Hey Jeannie, care to share a little bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m Jeannie. I pursue my passions and do what makes me happy. I work at FabFitFun in LA. Outside of work, I like trying out new sports (currently powerlifting and bouldering) and traveling/exploring the world. Lately, I’ve been collaborating with friends to build new businesses!
Can you tell us what you do as a Software Engineer at FabFitFun for those who are unfamiliar?
As a Software Engineer at FabFitFun, I get to build applications and create new frontend designs geared towards acquiring new members. I work closely with Product & Design to create optimal user interfaces, integrate new third-party APIs, and I get to collaborate with the backend engineers on the team to build out new endpoints and design new architecture.
How did you decide to pursue your specific career?
I taught at many healthcare facilities and worked with one of the biggest fitness brands in LA before I started my career in software engineering. I wanted to pursue a career that gave me the ability to create from my imagination and really lean into my creative side. After hearing from my friends who made successful career transitions into software engineering, I knew that it was the career I wanted to pursue. What pushed me to get to where I am now was not having the life I envisioned for myself, but how I got here was through the endless support of very important people in my life.
What made you interested in your field?
What interests me the most about software engineering is the fact that you will never run out of things to learn and that there are limitless possibilities with what you can do with code. The ceiling of growth in software engineering always gets higher, so I know that I can improve my skills every day and become a better engineer.
Any advice on how to stand out and get hired for those starting off?
Don’t just go with the flow - lean into your passions! You’re learning how to code so your skills will improve over time. Work on your hobbies, your passions. When you talk about what you genuinely care about, your passion will speak for itself and recruiters & employers will see that. Remember, technical skills can be taught, passion is what helps you stand out.
3 Character traits that would make someone excel in your field
Be passionate, curious, and adaptable.
Most difficult thing about your job?
It’s just how the business works, but when I first started, it was difficult to see a design I built get tossed because it didn’t win an A/B test. As time passed, my skills got better and I started being able to create designs more efficiently, which meant we had more designs to test. I turned what was difficult into an opportunity to learn and improve my technical skills.
What would you like to say to your younger self?
Chase after your dreams. Your timeline isn’t going to be the same as everyone else’s and that’s okay. Remember to focus on what you achieved, not when you achieved it.
Best advice you've received/heard?
Learn to learn fast and never hesitate to ask questions. When you can learn fast, you can learn and do anything.
Any last thoughts, advice, or recommendations for someone who wants to learn about your craft?
Don’t just read about code, dive in! Work on projects that you care about, build an app you wish existed. You’ll learn a lot more a lot faster that way. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s better to make mistakes than to do nothing at all.
