From Lawyer To Google Software Engineer (at 39 years old)

If you're wondering if it's possible to become a software engineer with an unconventional background, then Zubin Pratap's story will be enlightening. At 39 years old and after spending 15 years as a lawyer, Zubin decided to learn to code. He then joined a small start-up as a software developer before becoming a software engineer at Google, where he worked for 2 years. A year ago, he left Google and started working in the crypto space at Chainlink Labs as a software engineer and developer relations engineer.
Check out Zubin on:
- LinkedIn: / zubinpratap
- Twitter: / zubinpratap
- KZbin: / @zubinpratap
- Instagram: / zubinpratap
- FreeCodeCamp: www.freecodecamp.org/news/aut...
- Courses: www.matchfitmastery.com
AlgoExpert: www.algoexpert.io/clem
SystemsExpert: www.systemsexpert.io/clem
MLExpert: www.algoexpert.io/ml
FrontendExpert: www.frontendexpert.io/clem
ProgrammingExpert: www.programmingexpert.io/clem
BlockchainExpert: www.algoexpert.io/blockchain
My LinkedIn: / clementmihailescu
My Twitter: / clemmihai
My Instagram: / clement_mihailescu
Prepping for coding interviews or systems design interviews? Practice with hundreds of video explanations of popular interview questions and a full-fledged coding workspace on AlgoExpert - www.algoexpert.io - and use the promo code "clem" for a discount on the platform!

[@deepanshupanwar501]

I am 28 years old. I have been a lawyer for 5 years now. I quit my job and started learning to code. Guess who is the most excited and motivated after watching this video?

[@daughterofarevolutionary-s4376]

😂❤❤❤😂😂😂❤❤❤❤

[@XYZ-nz5gm]

I dont’ get it, Lawyers are far more respected than SDEs. Why switch?

[@experiment0003]

@@XYZ-nz5gm Lawyers may be more respected than a web dev (html/css/js) in a basic company like, say, Fidelity bank. There are other SDE domains at top companies that are at the least on the same level as lawyer (and in many cases, way more respected). There are way more ambitious domains in Software Engineer/Computer Science than HTML/CSS/JS. Just to name a few, you could be in Distributed Systems (event-driven architecture with Kafka), you could be into Hadoop mapreduce ingesting millions of data for google's search algorithm. You could be a machine learning engineer working on self-driving cars with Tesla or Zoox or NLP working on Siri with Amazon.

[@lofi-gurl]

@@XYZ-nz5gm because “respect” isn’t everything, really isn’t anything at all. You should do what you want to do and what makes you happy cause it’s your life and you have to live it for yourself not for anyone else

[@drw0]

@@XYZ-nz5gm people work for money not “respect”

[@PG-cc6lx]

I have been a software engineer for 8 years and now I am a lawyer

[@Itsme-pd7uo]

Hello, is there anyway I can contact to you? Cause I have a similar problem. Thank u.

[@fisf.2148]

I was a lawyer in 2016 and started working in 2017 for a fintech startup in a business development role when i was fed up with the emotional drain of law. I discovered technical concepts like the cloud, APIs, etc. I started learning to code at 30 in a web development bootcamp in 2020 and graduated into the pandemic. I got my first technical job in 2022.

[@mariaprincesss3111]

wow. Congrats!

[@victoriasmith2813]

Can you pls recommend web development boot camps?

[@alexdeguzman2207]

Relatable. I got my degree in Exercise Science. Went to a coding bootcamp and immediately got a software engineering internship at a fitness company. As Zubin said, you just have to apply to the right companies where you know you can be of value. Worked my way up and am now working in ad tech. Great video!

[@kshitijgupta4504]

This content is pure gold!

[@MariachiEntertainmentSystem]

I bought algo expert and it’s very helpful and I like clements channel. But I think it’s always important to remember that his business model and his survival is dependent on the survival of the industry, and stories like these. He can’t come out and say that the industry is in a chaotic state, that’s basically saying his program is pointless. These stories are inspiring but they’re unique. It’s like being a musician that can’t read music. Yes. It’s possible. It has merit. There is success to be had. Many great musicians can’t read. But there are many MANY more who have careers doing it a different way. So. Something to remember about clement and his efforts to push this narrative.

[@JD-vj4go]

Well said. And there's a huge difference between no CS degree and no college degree when getting tech jobs. Lots of places you won't even get your resume past the HR filters without some degree.

[@adrianonocanada]

Lawyer for 9 years, starting to learn programing at age of 37 :))

[@harispapadopoulos4295]

Very diverse content lately, love it!

[@perogamemc9887]

Make more such interviews and invite from all fields of Development. Thats great.

[@thestarinthesky_]

So inspiring especially for those who think it is late to achieve their dreams! Thanks for these aswesome videos. Love you❤

[@isoaxe]

4:15 Whether you believe you can do it or believe you can't do it, you're correct.

[@ArmandoManzo310]

What’s the difference between the Tech interview bundle and the full stack interview bundle on your website? Does full stack offer everything the tech interview one does and more or are they 2 completely different bundles?

[@numberonep5404]

high value interview :o

[@mikegarcia7743]

I’m stuck between choosing to be a cloud solutions architect or a blockchain engineer, coming from a healthcare background. Think I’d rather code smart contracts, any advice on what to choose anyone ? I value remote work, people and culture that I work with, flexibility in work schedule. 😊

[@fahimfarque]

The book is The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less, Revised Edition written by Barry Schwartz

[@maximilliantimofte4797]

6:10 THE PARADOX OF CHOICE IS A MOST IMPORTANT CONCEPT 19:00 WHAT THE FRIK IS THAT COMPANY AND TERMS??

[@Grogutech]

Daaaaam! :D Similar background here :D only difference is i started at age of 30 :X watching this makes me feel every word guy is telling, it's so similar :D probably because I also was a lawyer

[@whiteheavn]

idk if someone understand what I'm trying to say but I'm curious, are there lawyer or anyone from the legal industry who still in the legal industry who's actually good at programming? like they basically good at legal job and programming, and would those two skills can be used in their job equally?

[@hoangtran-ek8mn]

Is he the one on freecodecamp long time ago?

[@gastonyauck]

What could be a good way to find a Developer Job ? My current stack is Javascript, React, Tailwind, CSS and some of nodeJs, Express and PostgreSQL.. But its so difficult to find a Job when you are Trainee / Junior.

[@perogamemc9887]

Start in a small company! and from there you can get experience!!!

[@gastonyauck]

@@perogamemc9887 I would love to!! But i cant find any open vacancy.... Even if its underpaid, i dont care, i just want, like you say, get a job to get experience.. But its very hard..

[@raghumanda2tanush496]

Is it possible in india?

[@levyroth]

I know this guy, he is me :D

[@EricDongh2p]

I know this guy, I am you :D

[@kimchi2093]

Wow, what a time to switch lol. Right when AI is about to replace our jobs 😅

[@XYZ-nz5gm]

I don’t get it actually. Lawyers are far more respected as a career than SDEs.

[@launchpad53]

so what, if you do not like what you do, no amount of respect will make you happy.

[@mr.erikchun5863]

No one respects lawyers. There’s jokes about how blood thirsty they are

[@Alesti5]

People care about different things. You may want people to look up to you but other people may want other things.

[@Sir0fficerNasty]

To laid off at 40 😂

[@mamo501]

Hi I Live im Algérie l wOrk titchr arbik l levit woerk my

[@techwithdev2300]

Am I the first one to comment😶‍🌫️

[@JavierFernandezGonzalez-kd4dz]

Yes. Am I the first one to reply?

[@crisi6754]

@@JavierFernandezGonzalez-kd4dz am I the first one to reply to the first reply?

[@m-umar-amir]

@@crisi6754 Am I the first one to reply to the first one to reply to the first reply?

[@reins981]

Your videos are only for elite people who were born super intelligent. Sorry man but that does not apply to the rest