SDE US Day 2: The Coding Grind & Office Vibes
Alright, so Day 1 of my Software Engineer journey in the US was all about the excitement of the interview process. But Day 2, that's where the real fun and the pressure kicked in. It was all about the technical tests and getting a feel for the office culture. Let's break it down!
Technical Tests: The Code Challenge
We've all been there: the dreaded coding test. It's the moment of truth. You're staring at a screen, surrounded by other nervous hopefuls, and your brain is trying to process complex algorithms while your fingers are typing furiously.
The Good News: I felt pretty confident during the tests. They were focused on real-world problems, not just theoretical concepts. I managed to solve most of them within the time limit, even if it meant pulling an all-nighter to prep the night before (oops, don't tell my future boss!).
The Not-So-Good News: The pressure was definitely on. I felt like I was in a competition with everyone else in the room. But honestly, that competitive spirit just pushed me to do better.
Office Life: The Silicon Valley Vibe
After the coding tests, we got a tour of the office. And let me tell you, it was straight out of a Silicon Valley movie! There were ping pong tables, bean bag chairs, and even a slide (yes, you read that right, a slide!).
But what really impressed me was the focus on collaboration and innovation. The company was buzzing with energy, and it was clear that everyone was passionate about what they were doing.
The Highlight: One of the coolest things was the "hackathon" room. It's a dedicated space where employees can work on side projects, experiment with new technologies, and just generally have fun with tech.
Overall Thoughts: Day 2 Wins!
Day 2 was a whirlwind of coding and culture. It gave me a real taste of what it's like to be an SDE in the US, and I'm feeling more excited than ever. The technical tests were challenging, but I learned a lot from them. And the office environment just solidified my belief that this company is somewhere I want to be.
So, stay tuned for Day 3!