#114 From Microsoft Engineer to CTO – Quincy interviews Meme Queen Cassidoo (Cassidy Williams)
Mar 8, 2024
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CTO CassiDoo discusses creating tech memes, exploring creative freedom, Twitch streaming, passion for mechanical keyboards, AI startup journey, diverse city experiences, navigating career changes in tech industry, evaluating companies, US immigration challenges, and preventing burnout.
Seeking supportive communities in tech is vital for navigating male-dominated environments.
Evaluating company culture is essential for growth and well-being in a professional setting.
Balancing good pay, positive culture, and growth opportunities is crucial for job satisfaction.
Deep dives
Discovering the Lack of Representation in Tech
Cassidy Williams shares her experience of being one of the few women in her AP computer science class, highlighting the lack of representation in tech from an early stage.
Seeking Supportive Communities in Tech
Cassidy emphasizes the importance of finding and being part of supportive communities in tech for advice, guidance, and camaraderie, particularly when navigating male-dominated environments.
Importance of Healthy Company Culture
Cassidy stresses the significance of evaluating company culture by looking for indicators such as communication dynamics, stated values, and employee experiences to assess whether the environment is conducive to growth and well-being.
Essential Factors in Job Consideration
Cassidy outlines three crucial factors for job consideration: good pay, positive company culture, and growth opportunities, suggesting that a balance of at least two out of three is essential for a fulfilling professional experience.
Importance of Customer Obsession in Job Interviews
During job interviews, the speaker asks candidates to choose between the importance of the customer, the product, or the employees. At Amazon, the consensus was on customer obsession, reflecting the company's culture. Different answers to this question provide insights into how individuals communicate their priorities within an organization, highlighting the significance of consistency and clarity in responses.
Dealing with Burnout and Self-Care in Technical Fields
The conversation delves into recognizing signs of burnout and the importance of self-care strategies to prevent and address burnout effectively. Personal anecdotes shared underscore the need to set boundaries, say no when necessary, and engage in activities outside of work to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Emphasizing the value of aligning work with personal values and seeking support from communities to navigate challenges in the tech industry.
She's worked in tech for over a decade as a developer at several tech companies, including Microsoft, Amazon and Netlify. She has gradually progressed to senior developer and now CTO.