Joe Cuevas: Your First Decade as a Software Engineer - Episode 360

Jul 28, 2025

Joe Cuevas, a senior software engineer from San Antonio, shares his journey from a VB.NET class igniting his passion for programming to his current role focusing on front-end development. He discusses the significance of testing immediately after coding, the evolution of software architecture, and the impact of AI tools like Codex on programming. Joe also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and mentorship for junior developers, providing key insights on dependency injection and the future of coding practices.

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ADVICE

Choose Targeted Learning Resources

Start with books that closely match your career goals and follow practical examples.
Build knowledge step-by-step instead of trying to learn everything at once.

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ADVICE

Automate Testing to Prevent Regression

Manual QA can't keep up once software gets complex.
Use unit, integration, and UI testing to prevent regressions effectively.

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ADVICE

Test Immediately After Coding

Write your tests immediately after writing code to ensure coverage.
Avoid delays in testing to prevent missing tests entirely.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Journey of a Programmer: From Passion to Practice

01:41 • 12min

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Navigating Manual Testing and Professional Growth in Software Development

13:47 • 2min

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Advancements in AI and Prompt Engineering

16:12 • 7min

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Empowering Young Programmers with Advanced Tools

23:29 • 3min

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From Junior to Senior: The Power of Dependency Injection

26:46 • 8min

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Pro C Sharp 9 or 10 with.NET 6

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Philip Japikse

Andrew Troelsen

Pro C# 9 or 10 with . NET 6 is a comprehensive guide to C# programming and the . NET platform. The book covers a wide range of topics, from basic syntax to advanced concepts such as LINQ, asynchronous programming, and . NET Core. It also delves into object-oriented programming principles and best practices for building robust and scalable applications. The authors, Philip Japikse and Andrew Troelsen, offer clear explanations and real-world examples to illustrate key concepts. With its focus on practical application and up-to-date information, 'Pro C# 9 or 10 with . NET 6' is an invaluable resource for any . NET developer.

Microsoft Semantic Kernel in Action

Build AI applications that integrate multiple models, data sources, and other components using Microsoft Semantic Kernel.

Daniel Costea

Microsoft Semantic Kernel in Action is a guide focused on leveraging the Semantic Kernel SDK to integrate large language models into applications. The book provides practical examples and covers various aspects of Semantic Kernel, including prompt engineering, function orchestration, and integration with other services. It helps developers understand how to build AI-powered features into their existing applications using the Semantic Kernel. The author, Daniel Costea, offers clear explanations and real-world scenarios to illustrate key concepts. With its focus on hands-on application and best practices, 'Microsoft Semantic Kernel in Action' is a valuable resource for developers looking to incorporate AI into their projects.

Unit Testing Principles, Practices, and Patterns

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Unit Testing Principles, Practices, and Patterns is a practical guide that provides developers with a solid foundation in unit testing. The book emphasizes the importance of writing effective tests that improve code quality and reduce bugs. It covers various testing styles, patterns, and automation techniques to help developers create reliable unit tests. The author, Vladimir Khorikov, offers clear explanations and real-world examples to illustrate key concepts. The book also delves into mocking and integration testing, providing a comprehensive approach to software testing. With its focus on practical application and best practices, 'Unit Testing Principles, Practices, and Patterns' is an essential resource for developers looking to improve their testing skills.

Dependency injection in .NET

Mark Seemann

Dependency Injection in . NET is a comprehensive guide that delves into the principles, practices, and patterns of dependency injection. The book explains how to design loosely coupled and testable applications using dependency injection techniques. It covers various dependency injection patterns, such as constructor injection, property injection, and method injection. The author, Mark Seemann, offers clear explanations and real-world examples to illustrate key concepts. The book also delves into advanced topics such as container configuration and lifetime management. With its focus on practical application and best practices, 'Dependency Injection in . NET' is an essential resource for developers looking to improve their application design.

ASP.NET Core in Action

Andrew Lock

ASP. NET Core in Action is a comprehensive guide for developers looking to build web applications using the ASP.NET Core framework. The book covers a wide range of topics, including project setup, middleware, routing, and deployment. It provides practical examples and best practices for building scalable and maintainable web applications. The author, Andrew Lock, offers clear explanations and step-by-step instructions to help developers of all skill levels get started with ASP.NET Core. The book also delves into advanced topics such as dependency injection, testing, and security. With its focus on real-world scenarios and practical advice, 'ASP. NET Core in Action' is an invaluable resource for any . NET developer.

Joe Cuevas Jr. is a seasoned software engineer based in San Antonio, Texas, with a strong focus on front-end development and user experience. At Southwest Research Institute, he contributes to innovative engineering solutions that span industries. With a background that blends technical precision and creative problem-solving, Joe brings a thoughtful perspective to the evolving world of software development. His passion for clean design, scalable code, and collaborative innovation makes him a standout voice in today’s tech landscape.

Topics of Discussion:

[1:46] Why Joe fell in love with programming after a single VB.NET class. [5:00] What guided Joe towards the enterprise side of .NET.

[6:25] Joe’s favorite foundational .NET and ASP.NET Core books.

[9:06] Learning algorithms, concurrency, and testing to make up for no CS degree.

[10:00] Why test automation is essential and doing testing immediately after writing the code. [12:14] Thoughts on test-driven development vs. testing right after coding. [14:18] Previewing Microsoft Semantic Kernel in Action, by Daniel Costa. [15:38] How Joe became a Manning book reviewer, and what he’s learned. [17:18] Prompt engineering and agent instructions: what’s ready now. [18:21] Codex and the moment that blew Joe’s mind. [22:26] How Joe sees software architecture evolving in the future. [24:09] Large language models vs. older code bases, and where they shine. [27:57] Dependency injections.

[32:43] Joe’s advice for junior developers and why persistence beats perfection.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Clear Measure Way

Architect Forum

Software Engineer Forum

Programming with Palermo — New Video Podcast! Email us at programming@palermo.net.

Joe Cuevas LinkedIn

ASP.NET Core in Action

ASP.NET Core in Action, Third Edition

Unit Testing Principles, Practice, and Patterns

Unit Testing Principles, Practices, and Patterns: Effective testing styles, patterns, and reliable automation for unit testing, mocking, and integration testing with examples in C#

Dependency Injection in .NET

Microsoft Semantic Kernel in Action

Explore — LeetCode

Joe on GitHub

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