Alumni Highlight: Lawrence Hwang

We spoke with Lawrence Hwang on Thursday, September 7, 2023. Lawrence was a Web Development Fellow with CUNY Tech Prep's seventh cohort. He graduated from CUNY Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and is employed at American Express as a Software Engineer!

Tell me about yourself.

I am a software engineer at American Express and started in August 2022. It’s my first job, first position, and current position. I graduated from Brooklyn College in Spring of 2022. I was on the full-stack web development track at CTP.?

How did your time at CTP influence your career?

I’m really grateful for my time at CTP! Before, I had zero practical experience and no projects to show for the time and effort I put in college, aside from basic command line programs. CTP gave me an idea of what things I need to build and learn to be a full-stack developer.

Another CTP alum in the same cohort actually sent me the application for American Express, where I got the offer and work now! If not for CTP and the connection, I probably wouldn’t have found the job opening and definitely wouldn’t be where I am now!

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What was the job interview process like? How many applications?

When I was applying, I used Stipplo, a website the career coaches recommended, and CUNY alumni created. I applied to about 60-70 applications. I applied to more jobs but I didn't log them; this is considered few for software engineers!

For some positions, I had many rounds of interviews, starting with an online assessment. For American Express, however, the process was very smooth, with only one round - a behavioral section and 1 technical section with an individual. More companies should follow AmEx's lead instead of having 4-5 rounds of interviews.

What were some of the questions you were asked in the interviews?

For the behavioral interview, it was standard questions primarily revolving around the path thus far in academia and work and about the company. The technical interview was structured in a way where you work through and complete as many problems as you can in the provided time; I got up to the third. They were all Leetcode-styled questions.

What do you like about your current role?

I like the culture at AmEx the most. The people are very helpful and it is a very friendly work culture. There is no micromanaging, the work-life balance is phenomenal, and the company really cares about its colleagues’ well-being and mental health. I don’t need to hesitate to ask questions and there is no such thing as stupid questions. I also get to work on a wide variety of projects and collaborate with other teams.?

What does your day-to-day look like?

It’s pretty standard. I have a daily stand-up for team members to discuss what we are working on and what problems they are facing. I also have a lot of other meetings that involve obtaining access to certain technologies, gathering information from other teams, and other related things. The rest of the day involves completing the tasks that need to be done, either work in progress or new tasks.

What are some frustrations you have experienced in your career/industry?

I would say the standard frustrations a software engineer faces. Getting stuck on implementing certain features, issues with getting a project running locally, and trying to fix bugs are a few that can be real time-consumers and blockers in productivity.

Are you working on any projects outside of work?

Yes! I am very big on education and passionate about teaching. I am currently an online tutor teaching Java and other programming languages. I have done this for a year. Last semester, the workload became as intense as a second full-time job but has eased up with the summer and new school year. I am now working on an online course teaching Java from beginner to interview-ready.

What are your interests outside of CS/tech?

Yes, where do I start? Right now, my main interests are language learning, exercising, and acting. I’m learning Japanese and visited Tokyo and Kyoto this summer, realizing I have a LONG way to go! I exercise as much as I can and enjoy bodybuilding and staying fit. I recently started studying acting at the Barrow Group to work towards becoming a film actor; I recently had my headshots taken and am ready to apply!

Aside from these, I enjoy reading nonfiction and want to start pursuing writing, a lifelong passion of mine. I also like going to bars and nightclubs occasionally and I try to do something new every weekend. I’ve also been trying to get back into some old hobbies like painting, playing chess, and learning Cuban salsa!

What advice would you give current CTP students?

You’re on an excellent path! You’re ahead of the game since you’re on the road to getting a degree and a CUNY Tech Prep certificate, opening up opportunities many others don’t have! Make the most of your time at CTP by building projects and working on your resume, and you should be all set for your job hunt!?

Don’t get discouraged from applying to a lot of positions! They say if your job application number isn’t in the triple digits, you haven’t applied enough. So just apply! Don’t get too attached to a single position and keep at it!

Make sure you are ready for the behavioral and technical interview, but don’t sweat it too much either! I know the interview process can be very intimidating, but don’t let what they say about it intimidate you into not taking action and putting in your 100%!

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Yeah! Be dedicated and driven in your career pursuits, but know it isn't the only thing important in life! Focus on your physical health and your mental health, and don't forget to have fun!

I know how easy it is to fall into the trap of ambition and just work all day non-stop, skip meals, and log what you do every 15 minutes making sure every single moment is a "productive" one. I've been in that situation!? Between my main job at Amex and my tutoring, I've worked 15-hour work days weeks in a row in the past. I do not recommend this.?

The most precious thing is your body, so get plenty of sleep, eat well, and exercise! Also, a healthy mind is a healthy life! Mental health is just as important as physical health, so take care of your well-being, take breaks, spend time meditating, read self-help and psychology books, and do plenty of research into developing yourself! You’ll be spending the most time with yourself, so make sure you are someone you want to be with!

But, again, don’t forget to have fun and just live life without taking yourself too seriously! I once read a blog post saying “When you are young, have experiences that are a mile wide but an inch deep.” Have fun, pursue fulfilling hobbies, travel as much as you can, and be an interesting and well-rounded person! Have stories to tell and be able to talk about something other than work!

What is the dream?

I am an educator, and my dream is a world where every student has access to the tools and resources they need to succeed and be at their very best.?

During my time from K-12, I didn't have the support and material I needed to excel and always felt really suppressed and not at my full potential. As a teacher creating my own material and curriculum, I can really see the flaws of the U.S. education system and how things are really inefficient and time-wasting.?

So, my dream is that no student ever feels this way and every student has a reason to be passionate, hardworking, and at their full potential, with room to explore their passions. On the same token, that means all teachers care about their students and do their best to support them.?

This also means a world where the school setting is a safe and friendly one, where students can actually look forward to the school day, instead of it being an oppressing and traumatizing environment, as it can often be.