Navigating the Tech World: A Journey from Student to American Express

Welcome to the leap with Chopra, the podcast that bridges continents and connects stories. China's. As we dive into the vibrant world of international education, explore diverse cultures and share the extraordinary journeys of students far from home. Whether you're dreaming of studying abroad or already embarking on this adventure through other means. Libra Tripod is your companion in navigating the exciting, challenging, and transformative world of global education. Let's leap into today's episode. 17s Hello. Welcome to this week's episode. It's going to be another interview, this time with another engineer software engineer that I helped with his journey. Uh, what? It's just to give you another heads up, um, with the episode, um, the quality I had this issue with, you know, has a hollowness to the episode. Um, you know, during the editing, I try to make it sound better, but, uh, this is the best I could do. Um, so enjoy it. Uh, thank you very much for being on this journey so far. Um, next, um, interview series would be a three part, um, series. So this is going to probably be the last time you will hear me apologize for this because I switched softwares. So the previous ones I used StreamYard this one is a new software. So this is this is probably going to sound much better. So thank you very much for, you know, bearing with me with these, um, the last two interviews and their, uh, quality in terms of the recording of the interviews, um, I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoy doing this. And thank you very much for your continued, um, support. And here is this week's episode. 6s All right. Thomas. Good afternoon. From. Well, it's it's kind of evening here from California. Harris. Um, how are you doing in Arizona? U2 2:25 Yeah, Arizona is nice, chilled and calm and beautiful weather. U1 2:30 You've been you've been staying there. How long U2 2:32 now? Um, six months. I moved there in June. So. 1s Six months. U1 2:37 So. And that means you are fully, uh. What did you call Arizonans or U2 2:43 Arizona? Yeah, U1 2:44 Arizona and I in Phoenix. What part of Arizona are you? U2 2:49 I'm in this crazy area. U1 2:51 Scottsdale. Scottsdale, Arizona. Okay, good, good. All right. Well, thank you for doing this. Um, I, I thought your experience was going to be very beneficial to international students that live, uh, currently in the US and also potential international U2 3:07 students. Um, and since I was kind of part of your journey, I felt that it would be a good way to, um, get people to hear your story as well as to give them tips on, you know, how you navigated the very, um, interesting pathway for other international students. So, uh, give us your background. Tell us what you do currently. And, um, yeah. Let's go. Let's let's U1 3:37 get to meet you, U2 3:39 Mike. Thank you for having me. Um, my background a little bit. Um, I started with, um, electrical engineering as my first degree. Uh, okay. I wanted to do electrical engineering because I felt I needed some, some challenging courses to do and get, like, a stable job out there. Um, this when I was in Nigeria. So I was so focused on trying to, like, be the best in my class. So towards my final year before I graduated, I that was when I, um, I made some aside and I was curious how programing works. You know, I was electrical engineering. All I do was memorize all the codes that we did in class, and I pass adjusting on what I was doing. So I think at the time, my older brother introduced me to, um, and he was like, oh my God, he's a very smart guy's a software engineer. And so I became so curious, like, okay, I must, um, kind of learn what software is about. And U1 4:41 what year was this? U2 4:43 This was 2017, U1 4:45 2017. Oh, okay. Yeah. U2 4:48 Yeah, it was a long time. Yeah. Eight years. So. So I mean, I. Okay. Yeah. So that was when I picked up, um, interest in programming, and I was fascinated with Python. Of course, on YouTube, I didn't have to pay for any subscription, so I just went to YouTube. Which programming language should I learn first? You know, just just by googling things. And before you know it, I started learning Python. Python. And that's when I met along the way physically. And I tried to talk to him afterwards, said I didn't know how to talk to him. We met U1 5:20 physically in 2017. That was. 1s Was that? 3s Church. When was that? U2 5:30 Yeah, O'Malley said in in church. U1 5:33 Well, I know we met in church, but 2017, I was not in Nigeria. So it's that same period, that same period, because I know during my journey, when I started, I was still here. But Henry has been telling me about you, um, during that period. And I was like, okay, like I would meet him and stuff like that. But when I come into the church, I met you. So U2 5:56 this is for for everyone. Listen, this is a church back in Lagos, Nigeria. Um, he's his brother. Henry was, um, was the one that introduced him to education USA. So that's that's how we that's the connection. So I met his, um, I met your elder brother who told me that there was this thing that the US embassy did, and I almost didn't believe it, that it existed. And I joined education USA. So he was instrumental in getting me to the USC who, which then eventually helped me. Uh, and that was 2014. So yeah. So U1 6:34 that's, that's that's why I said the the timeline is kind of interesting because 2017, I just graduated from preview. So I know we met briefly probably then in 2014, 2015. U2 6:48 Oh yeah. Yeah. U1 6:49 So so that's the that's the timeline. But yeah. So so how did you decide to study in the US? U2 6:59 Yeah. Um, at the time, I didn't, um. 1s I didn't know much about training and go to study in the US. All I knew was I wanted to be a software engineer. I wanted to be as good as a good programmers. Like the people that I know like bread and the rest. So I started learning programming. And then. And then I applied to companies in Nigeria, um, to work. But before that, I just, um, tried to find a way to prove to companies that I am actually interested in programming. So what I did was I just worked on multiple projects on view to Google leads and simple projects with this language. You know, just computer game uploaded to YouTube. Even though the code I wrote where word for word what was on YouTube. But I was like a good learning experience. So I applied to companies and then some company took me. I think industry time took me and I worked there as an intern first. Then after the internship, I became a full staff. I was there, I knew that there was something missing, right? I jumped from electrical engineering to YouTube programming and, um, so I knew that there was something missing in between. Like, I can't just be without understanding what I'm doing. So it was this kind of theoretical knowledge and practical, um, knowledge. So all I knew was practical because I was just seeing code. Seeing code. But there were some lines behind to understand how programming works before you can even solve a problem. So that was when I became more vested in actually, and to, um, be a software engineer and go to the US. And that's when the mentorship which started. Then I started reaching out to him like, let's see, I know I write software engineering. I started writing Java because I like I heard you like Java, okay. 1s So I was asked for advice and you were like, one, just come and do your master's 1s like, I don't have the money. And you were like, why not check out the USD, try and do your research. Like you don't need to have the money come and study abroad, right? There are so many ways you can do it and get funding to come and study abroad. Correct? So I was kind of slowing down, lagging, like taking my time, taking my time. And before you know it, I noticed that it became heavy in my mind that I need to do it. So I visited that same application USA, I just. 1s Had an understanding of how everything is going to go. If I'm going to go study abroad. So I just use that to get like a path because I'm someone who, if I'm going to work on something or go into something, I'd like to see how the destination is like before it starts. So I kind of envision the route map before starting, and that's what I did. So I went to education USA because I wanted to picture. I wanted to have like clear view of how to start points on how to go about this without breaking the law or missing missing any points. I did that and I came back to the side. So 1s I applied to I even started with applying to Stanford, MIT, Harvard, right. Um, I mean, it's good for those schools, but it's important to highlight. Um, getting into the US and then when it gets to us with your skill sets, you can succeed in America. You don't need to be the best in the world to be there, but you have to like, have like a strategy and a map to follow to succeed. So that's how I started. I'm not trying to, like, uh, practice abroad. Yeah. U1 10:37 So how how, um, how instrumental was the mentorship for you? Um, and how did it how how did the mentorship help shape your journey? 2s Yeah, the mentorship was very, very instrumental because, um. 1s You know, it's easier for you to walk it off that somebody you trust already walked. You know, and because brass had already did 1s something and I saw that it worked for him, all I needed to do was not to create my own path. I just asked him, what is your template? Which school did you go? U2 11:16 I go to that school. Yeah. I just try to like, ask questions like, let me do what you did. If it works for you, I will do what you define which is which U1 11:25 is which is the same thing I did. You worked for someone. Someone that, um, that also did the exact same thing that I did. So, um, that that that is the reason why I, I, I was kind of adamant that you follow this path because, I mean, there are lots of paths you can take. Yeah, but if it's something that has been tried and trusted, why not just do the same thing? You know, it's not a, um. So. So how how how was that journey for you? U2 11:56 Yeah, it was good. It was good because, um, it made it easier for me to, um, know my next step, basically. Right. So knowing that I'm following somebody's footsteps, if I get stuck, all I need to like, hey, um, I'm trying to do this. I know during your time, do something like this. Is it the same? If yes, I proceed. If not the same. But if U1 12:19 you didn't start out that way, U2 12:21 you. Yeah, I was kind of stalling. U1 12:24 You went. You went to another school initially. Well, yeah. U2 12:29 I mean, it was. Tell us about that because it's all part of the experience, you know. Tell us about U1 12:34 the experience. Tell us, um, tell us a process by which you then changed schools. You know, a lot of people just always assume that I'm stuck with this school forever. You know, I cannot change. 1s Um, but but you did it. You U2 12:50 navigated that. So, you know, just tell. Tell us about how you you know, when you when you came in and, um, that would that that this question would, you know, jump into the U1 13:03 next phase of adjusting academically and culturally. So tell us about, you know, um, that initial first school you came into and, and why you decided to U2 13:12 switch. Okay. Okay. That makes sense. So, um, that was um, during the this was during the Covid period when I started my application. So at the time, I knew that I went to preview and I also wanted to go to preview, but the school was demanding that I read to full and all the rest, and it was Covid. There was no place to write it, and it was an emphasis applied to schools who have funding. If you are going to apply to schools that have funding, um, that's if you target the professors and get funding there. So preview was there, but they were asking me for after I have. Then I tried on that school in Oklahoma State University, and this one, because of the Covid, they kind of waived most of the tours and stuff. I was able to prove to them that I was taught with English so that I don't need to read the exam, and I showed them my resume to them, the name of my school I went to find, um, if my school was taught in English, which was accredited. So I submitted documents to them that my school was taught in English. So they approved and gave me the admission to come to the US with hope that I was going to get funding, because some of the professors often were going to give me funding after one semester. If you see my performance, if I'm okay, good. You give me the funding. And that's how I got the admission. Come to the US. I didn't have a preview, so I started with Oklahoma State University to, um, to start my education. And one of the reasons why I switched was because of, um, the availability of funds. So, um, they kept on going especially. And the funding, they say, oh, maybe next semester, next semester. And I knew that if I kept if I keep on doing that, I'd be like Korean myself. So that's when I started again. Like, see, I want to go to your school now. Like, since that school has I want to switch. So I switched after one semester, I switched to pretty and it's pretty good basically. And that's when the journey became smooth. U1 15:19 Okay. So what were the, um, major adjustments that you had to make culturally and academically? What what did you what what was different from your from your Nigerian experience? You know, everyone goes, oh, I went to Nigeria. It can't be that hard to study in the US. I mean, it's just I mean, if I can if I can get through, um, in Nigerian school, I can get through a US school very easy. It's not different. I'm just going to get all A's. What was that adjustment that you had to make academically first? U2 15:51 Yeah, okay. One thing I will say is if you graduated from a university in Nigeria, you are very smart. 1s You are really smart. 1s Um, so one thing I learnt here was about, um, how easy it is to interact with the professors. Okay, okay. Yeah, yeah. Actually humans the, the very convenient to talk with. And in my own experience, there I was, I was kind of comfortable discussing any topic with them. Okay. I have, I have, um, a hard time understanding the topic. I reached out to the professor. He's willing to, like, discuss it with me. So that's kind of encourage me to actually be on top of my game all the time. And that actually, um, and I notice also the way the school is structured, they are hosting what you need and not the, um, irrelevant things. If I said I'm studying computer science, the focus is mostly around things that will help me, um, choose a path towards the end of my course. So it was kind of, um, well crafted and stuff. So the reason why I said if you finished Nigeria, um, you're very smart is the grading system here. And the way you take your exams in US is quite different from how it works in here in Nigeria. You have all the formulas over here, you don't memorize the formulas, you just need to understand how to apply it. Right. And that's one thing that's made this kind of convenient and easier to study. Basically, yes, you still have to study. Was studying become became fun because 1s you have to find practical applications to understand this better okay. Okay. So so what about culturally what what was the what was the initial cultural shock? What was what is the biggest cultural shock for you when you got here? I mean, you you've lived in Minnesota, you lived in Texas, now you're in Arizona. U1 17:42 What exactly has been the biggest shock for you? U2 17:47 Um, I would say one because, uh, I mean, my brother and I, my younger brother and I have been we like watching American movies because we are fascinated by interesting things. 1s So. 2s We started watching American movies because we have how they sound, okay. 1s And stuff like that. So we're always watching movies. So when I came here, I, I wasn't shocked on the language bias because I understood everything they were saying because I watched so much movies. Right. And, um, the shock in general for me is lifestyle. Basically, I'm very Nigerian. Um, I'm very Nigerian are. U1 18:33 Very conservative as well as in people. You just I mean, you come to class, I'm always careful because I've heard of so many things. And even before coming, I was scared of coming to America. For, um, some reason, I thought that, um, there's going to be some kind of, you know, some kind of racism and stuff like that. But coming here, I discovered that if you mind your business and do your thing right. Yeah. Experience, you you are good to go. So some of the shocks would just be maybe cultural differences of how very conservative I am. Right? Very respectful. I don't call people by their first name. I always, you know, just call me this, uh, like my mom is what? You're good. U2 19:19 Yeah. Okay. 1s Um, all right, so let's talk about your your internship. I know you did an internship at, um, Twitter. Just walk us through how you got that internship and what the internship was like. 2s Okay. Yeah. So, um, like I said before I started journey, I can have, like, a roadmap of my sense of direction. And this was the time while I was coming up with a road map, I was a constant call with it almost every day, like, stressed out at the point that I felt like I was stressing him because I was always like, what's next and what's next? So in my roadmap, I even before coming, I knew that I had to find a way to get some of an escape. And according to everything I've understood so far, your internship is your gateway to get a full time job. Correct. So because of applying for internships, I started by applying to so many companies. I was at this point of, I want to get on to getting as many companies as I can. Then I can decide actually and towards the end of my, towards, um, the, towards the summer period, I discovered that I didn't have any internship. So I changed my strategy. And that strategy was because I was forced to focus on trying to apply to companies that will fail. So what I did was I said, okay, you know how I applied to both companies because all I just need is experience, right? So I can work full time eventually. So I started applying to all sorts of companies, whether they were filing or not, and get the most offer. Um, Sony Ericsson. So because I was in the first offer, it was not easy to apply for a second one and negotiate for filing basically. Yeah. So that was my strategy. So after that I have something at hand that I can use in my industrial experience. So while I have the industrial experience then in the future I will contact experience and I can apply for full time job outside and apply to multiple companies negotiating better with filing. And so that's when I got my Twitter. So I took Twitter because the willing to do everything for me at the time, um, compared to the first companies, because I have about five offers. So after that, speak to them because they were willing to learn everything I was looking for. And so U1 21:51 what were the offers? Tell us. U2 21:54 Okay. I got, um, some interest, and then I got. General electric ge. Then I got Salesforce. Okay. Um, and I got one of that company. I can't remember the name, but I kind of think I didn't accept it because it wasn't. Since if you have Salesforce, you have GE, you have. So you 1s need to continue with the rest. Then Twitter was the last one. So I had to decide between Salesforce and Twitter. And I remember reaching out to you. Then I Google that and you were like, look at you debating on which company U1 22:28 to take. U2 22:30 So that was yeah, that was this is like God. U1 22:34 So you'd always you would advise that, you know, go for as many offers and then make sure you are the one that is making that choice. U2 22:41 And, and that U1 22:43 became the choice for you. U2 22:45 Yeah. Yeah. So 2s yeah. Go ahead. Sorry. I'm, I applied to 180 companies and I reached out to you that have applied 250, but nobody's responding. And you told me that you were like you applied to 400 time. I was like, what? And I applied as much as possible. And I even created an Excel sheet of all the companies have applied to apply their status. What happened? What went wrong to keep track of everything applied to over 500 companies basically. And eventually 1s five of them were successful. So U1 23:21 mostly 10% got well, not 10%, 1% got back to you. So U2 23:25 that's good. Yeah. U1 23:27 Um, so what was your, um, your your internship experience? What was it like? U2 23:34 Yeah, it was my first experience in the US, and, um. It was very, very interesting because, um. 3s I would say a very intelligent, very smart. I felt like I felt intimidated at first, you know, um, because I don't know the background. All I just know that these people are extremely intelligent. But it was a very humbling experience because I had the opportunity to learn from them. I've learned so many things that are currently use at American Express from them because the engineers, they are, you know, ordering. So that's when I started understanding, um, the idea of everything I've learned in school, because basically when I was in school, um, in my, in my master's program. Right, I was learning, I was learning so many things that could that was bridging the gap between the theory and practical. So when I got to, um, Twitter, Twitter, it was easier for me to, like, begin to pick up everything like, oh, this is what I've learned so far. And so and the engineers were patient and nice, and they were always, um, ready to help with the code. So it got to the point that I am no longer scared of code, because I know that I can always ask an engineer and to help him. So that challenged me to actually try to solve a problem before reaching engineers. And so yeah, they were very, very instrumental in my understanding of practical application of writing code and deploying and seeing it happen live, you know, and stuff like that. That's kept me so encouraged. And. Yeah. U1 25:12 So without any form of, um, uh, before I ask about, uh, challenges, what what kind of, um, 1s what kind of how important was networking? You know, both, um, at, at, uh, during your internship and how did that that how did that experience of networking in your internship translate to helping you get a job at American Express? U2 25:40 Okay. Yeah. That's good. That's a very good one. So, um. 3s There are so many people who are actually very intelligent. What? What? Um. Sometimes networking is what keeps you apart from the rest of the world. All right, so my my internship, um, during my time at Twitter, I was very close to my manager, okay? And seemed like about me was how, um, curious and inquisitive I was. I kind of demonstrated that I really want to be mentored, okay? I don't want people that I really want to be mentored. So she could see the burning desire of learning and constantly check my in and see the kind of things I post. So I kind of demonstrated that I want to learn and enlighten people and stuff like that. Even writing at the time, writing on blogs tried to like, show people all that I've learned. So that was one way that I used to solidify my understanding, and it's now that I go about it on LinkedIn or on blogs and stuff like that. So my manager was saying all those things I never knew until I got the offer at Twitter and then started conversing, and she told me that she's ready to help me, a mentor, to become a better engineer, and which she did that she did the right to ask questions as a software engineer, the right way to write an email requesting for something. She taught me all these things, basically asked us at Twitter and why the engineer to me how to master writing my code at Twitter. So that was um, so that's, that's U1 27:19 that's how effective was so how so how did you transition, um, from student or should I say intern to a professional. Was there any did you just use the same strategies? Um, how did you how did you land your role at American Express? U2 27:40 Okay. Yeah. I mean, I would say everything is kind of interrelated, both my experience at my networking and down to, um, American Express. So, um, while I was at Twitter, I was supposed to be, um, retained as a full staff, but we all know the story 1s about Elon U1 28:02 Musk bought it and then it became X. So U2 28:06 I wrote U1 28:07 to Twitter. But yeah, that was a period. You were there. You know, U2 28:12 you were not. I was I U1 28:13 wasn't even sure if she was going to have a job, U2 28:16 you know. Yeah, she was even she was she was leaving the company. Uh, she left the school. I didn't know. I was still, like, hoping that I would reach out to her like, hey, man, we discussed this. And if you need to check the links in Twitter. So that's where I reached out to her, because she was very kind and helpful during my internship. So she was putting in words for me and recommendation companies. Okay, that is how much we've become so close. She was reaching out to people for people in on LinkedIn and companies that she know, make sure that I get an offer there. And that was that was because I was kind of, um, very close with her when it comes to. 1s Networking and learning. So she saw it as I really want to help us to be better. So it was easier to refer to people I know, stuff like that I wouldn't have that would have been possible if if we didn't read a good relationship. So referred me to 1s GitHub and all this 1s stuff, right? I eventually got a job at Amex. Um, and some of the things that I learned from Twitter is about, um. 1s Um, your optimizing your code to be better. Okay. Okay. So in my interviews that I had at American Press. So, um, most of the questions that they asked were mostly things around. Um, um, this is good questions, adding algorithms and stuff like that. So those are mostly the questions they asked. And it's not just about writing the course. Sometimes it's about actually writing an optimized code, basically. And those are some of the things I picked while I was at Twitter. And, um, I was able to I mean, as long as I was able to go through the five, four phases of interview and U1 30:06 the phases just define the phases so that so that people would know U2 30:09 what what you have to do, um, and why your skills mattered in getting these things. Because you don't know anybody that um, at American Express, you literally have yourself and your skills and U1 30:22 interviewer. So tell us the phases. U2 30:25 Okay. Yeah. So the first phase was basically a recruiter reaching out to me on LinkedIn. And um, she was like, oh, I'm impressed with your skills. I've seen everything you do, your posts and your experiences at Twitter. You are interested in speaking to you. So that was the part of the first phase. So the first phase was just recruiter trying to like find out in great fits for the company. Based off my experiences and what I've done at Twitter and to see if I can fit in. And then they also referenced my experience at Interswitch when I was in Nigeria. Okay, I was surprised. I thought they would focus on us only, but the overall experience of what I have. So I was able to like, um, discuss that face, which was like the first phase, which is what most people is pass, right? This is always a good question. So do we ask you like this question? I mean, I say this good question because most of the structures are similar to the questions they ask in leetcode. Right? And mind you, before these interviews, I always practice solving like at least one day. Whether sometimes I finish one question, I end up having one question in two days. Right. But what is important is there's progress. That's progress. I discover that the more I get myself conversant with solving LeetCode questions, the more easier it is to answer any avoiding questions, basically. So, um, I did my second interview, which is like algorithm and data structure questions. So I was like skill tree and stuff like that. I passed the second stage. Then on the third stage, I had two, um, two engineers visiting American Express in 1s like zoom call. So I did that one as well. So the question is access similar to Familia? So the advantage of solving a problem is that a time will come when you begin to see patterns. Yeah. Yeah. You U1 32:25 see that there, the repetitive patterns. And then even if you have not seen the question before, you are able to you were able to hack and get into the pattern. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Uh, one of the most specific pattern is actually called the 75 LeetCode question. So somebody one of these Facebook came up with like a structure and said, okay, if you can solve these 75 questions right, then you'll be able to solve any algorithm questions basically. So I just quickly took that same path question and focus on them and try to like learn their, their pattern. And so that's how it became easier for me to send a list of questions. Yeah. See them every day basically. Right. What questions they asked I was familiar with them. And the good thing about solving those questions is that. You don't really need to know. It's like back to back leg and know the code word for word. Yeah, you have to demonstrate some kind of understanding that you know how to use properly. So that's why serving it and serving and avoiding question. It's important you show the interviewer understand the question right and that you have a solution before writing your code. So there are some techniques I have to follow on how to answer interview question I did, so I followed. I mean, I watched many interview questions, and I also mean, I think at the time I had two interviews, interviews which are asking what kind of questions do they ask? What should I expect? So I was kind of prepared on the kind of questions to ask. And so it was easier for me to like them and build solutions with the engineers. I don't need to give them code, right? Be the solution engineer. So it made me more comfortable. And then my third stage, the first stage was a behavioral interview. Basically. So the moment I saw that passage, I was a bit confident, like, oh, I pass the coding one. That means behavior is easy. So I did the behavioral review and stuff like that. So that was kind of on cue side. Then there was a final one I was supposed to do with management that would determine if I would get the offer or not. So the scheduled interview during um, Nesby Nesby is a national, National Society of um black Engineers. Right. Restart. Oh, sorry, I won't be available in this time. I will be at Nesby and they will have. Oh, at nesby you are going to be there as well. And the reason why B was because I knew that one of the ways to get a job, um, a good job in America is to attend all these auditorium events, conferences and, um, 1s attend them and sell yourself basically. So I was ready. I was even open telling them that I obviously. So they were like, oh, if you are going to be a nesby, our company will be there, why not go there? And who will interview your final phase there? U2 35:15 So I already had a pending interview, right? U1 35:19 Which is always the best strategy. U2 35:21 Yeah. So at the time I didn't know was going to be linked. They were interviewing me separately as an experienced engineer, but eventually I landed in Nesby. And when I got to be, of course, with many other companies, both my focus was American Express because I knew I've gone through four phases. Just that last one remaining and stuff, and I got a Nesby. I did my final interview with the VP, who is like a very nice mentor to me as well. So, um, he interviewed me both algorithm. And so U1 35:56 we gave you another technical question. U2 35:57 Another. So three questions, U1 36:00 no questions after you've been through two phases already. U2 36:03 Yeah, I had to explain to him at some point like sir I've done U1 36:07 like don't let U2 36:08 me. I know, I know. Let's do it again. Whiteboard right in front of 2s it. Give me a marker said solve this question. So like I said, once you're familiar with most of the questions is easier for you to come up with this solution. And I was not afraid to ask questions like this. I would always ask questions like, this is my approach. What do you think? Right. Because some people just jump into giving solution. But how are you my face? If it says, um, not good, I'll think of something else. Yeah, actually very kindly, um, patience to help. So, yeah, that was how I landed it. You can express. Yeah. U1 36:48 So based on your experience, what advice would you give to current international students and also prospective students aiming for a successful career in the US? U2 37:00 Yeah. Um, it depends on your field, basically. So in my own field, um, which is like computer science. Yeah. I try to keep my skills, um, updated and up to par. Okay. So I try to, like, keep good networking. Actually, on on handshake, I try to stay connected with all of them as well. So what now advice is if you are going to the route of computer science or computer information technology or any tech related or something. Yes, I would say try to like keep your skills updated and also stay connected with, um, people. Um, inasmuch as you think that staying connected on LinkedIn is not helpful, actually they do watch or you post basically. So if you demonstrate some kind of curiosity and this and how you post and things that you learn, probably you can pick up the attention of somebody else who is actually new. And if you are in the rut of software engineering, although personally it is good practice. Question. And it's good. Okay. At the beginning it's kind of intimidating. Basically, it's intimidating because you have one question. But um, almost always say timebox yourself timebox. If you see a problem box, say, I'm giving myself, for example, 30 minutes to solve this if I can't find a solution. So I time Timebox yourself, try to solve the problem. If it's not working, just switch to the solution, understand what you do, and try to reduce the things in the game within the same time box. So the context in yourself for each of your self improvements. Before you know it, you become proficient in how to solve problems. This is the rate of change in this. U1 38:50 So last question. So reflecting on your entire journey now, how do you feel about the decision to leap to the US and others. What does this experience mean for each of you now? U2 39:04 Yeah. It's a very life changing disability. Yeah. I've enjoyed every, um, bit of my journey. Okay. But for the struggling parts and the successful parts, basically. So the reason why I appreciate the struggling part as well is that if there was no challenge along the way, other challenges along the way. U1 39:26 Right. I U2 39:28 don't know how I appreciate the the success. So the struggle is part of the success, actually. And, um, it has been an amazing journey. And, um, having people have friends like, um, Russell, who we encourage you when I was meet halfway, like, why did I come here? I have to go back to Nigeria. 1s You have to hang in there, bro. You have to hang in there. Just be done with the school first. Then we can talk about the rest, you know. And it was kind of encouraging to have people ask questions to, to reach out to, to just to feel encouraged because knowing that you have no family here, it's the beginning of depression, right? The first weeks in America, I was crying because I was not used to being on my own. Yeah, no family, no friends. I was crying and stuff like that. But what I am today, understanding that, um. 1s To grow. Actually, you have to be away from the comfort zone. Yeah. So I started by being a constant, growing, always being tortured and family in Nigeria. So I don't feel like I'm lost. You know, 1s family praying for me and stuff and just staying and obeying the laws basically to thrive. Yeah. Okay. Oh, okay. Well, thank you very much for sharing. I don't want to take too much of your time. I know you have a 1 or 2 called, uh, code bases to look at or some CI, CD, U1 40:56 uh, triplets or some MLOps, uh, things to, to flesh out. But I wanted to say thank you for taking out some time of your precious time to speaking with, uh, uh, our podcast today. Um, I wish you very well. I, I hope to bring you for further interviews. Um, probably around things like how do you grow where you are. So what are you what have you done differently? Did you get a promotion and things like that. So so that we can we can work through so that people can learn through the lens of people that are in the system, as opposed to just reading a blog somewhere like, you know, someone wrote this, so I will be disturbing you for further episodes. U2 41:42 Yeah. Thank you so much for having me. It's a pleasure. U1 41:45 Yeah. 21s Thank you for tuning into this episode of Live Chat. I hope it brought you further insights and stories that resonate with your journey. If you have any thoughts to share, questions or want to send a voice over your feedback, please visit our website at lip IO. You will find a contact from there. I would love to hear from you to feature your voice in a future episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform, some of which are Apple Podcasts, Spotify, I heard Radio or Play FM. Your subscriptions and reviews help us grow and reach more listeners, and I truly appreciate each one of them. Also, check out our merch store on the 1s website for some cool t shirts and hoodies. Perfect show for showing your support for the show. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll dive even deeper into the experiences and challenges of international education and careers. Until then, keep leaping forward. Thanks again for being part of the leap for community.