How To Learn Quickly In Tech

Alex Chiou & Rahul Pandey

Asking Questions

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions

• Avoid perception paralysis
• Question quantity is a good metric for onboarding
• Asking > Being Stuck
• Stuck for >15 min -> Ask!
• Creating resource for others
• Builds social capital if done properly

Question Quality

• Questions are an exchange of time
• Ideal question interaction is equal
• Have empathy for the people answering
• Avoid leading hi
• Pass the “1st round Google” test
• Explain what you have tried
• Attach context
• Be nice and appreciative!

Question

“I am trying to load an image in my Android app, and it shows up blank. Any ideas on what’s going on here?”

People Answering

“Where is the image coming from, a URL or a local resource?

“Are you using a library to load the image?”

“What version of the Android SDK are you using?”

“Have you checked that your app has the INTERNET permission?”

“What does your ImageView layout look like?”

“Give me 100 years as I meditate with Dr. Strange and learn how to read your mind and see the code through your eyes, brb.”

​

Bad Question Example

Question

​

Good Question Example

People Answering

​

“I am trying to load the following image resource into an ImageView within a single-page activity using the Picasso library. The image is from this URL: tinyurl.com/9xu67

My app has the INTERNET permission, and my emulator can connect to wifi (verified via browser). I used the layout inspector to make sure the ImageView has proper bounds as well.

I tried X, Y, and Z from StackOverflow (links here), but none of it seemed to work.

Anyways, here are additional resources with more context:

1. Screenshot of the broken app
2. GitHub link to my layout code
3. GitHub link to my image loading code”

​

“Oh yeah I’ve seen this before! Your image URL is a redirect, so you need to add this Picasso extension module, and then it will work.”

Learn By Doing

• Cost of writing (and rewriting) software is low
• Best way to learn a new technology is to start tinkering
• Don’t waste time on:
• Waiting for a certificate/diploma
• Reading (excessive) documentation
• Share what you know, learn with others

Feedback Is A Gift

Processing Feedback

• Don’t be defensive!
• The giver may feel weird too - thank them!
• Write it down
• Convert it into action items
• If the feedback is not constructive:
• Talk to their superior
• Have a crucial conversation

Getting Feedback

• Embrace being the “dumbest person in the room”
• Be proactive
• “If this could be better, please let me know!”
• Ask for recurring feedback from managers
• Set the stage in 1:1 setting
• Preemptively surface areas of improvement

The Lego Model

Understanding Tech As Legos

• Combine legos to create useful combinations
• Legos = tech components, combination = product
• Governing principles:
• Get lots of legos
• Get high-quality legos
• Get “core”, high-demand legos

• Email input with real-time validation
• Password input that enforces complexity constraints
• Confirm password field
• “Show password” toggle so users can be sure they didn’t typo
• “Forgot password?” flow
• Attempt throttling on both onboarding submission and forgot password flow to prevent spam and brute-force hacking
• Secure password hashing
• Error messages (email already used, network failure, etc)

• Email input
• Password input
• Submit button which stores inputs on the server

Getting A High-Quality Lego (Onboarding Example)

Let’s look for “core” Legos!

Onboarding flow (sign-up/login)

Playing videos

Dynamic map view that shows the location of a person or object in real-time

Showing a list of items

Creating A Learning Roadmap

Forge your own path

• Structure is your enemy
• Tech moves incredibly fast
• Highest levels of tech are “controlled chaos”
• Learn to embrace and be comfortable within unknowns
• Work backwards from a big North Star, not forward following predefined steps

• Tutorials
• Certifications
• Online quizzes
• Competitive programming
• Exercises where you follow someone’s exact path

So what should you do instead?

How do you forge your own path, especially outside of work?

ImberApp.com

• The ultimate way to go off the beaten path - Create an impactful personal software project
• Imber is a learning community to empower you to do just that
• Get hands-on, personalized feedback about your projects from Alex & Rahul
• See curated, high-quality projects from others
• Available on web, Android, and iOS

Next session!

​

• How To Ace Your Big Tech Interview - System Design

​

• 3 weeks away: Saturday, November 6, 9am PST

​

• Join us on LinkedIn/Slack for info on future sessions

It’s time for your questions!

• Raise your hand in Zoom
• 1 question at a time
• Only Rahul or Alex will answer
• If we can’t get to your question, ask it on Slack!

/rpandey1234

/alexander-chiou