young guy in software. A refreshing take in the Hobbesian online world of Male content creators.
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  21. How would you deal with toxic coworkers who are higher level than you and are clearly playing games to make themselves seem more valuable in front of the big boss?
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  22. you are the TechLead that we need
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  23. The quote about only your kids remembering you worked nights and weekends hit hard. Great video, thanks for the life update, I think these are great!
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  24. As someone who just made a switch from civil engineering to software engineering and made it to Amazon, I 100% agree with what Steve said. The market changes and nobody can predict it, but if it's something you are passionate about, just go for it, don't think just do.
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  25. The content in your video is GOLD!!! Thanks for making them 😉
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  26. Bunch of people that look like they're 40 but are actually 25.. and a bunch of people that are 25, that look like they're actually 40" -- that's the same thing, Steve 😅(I get what you meant tho)
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  27. Moral of the story: part with your ex on good terms 📝 I want support all people struggling to find a job at the moment. I was looking for a job in 2023 for 5 mo (being a senior engineer with 8yoe) and I hope market gets better soon. The only thing I can tell, there is definitely a moment of luck: like being one of the first applicants or encountering a good company with humane processes, however you have to be prepared to make the best of the opportunity when it finally occurs.
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  28. Damn, that point about not reading emails, checking news etc. during the 2-4 hours to essentially save ones emotional state from being polluted is just so eye-opening. I realize now, as I look back on my day, how much more I could've done if I didn't open up Instagram/Twitter. I actually read something very heartbreaking and I didn't feel so good for the rest of the day. Ugh, I really need to put my phone in another room😩
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  29. 0:02 1. Your 30s are better than your 20s 0:11 2. Don't take advice from people haven't failed 0:42 3. Change or learn to live with it 1:18 4. Learn to regulate your emotions 1:47 5. Take care of your body 2:05 6. You're not going to stop growing and changing 2:34 7. Get better at learning new thing 2:58 8. Wear sunscreen 3:10 9. Don't try to time things 3:57 10. You don't have infinite time with your family 4:17 11. Stop being a people pleaser 5:12 12. FREE time magement templates 6:30 13. Don't only do things you're good at 6:53 14. Put in the extra effort to make friends 7:35 15. Cure for burnout is gratitude 8:04 16. You will be the new guy many times 8:31 17. Be open to new music 8:56 18. Don't procastinate on your errands 9:20 19. Start saving a little bit now 9:45 20. Buy experiences 10:10 21. Don't take advice about your quarter life crisis from someone who is in their quarter life 10:28 22. Embrace the power of a strategic nap 10:36 23. Trade time for money 11:03 24. Journal regularly 11:25 25. You will lose some close friends 11:45 26. Find your tribe 12:11 27. Don't defer a celebration 12:40 28. Embrace your inner child 12:53 29. Boredom is totally ok 13:16 30. Read more books 13:58 31. Curate your digital life 14:14 32. Invest in your bed and ergonomics 14:45 33. Work on yourself first 15:15 34. Success is how you define it 15:30 35. Check out other videos
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  30. Seeing my employer sponsoring A Life Engineered. What a time to be alive.
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  31. I moved whenever I could get an advance in my career. My 20 and 30 year old self told me this was a great way to climb the corporate ladder. I would earn more money so I could have a better life. However, in my 50s I realize I lost so much time with my family. My father passed away 1 year after I graduated Harvard so he never got to see the person I would become. My mother lives on the other side of the country, and I only see her once a year for a short visit. I call her regularly, but I know I can't be there for her when/if she needs me as my life is here now. I also have few friends from the time I graduated college until I finally decided to stop job hopping. I didn't realize what I had been missing out on for all those years. I've now lived in Arizona for 11 years. I am married, and I have friends. I'll always wonder how life would have turned out if I had accepted a slower paced life of living in a small town rather than chasing the career.
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  32. Unparalleled transparency, thank you!
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  33. I think Rahul's advice is extremely important. MASTER YOUR STORIES. It doesn't matter how good you are if people can't perceive it. If you are doing wonderful technical things you're losing SO MUCH if you can't express it in a understandable way for your peers and leaders.
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  34. I have to say I am so glad I found your content a year or so ago, my career has really changed and I already aligned with a lot of your values so validation of those values really meant a lot to me. I am extremely excited about the future of you, and this content. And as a dad I completely understand, I am a decade younger than you, but the statement "I only have 2000 weeks left." really hit home. Thank you.
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  35. unforturnately having a unique linkedin profile isn't enough anymore.
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  36. Thumbnail game incredible. Thanks for making some of the best software engineering content on YouTube
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  37. The big difference is, this is US based, something that reflects x2/x3/x4 of what you get in most EU, let alone EEU. Also, the promotions in EU, or better said the "off-shored step-cousin offices" of the same company are waaaaay under what you get in US, this talking about faang to faang. Your progression in impressive, and important that your spouse is on the same level and even more important that you got a hefty amount of stocks, something again, EU jobs don't offer as many, regardless of rank. In the end, it's important that you managed to step away from the golden cuffs, not many get to, before it's too late.
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  38. 250k is definition of golden handcuffs. To your viewers its a lot of $$ but to your career earnings, its not much.. esp youll need to work another grueling 2+ months, then after "just" another few months until more money. never ends, golden handcuffs.
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  39. Solid advice thank you. One suggestion I have for the videos is to use more contrasting colors like for the leaf node example. People who are colorblind can't easily make out the different colors.
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  40. This is pretty much all great advice. My advice: don't try to take all of this great advice all at once. Pick one thing (ideally the thing you suck at/hate doing the most) to focus on first.
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  41. I'm 100% sure he doesn't use this for his day to day workflow.
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  42. "I know a person with a master's in computer science delivering pizza rn"
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  43. Truthfully, I am immediately impressed by everything about you, my friend. You even used one of my favorite adages: "Comparison is the thief of joy." IDK that we'll ever get the chance to actually be buds IRL, but, FWIW -- You've got a new fan for life in me. Thanks for your content and equanimity.
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  44. "I actually worked on the first kindle for amazon" out of no where is the coolest flex I've seen in a long time
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  45. An L7 who can cite a Borges story?This is the content I come to your channel for
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  46. Your work and dedication are truly inspiring! Thank you for sharing this with us
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  47. Correlation != Causation. Maybe people that solve many hard problems would have been better off solving medium/easy problems. Maybe people that solve hard problems are the type of people that are generally more interested in algorithms, or generally smarter etc and because of that get better jobs and not because harder problems prepared them better. Note: Not saying this is the case. I have as much evidence as you i.e. not sufficient.
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  48. Love the transparency! Thanks for sharing, Steve!
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  49. Your videos are so different from majority of youtube content. I dont know how to explain it but they feel so genuine and straight to the point
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  50. Real advice from Steve!! If you want any opportunity in the real world, being great at selling yourself will put you ahead I would also add that in the recruiter/referral optimization tip, I find that the following helps: 1. Leverage first degree connections because lower activation energy to ask for the referral. Plus you can remind the connection on how you worked together in the past 2. Keep a database of recruiters/interviewers youve talked to. If you need a job, you can already hit up those people for opportunities 3. When pitching yourself, always connect your past experiences to the company's values, mission, product. Remember if you want to influence someone, draw common ground and SHOW that your experience fits into what the company wants (ie: optimize on how the other party would benefit)
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