Pair-Interview Practice, Tracking System to Battle Procrastination, Personal Updates, and Reflections about Giving Back

Oct 30, 2023

Hey everyone! It's been a while since I've shared something a bit more personal instead of just tossing out resource recommendations. In this newsletter, I want to get real with you. I want to offer insights that go beyond the surface and show you the messy, human side of the journey, not just the polished outcomes.

So, here's what's in the agenda:

Pramp: A Resource for Interview Skill Practice, Recommended by a Google Insider
My Ongoing Journey with Procrastination: How I Track Leetcode Challenges and Job Applications
Stories to Relieve the Pressure of Specialization
A Glimpse into My Personal Life Updates
Recent Musings on Giving Back and Finding Purpose

Let's dive into the nitty-gritty! 🚀💭

Elevating Your Interview Skills with Pramp: A Google Insider's Top Pick

[Link: https://www.pramp.com/#/]

I recently had the chance to connect with a Google employee who recommended a resource for interview prep - Pramp. She emphasized that she personally used it a staggering 100 times to gear up for her current tech role.

💰What's more, it won't cost you a dime (and who doesn't adore freebies?). Do yourself a favor and give it a spin.

Tracking Leetcodes and Job Applications

We all understand the importance of applying for jobs daily. Yet, putting that into action is often easier said than done. This week, I had an epiphany – I was consistently procrastinating on job applications 😓. The culprit?

The sheer volume of job listings was overwhelming. LinkedIn bombarded me with about 10 emails every day, each loaded with job opportunities. While I appreciate the effort, it was simply too much to handle.
On top of that, each job application demanded a significant chunk of time, ranging from 5 to a whopping 30 minutes.

Leetcode practice? The same story. I kept delaying it because there was no immediate interview deadline looming over my head. Deep down, I knew I should be doing it right away.

🚀 To battle this procrastination, I decided to take action. I created a tracking spreadsheet to monitor my daily job applications and Leetcode progress. This system has kept me on track and motivated, and I encourage you to give it a try or explore other tracking methods.

Stories to Alleviate You from Pressure of Specialization

The Google employee who introduced me to Pramp has a remarkable career journey. She majored in Chinese during college, spent several years in the publishing industry, and later pivoted to a tech career after enrolling in a bootcamp. Today, she's thriving at Google. 🌊

I'd also like to share an inspiring TedTalk with you: "How Falling Behind Can Get You Ahead" by David Epstein. The insights in this talk struck a chord with me because it shows me real statistics and stories of why and how people with diverse skill sets can actually get better at what they do in the long run. 😉

[Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ2_BwqcFsc]

Life Updates: Midterms and Personal Growth

Midterm season is finally behind me, and it's a mixed bag of emotions. While my grades this time around may not be as high as my freshman year, it’s understandable because the challenge has been significantly greater. It's also a stark reminder that what I genuinely learn is far more valuable than just grades. 🌟

In a small yet significant personal milestone, I obtained my first credit card and brokerage account this week. It’s not something big but somehow I’ve been a little scared to do this. While I don't plan to dive into investing just yet, I believe this is a great small start. 💪

I've also been doing some soul-searching. These days, I've noticed a dip in my overall well-being, and I've resolved to pinpoint the root cause. I've identified a recurring pattern - my mood tends to dip as we approach fall and winter, while the summer season keeps my spirits high. There are many factors at play, and this week, I'm committed to recognizing the patterns and making adjustments to my daily routine. Recognizing these triggers is the first step towards making changes, and I encourage you to do the same.

Giving Back and Finding Purpose

I often ponder the purpose of all this learning. Lately, I've crossed paths with remarkable individuals who've sparked my curiosity about serving other communities.

One such person is someone I connected with on LinkedIn due to their impressive profile. Turns out, they maintain a captivating blog; I encourage you to take a look: Letters from Anh 💓. What struck a chord with me the most is [Disability Series] #3 - Lý do mình xoá Threads, which really made me think more about accessibility in designing products, and I feel guilty for not caring sooner. Witnessing their dedication to a specific community left me feeling inspired.

I also met a remarkable individual in a Vietnamese organization in New York. But I admire her the most when she talked about how she always thought of helping others, and putting all of herself into it. She made me want to be like that too. 🌸

To be candid, I never imagined that this thought would ever cross my mind. My grandparents often warned me about the harshness of the world and advised me to be cautious in all things. I believed their words had little influence on me, but I've noticed that I've grown guarded and self-focused. Yet, now I know that attempting to help someone and realizing the impact you can have is a truly fulfilling experience. Perhaps changing my major to Computer Science was the right decision, as now I have a small new-born desire in me to make a positive difference with the products I create in the future. 🥺

WHAT’S NEXT?

That's it for this edition of the coding newsletter! I'd love to hear from you. What topics excite you the most? Do you have any recommended resources or papers for my learning journey? Share your thoughts, experiences, and questions on anything I’ve discussed. Let's keep the conversation going and connect with each other.

Happy coding!

From Bytes of Growth 🌱