What do I do in my job (as a software engineer)

YouTube is filled with countless days in the life of software engineer videos. But none of them actually explain what we do besides eating free food and playing ping pong. I am guilty of that too. So in this video, I wanted to give a brief overview of what it's like to be a software engineer, what we do, and then more specifically, what I do.

But before in order to understand what we do, it's important to understand what we're not, and that is coders. Yes, we code but that's not the focus. But rather it's solving problems, we just use code as a means to do so. A classic problem every SWE knows how to solve is called 2Sum (explained in the video).

So what problems do we actually solve? There are many, but we can divide these problems into two categories: front-end and back-end. Using YouTube as an example, front-end engineers solve problems related to what you see on the screen (buttons, video thumbnails, ads, etc). They make sure everything is aesthetic and functional so you and I as users can interact with. Back-end engineers solve problems that you cannot see. These problems include making sure everything on youtube runs smoothly and efficiently and that when you click a button, the correct page is displayed.

Okay - now what do I do exactly? I'm a backend engineer, specifically on the Systems and Infrastructure side. That essentially means that I build frameworks and tools that other internal applications use to run their programs smoothly and efficiently without hiccups. Essentially, I'm working on the core stuff at LinkedIn where the majority of the application is built upon.

That being said, what does it take to become a software engineer? If you're in High school, get a degree in computer science. If not, I recommend online boot camps. It all may seem daunting in the beginning but if this is what you really want to do then I'd say go for it!

Make sure to LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE pls :)

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Current Subscriber Count: 39,065

About me: Currently working as a Software Engineer in NYC! Recently graduated from UC Berkeley where you probably know me from my college athlete videos. I enjoy making videos about my daily life and more recently have been focused on talking about Software Engineering and technology in general. In my free time, I play the piano/violin, draw, and start too many side projects I never finish.

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[dipitbhatt]

I strongly need more of these types of videos for other professions as well.

[mayanktiwari]

You have explained your work with so ease and it's so understandable

[vaibhav]

Working on a product having millions of users is next level experience and learning. Great job 🌟

[charlesmiller]

Hey Marco, I just had a chance to view this. It is such a great video. I never really knew what a software engineer does. You explained it beautifully. You kept it at a high level so folks like me could understand it. I know it’s a lot more complicated than what you presented but it gave us an idea as to what you do. Great job. 👍👍💯

[tomboyraider]

This still does not show what you ACTUALLY do. Just lots of talking but nothing showing the actual work you do or the actual jobscope.

[guillemdasi]

Great video Marcos! Being a SE myself, you have explained everything perfectly!

[martino_yes]

this really helped me get a better view on software engineering, and gives me more confidence on starting college next year! Thank you so much for this, it was really helpful

[tarollo]

I am postgraduate accounting student (chartered accountant stream), I have taken a liking into software engineering and this was an insightful video, thank you. Love from South Africa

[iamryanlittle]

What's up, Marcos! Ryan Little here. Thank you for featuring my song "Sticks and Stones" In your video. I'm honored, man.

[GrittyMaholmes]

The moment you mentiond about the "Two Sum" problem i immediately paused the video and solved and problem and here i am

[mayanktiwari]

I'm from India and I also studying computer Science in my college and this video is really very helpful for me
Now I'm a fan of you like how you manage your athlete courier with studies
I haven't subscribed any channel till now but I subscribed your channel and follow you from now on and please make these types of videos and the last thing I would say that you are an amazing person

[tristingeffert]

Been watching your videos for a while and felt like I needed this one. I always wonder in your other videos “where is work being done and what does he do for work?” This cleared so much up. I am deployed right now and have been debating on what college/career path I want to pursue when I am back at my duty station. I am for sure going to get the computer science route, loved the video.

[Huntermag]

Tbh, you are the only SWE I follow or even watch on that's just because you're so damned entertaining! I really do appreciate the high level explanation of what you do-I didn't have much of a clue what you actually did. Besides lunch. And dinner with friends. And boarding around NYC. And working Christmas!

[Walter-uyui]

Really enjoyed your video! Thank you for giving us a real look at your job!

[techmentormaria]

Ohh the meetings yes. Please make sure to defend your own calendar long term. Lots of engineers I mentored/managed complained about their meeting loads until I encouraged them to actually decline meetings. Thanks for sharing your day :)

[danielhegyi]

Thanks for the upload! It significantly reduced my stress and gave me a broader view about what it's like to be a swe. You're cool Marcos, I'm definitely going to follow your channel in the future.

[huzeyfast]

Great editing Marcos keep these fire videos coming!

[aliciachen]

when he's an artist too...damn leave some space for the rest of us

[ddeonu_sunshine]

watching your videos has been one of my past time activities!! <3 ALSO, we have the same computer background!!! i'm not even kidding! <3

[adrianalday]

Really helpful content, i want to do software as well, maybe too late for me but thanks alot for this just to give us a bird’s eyeview on what’s goin on with this job