In September of 2024, we interviewed our volunteer Justin Le. Justin is a Senior Software Engineer at The Knot Worldwide in the Planning and Guest Zone. He has worked on projects such as the Homescreen redesign and the Wedding Checklist revamp, and has driven initiatives like establishing code review standards. Justin also serves as the Chair of the Asian@TKWW Employee Resource Group.
Outside of his work in tech, he is a yoga instructor and is actively involved with the NYC BIPOC Climbing Collective.
Enjoy our interview with Justin!
How did you learn about Pursuit and in what ways do you volunteer with us?
I learned about Pursuit when I first joined The Knot Worldwide three years ago. Zohar Yardeni invited Pursuit to speak at an event. After that, I volunteered for a hackathon and then found my niche with Capstone/Portfolio Project technical mentorship. I also occasionally volunteer with technical interviews and recently had a great time teaching an admissions workshop with Madhu, another Pursuit Volunteer.
What’s been a highlight of your volunteering experience with us so far?
I love volunteering as a technical mentor for the Capstone/Portfolio projects and can never say enough good things about it. It's a wonderful celebration of creativity and passion, and I'm always grateful for the opportunity to support the fellows during this transformative and important milestone in their journeys. Seeing their process from start to finish, I always leave refreshed and excited about our industry and its future.
What’s been your journey to becoming a Software Engineer?
My journey to becoming a software engineer was not a straightforward path. While I spent a lot of time on the internet when I was younger and was fascinated by building websites, my curiosity eventually led me into the field of theatre and live performance. I studied theatre in school and worked in the DC area for a while, both performing and working on the production side as a theatre electrician. One day, I had a conversation with a fellow cast member who spoke about how they were able to do software engineering part-time while still making it to rehearsals and performances. Convinced, I went back to school to study computer science and have been in software engineering since.
Are there any key experiences or key mentors that impacted your career or shaped your approach to leadership?
I used to be a Resident Assistant for the Department of Residence Life at the University of Maryland. The organization as a whole, and especially my supervisor, placed a strong emphasis on building community—both on the floors we were assigned and among the staff. We became friends and neighbors since we lived where we worked, which gave us a candid and transparent view into each other's lives. Because of that, workplace issues and resentments felt petty in comparison. Despite our flaws being plainly visible, it was the most supportive and close-knit team I've ever been a part of.
What tech trends are you following now? What are you excited about?
I'm a big policy nerd, especially in the realm of tech. I'm interested in how we can limit potential harm to populations most vulnerable to unintended side effects caused by the products we build.
Recently, I've been following issues like the enactment of policies restricting cell phone or social media use in schools, and the ethical implications of AI and how we balance competition and safety—particularly regarding its abuse and misuse
What advice do you often give Fellows or would you give to junior developers?
I want to plug my favorite brewery, Kato Sake Works in Bushwick. One evening, I struck up a conversation with a stranger. Our discussion eventually made its way to the tech industry, coding bootcamps, and programs. It turned out he was a Pursuit alum who graduated from the program back in 2020. We spoke at length about his time at Pursuit, and while he ultimately found success outside of the tech industry, some of his closest relationships continue to be those from his time in Pursuit.
This is a roundabout way of saying—remember to nurture the relationships within your community. Networking doesn’t always have to be about professional development. In challenging times, find support in your community and take what you need, and in times of success, give back what you can.
What’s one thing — either work-related or not — you learned in the last month?
I recently learned that the world's smallest Costco is in Juneau, Alaska! Also, you're more likely to be attacked by a moose than by a bear—so that’s technically two things. I actually just got back from a trip to Alaska, and it was beautiful. I was able to see the northern lights and even spotted a few whales, both of which were on my bucket list.
Is there a particular philosophy or guiding principle you live by that’s shaped your career and personal decisions
Something that's been a constant for me is continuing to find ways to nurture a childlike sense of curiosity, whether it's learning new things, going down the rabbit hole of a new hobby, or meeting and talking to strangers. It’s easy to get bogged down in all the noise, now more than ever, so any moment for awe and wonder is priceless.
