The freeCodeCamp Podcast #170 From Art School Drop-out to Microsoft Engineer with Shashi Lo
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May 2, 2025 Shashi Lo, a Microsoft software engineer and former art school student, shares his inspiring journey from dropping out of art school to mastering programming. He discusses the hustle of freelance work and the importance of building a reputation to land tech jobs. Shashi also reflects on the resilience borne from his family's immigrant experience and how it shaped his work ethic. Balancing a demanding career with raising four kids, he offers insights on managing life and career in the evolving tech landscape.
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Best Practices for Pull Requests
- Keep pull requests (PRs) small and atomic to ease understanding and review.
- Break large features into multiple smaller PRs to avoid regressions and lengthy reviews.
Family Refugee Journey
- Shashi's parents fled Laos, crossing the Mekong River under threat to seek refuge in Thailand.
- They rebuilt their lives in Wisconsin with no money or English, working extremely hard for their family.
Early Work Ethic in High School
- Shashi worked from age 14, sacrificing high school sports to make money and gain independence.
- Graduating early allowed him to start earning sooner and lighten family financial burdens.