An ACTUAL Day in the Life of a Software Engineer

Join me on this day in my life of a software engineer working for Microsoft. From writing code to solving complex problems, I'll show you exactly what I do on a regular basis as a software engineer here!
If you're interested in the equipment I use to record, I made a kit for it!
jfon.tech/yt-kit
📖 Chapters:
00:00 On my way to work
00:53 Desk setup tour!
01:20 The product I work on
01:59 Surprising number of meetings
03:15 Programming languages
04:15 Coding today's task
04:43 Lunch & telemetry
05:20 Coding time!
06:30 Tools I usually use
07:00 Today's final progress
🚀 Let's connect
www.jcfontecha.com
/ jufontech
/ jfontech
Disclosure: Any code displayed on-screen was mocked for the purposes of the video as I always do for my videos, but this is otherwise an accurate recount of most of the responsibilities that come with a job in tech!
#softwareengineer #microsoft #dayinthelife #microsoftlife

[@jcfontech]

I'd love to learn how different this looks from your own day-to-day activities! 🙌🏻

[@nerd_alert927]

I'm in front of a computer all day doing the same thing (I can sometimes feel my brain turning to mush 😆) with a couple teams meetings thrown in. No real interactions with anyone. I hardly ever seen anyone in the kitchen during lunch breaks either.

[@owenwexler7214]

I’m refactoring a JS/Next 10/Material-UI codebase to TS/Next 13 (pages router)/Tailwind, so lately my day has been: being in components and tests, rename them from .js to .tsx, write typedefs, make all the red lines in the IDE go away, make the components Tailwind, make the tests pass, rinse repeat.

[@bobbynewman6129]

Really appreciate the more “real” representation of your job, compared with other day in the life videos out there. Thanks for sharing!

[@holdir]

Finally, somebody doing a video of 'a day in the life of a software developer' that doesn't focus on smoothies, bike rides, gym sessions and lunch catering.

[@techmentormaria]

As a software engineering manager and former tech lead, I really enjoyed this video and found it to be a great insight into the daily work of a software engineer at a large company like Microsoft. It's interesting to see the variety of tasks and responsibilities that are involved in the job and the importance of collaboration and communication. Your emphasis on the importance of continuously learning and improving is also spot on, as the field is constantly evolving. Thank you for sharing your experiences and offering such a valuable and informative look at the day-to-day work of a software engineer.

[@jcfontech]

Happy to share and thanks for dropping by! Glad to hear it resonated with your experience in the industry as well :)

[@nguhelon7015]

I love your videos man. It shows the reality of things and what to expect when becoming a software engineer. I'm definitely subscribing to your channel

[@teenytinytoons]

this dude is about to hit 500k subs in no time. sick editing and production and great content. just found you yesterday.

[@EduardoHenrique-nd1ro]

Another amazing vlog, Juan! Thanks for sharing with us! Cheers from Brazil!

[@duwcanh6589]

Love the transition and lighting!

[@jessejordan369]

This video is really wonderful. Keep up the good work.

[@brunocmesquita]

Very good content. Please keep it going!

[@abrilmarina]

What an awesome video!! 😍😍

[@jesusdaaav]

i'm a huge fan!! keep up your good work!

[@nadaz7333]

This is so cool! Was in doubt about switching to iOS dev but this made me realize I'm making a good decision :) Thanks!

[@samareshdas767]

Finally someone who shows real software engineer's day rather than food videos in the name of this big companies. Pretty much every ytuber making daily life at a maang level company literally films food videos.

[@justinwhite7326]

Finally an actual representation of the job! It’s so refreshing to not see someone getting 15 coffees and eating for 15 minutes

[@samareshdas767]

Pretty much every ytuber making daily life at a MAANG level company literally films food videos.

[@xolanimaphumulo6820]

I just subscribed to this channel, great video!

[@bls512]

That nature walk into work is amazing. 🍀

[@jcfontech]

It really is! One of my favorite parts of my day :)

[@fallencheeto4762]

This was very well made 😃

[@lmrl021]

I'm inspired with this video. It visualizes how software engineers do.

[@Aronavy]

I really enjoyed this video

[@n1cl4s]

I am so glad I stumbled upon your video, and I find it incredibly exciting to “know” someone working on loop. Can you please ensure it gets as good or even better than Notion? I really like Notion, unfortunately the company I work at blocks Notion so I can't use it. MS Loop would be so great as a replacement.

[@jcfontech]

Absolutely! Thanks for dropping by :)

[@jvenema86]

so wonderful beautiful video friend Juan i love it so much

[@steroidies6343]

Finally, a video that isn't a montage of transportation and eating food with that upbeat music in the background. This is what actually deserves views.

[@samareshdas767]

Pretty much every ytuber making daily life at a MAANG level company literally films food videos.

[@TheEamonKeane]

you had me at "refactor for type safety"

[@riadsarkar9438]

Keep it up... Love from Bangladesh 🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩

[@fabioortegon524]

Que bonito está tu apartamento

[@imadsrk7746]

Awesome video, liked it when you used minecraft sound in the beginning 😄

[@jcfontech]

Thanks! 😁 Couldn't help it

[@isurikasandarenu7091]

May I know which languages ​​you are using for coding

[@jankarlsson8341]

I've seen quite a few A Day in the Life of a Software Engineer videos, everyone is using Macs. Totally understandable of course.

[@obaidnasary]

At 04:16 I see the time on your watch does not match with the time on the caption

[@agi-news]

I'm about to start with Microsoft Azure for operators team and I was wondering If I could use my own personal computer to do work or do I have to use the laptop given to me. My desktop is on windows 11 but I simply don't have a ton of space in the room I rent to set up a latop in my tiny desk. Is it optional or a reccomendation that employees use the laptop to work

[@jcfontech]

I'd recommend you reach out to your manager about that, they will be best equipped to help you. Best of luck in your new role though!! Sounds exciting :)

[@crackzz8913]

Please, more content with subtitles for spanish speaking who are learning english. Thanks good video

[@nerd_alert927]

I am an Accountant that really loves coding and would love to work as a financial software engineer. But, Microsoft seems so much nicer.

[@jcfontech]

There are a lot of opportunities in the fintech space as well! I actually had as much fun there as I'm having at Microsoft :)

[@nerd_alert927]

@@jcfontech Thank you! I'm excited for this new journey I'm on. Maybe, someday I might end up at Microsoft too, at least I live in WA. 😆

[@softwarenotes949]

What are your thoughts about ChatGpt replacing Software Engineers ?

[@joshwilliams03]

its still basic atm it can just do the basics, wont be able build full RESPONSIVE apps on command for a long time yet

[@jcfontech]

I think it'll help us automate more and more tasks but I don't see it replacing software engineers anytime soon!

[@osamaibrahim8847]

Do I need a Mac for a job in programming?

[@hammadbhatti2581]

@Juan carlos fontecha Hi! i want to become a software engineer. need your some information is python or c++ language is enough to become a software engineer and getting job.

[@davidegatta4090]

Do you necessarily need a degree for the job you do?

[@mohamedyamani8502]

Quick tip, lower the volume of background music when you're speaking, it got in the way

[@jcfontech]

Feedback noted, thank you!

[@Egg3lari]

Buenas, soy de argentina y en un año termino mi carrera, que me recomiendas para poder conseguir un trabajo en alguna empresa como estas?

[@devgabriel6898]

Primeramente inglés conversacional. Y luego ser muy pro con algoritmos porque estas empresas tienen las pruebas técnicas basadas en intrincados ejercicios de ese estilo.

[@jcfontech]

Mi recomendación principal es mantener un buen portfolio de proyectos (te ayuda en el CV y para agarrar experiencia) y luego enfocarte mucho en estructuras de datos y algoritmos para los coding questions. Esos definitivamente requieren habilidades diferentes a las que adquieres programando por tu cuenta así que tienes que ir bien preparado. Mucho éxito!

[@domranvid6254]

hi sir what can u recommend for beginner like me zero knowledge in programming and want to pursue software engineer thank you

[@jonathanduck5333]

do your own coding projects

[@seccat]

Right off the bat. You get to take a leisurely walk to work through the woods, with bird chirping, at 9:30. Normal people have to fight the “I’m late for work crowds”

[@kingofyoutube9318]

How much money does your job pay?

[@maikolsoro1835]

use swift for work ?

[@jcfontech]

For the most part, yes!

[@goldenbeast951]

monitor inches?

[@jcfontech]

I think all are 27"!

[@yoyoyo1penaldo]

Can u get me a job on microsoft

[@devgabriel6898]

I just HATE meetings. Honestly, the only usefull are dailys (very short) and meetings if you need something from another dev. All the others are an utterly ugly waste of time for me. Specially this Scrum boilerplate ones as Demos, and Retros (how i hate retros). I hate when my manager puts 1-1 (wasted time ussualy) and stupid team meetings for no reason (just to hang around)... Thats why im shifting to be more as a Freelancer, yes clients can be a pain in the back too... But at least no Scrum useless meetings hehe. I remember one company that i worked for... We only had the short daily and then 0 meetings (only if needed by force) until next day. I loved that.

[@jcfontech]

I understand your struggles, meetings can definitely feel disruptive and kill our productivity. They're for the most part a necessary evil but we try to keep them to a minimum! Best of luck with the freelancing work!

[@cesarocbudev]

Where are you from?

[@jcfontech]

Originally from Mexico!

[@lakshya.bairagi73]

Hello dude my name is lakshya and I want to become a software engineer right now I am 16yrs old so what should I do plz guide me . 🙏🙏 from India awaiting for your reply

[@Amazoninspiration]

I also want to become a software engineer, and I am 28yrs old, I am at San Francisco, I know I can go to school, learn it from a BootCamp or do all this by myself online, but do you think I am still can become a software engineer? One last thing I am a English second language learner.

[@jcfontech]

Hi Lakshya! I'd recommend to learn coding for the fun of it! You're young and have plenty of time so focus on learning the side of tech that looks most interesting to you :)

[@jcfontech]

@@Amazoninspiration Sure thing, I know people that started getting into tech much older than that. And they also happened to be non-native English speakers. If you have the extra cash you can definitely try a boot camp, but don't feel like that's the only way. There are a ton of free resources online as well! Feel free to also let me know what kind of content would be helpful for you on this channel

[@Amazoninspiration]

@@jcfontech Do you use premiere pro 2023 to edit your videos?

[@MatthewHo376]

The words source depot are PTSD. I hope you don’t have to touch it too often 😂

[@jcfontech]

Fortunately not too often anymore 😂

[@hussienalsafi1149]

🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠

[@MJ-eo5zc]

Very nice video Bro!! But please pass my message to Windows team that windows 11 sucks........finding This PC icon is a full time job. just wasted $139 ☹

[@TomasRamoska]

Your windows PC is right from 2012 🤣

[@cloud5887]

funny how the issue you ran into has absolutely nothing to do with your actual task... I can relate. So annoying!

[@JJFlores197]

The irony. You work at Microsoft and are using a Mac.😆

[@holdir]

He is developing the product for the Apple ecosystem, mainly iOS, and to do so you need a Mac :shrug:

[@JJFlores197]

@@holdir Yeah I hadn't watched the entire video prior to writing the comment.