// field notes
I'm betting you still have to know your stuffso learn behind me.
Hey, I'm Alex. Throughout my time working as a Software Engineer in the tech industry, I've recognized the importance of internalizing technical knowledge.
Knowing fundamental concepts keeps you sharp for interviews, and we always need to de-risk unemployment.
I've noticed that in interviews, not having something memorized can be a massive limitation. Coding assessments, technical interviews, trivia rounds, behavioral, and system design interviews all require a knowledge base to pull from. For example, this limitation can surface as not knowing the syntax for a function in a coding assessment, forgetting how to model SQL tables in a system design round, and plethora of other situations you could imagine. I've personally been burned in interviews for lacking knowledge, and I never want to experience that again.
Fundamentals actually ARE important for your job. I worked in FAANG and every Junior and Senior I met had the fundamentals engrained.
My first job out of college was in FAANG. There was so much technical knowledge I was lacking that it actually made me slower at my job. At the entry level, the bar is lower and you get mentorship (sometimes), but especially in today's more competitive landscape, it's better to be faster and more effective than to not be.
So what is this knowledge base anyway?
After going through my FAANG job and several interview loops, I had a rude awakening, and I made a commitment to learn and educate myself deeply in the technology that is used in the industry. Right now, as I progress in my professional journey, I dedicate time to continue learning. As I learn, I make comprehensive flashcards that I can review. Why? Because otherwise I forget what I learn!
This website is my way of offering my continued education to you. You can study what I have learned so far, and you can keep studying as I continue to learn and contribute to the site. I personally use this website to study and am constantly contributing to it.
If you're an aspiring or current software engineer, you may also find this useful.
Other lessons.
Besides raw technical knowledge, I've also learned many lessons about how to navigate working in a corporate environment and how to get interviews in a competitive market. These are skills in themselves that are invaluable (especially the interview one), and I have a whole backlog of wisdom to bestow upon the next generation. I plan to add these lessons in video format to the site.
Ultimately, I want to get to know you so I can make this site better and help the next generation of software engineers. Thus, I personally host weekly group calls and include a private discord server in the community.