Episode Highlights:

• Core responsibilities of a software engineer vs. a manager

• When to prioritize in-person roles vs. remote roles

• How to build a fulfilling career without having it all figured out at the start

Timestamps:

0:27 - What is a Software Engineer?

1:47 - What does a typical day look like?

6:40 - What do you enjoy?

14:53 - What do you dislike?

19:48 - How does your career compare to your initial aspirations?

24:16 - What were your career milestones?

27:01 - What advice would you give an aspiring professional?

About Our Guest:

David Wu (he/him) is a Senior Software Engineering Manager at a mid-sized U.S.-based cloud storage and backup company serving over half a million users worldwide. Widely regarded as one of the best managers his colleagues have worked with, David is known for cultivating highly collaborative teams through a culture of trust, transparency, and honest communication. His leadership style is deeply informed by his work as a career and creativity coach—a role he shares with his wife at the company they co-founded. David holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, has completed graduate coursework in AI, and brings over 15 years of experience in software engineering, including more than a decade in management.

• Extended Interview - ⁠patreon.com/diverseroutes ⁠

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