Mike Chen
@chenmike.com
👨💻 CTO and Co-Founder of Motivo
🏠 Dad of 2
💼 Prev: Airbnb, Wealthfront, Google
mikechen.io
🏠 Dad of 2
💼 Prev: Airbnb, Wealthfront, Google
mikechen.io
Pinned
Mike Chen
@chenmike.com
· Nov 25
I send the same 5 blog posts to pretty much every new software engineer I mentor.
They're all articles I wish I'd read when I started my career, about salary, priorities, and decision-making.
Sharing here in case they're helpful: 🧵
They're all articles I wish I'd read when I started my career, about salary, priorities, and decision-making.
Sharing here in case they're helpful: 🧵
Reposted by Mike Chen
Just got off a call with THE Mike Chen.
Can confirm, not a coffee chat dud. hahaha JKJK
Great "meeting" you finally!!
PS my parents shut the air off upstairs and i'm DYING.
@chenmike.com
#careerswitcher #techcommunity
Can confirm, not a coffee chat dud. hahaha JKJK
Great "meeting" you finally!!
PS my parents shut the air off upstairs and i'm DYING.
@chenmike.com
#careerswitcher #techcommunity
June 18, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Just got off a call with THE Mike Chen.
Can confirm, not a coffee chat dud. hahaha JKJK
Great "meeting" you finally!!
PS my parents shut the air off upstairs and i'm DYING.
@chenmike.com
#careerswitcher #techcommunity
Can confirm, not a coffee chat dud. hahaha JKJK
Great "meeting" you finally!!
PS my parents shut the air off upstairs and i'm DYING.
@chenmike.com
#careerswitcher #techcommunity
Reposted by Mike Chen
Loved the convos this past week on nickyt.live with @chenmike.com. Here’s a short where Mike talks about using AI in his development workflow.
Thanks again for hanging!
youtube.com/shorts/f06d2...
Thanks again for hanging!
youtube.com/shorts/f06d2...
From Individual Contributor to CTO with Mike Chen
YouTube video by Nick Taylor
youtube.com
January 11, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Loved the convos this past week on nickyt.live with @chenmike.com. Here’s a short where Mike talks about using AI in his development workflow.
Thanks again for hanging!
youtube.com/shorts/f06d2...
Thanks again for hanging!
youtube.com/shorts/f06d2...
Reposted by Mike Chen
And we're live! Come hang with @chenmike.com and me as we discuss their path from individual contributor, to engineering manager to CTO!
From Individual Contributor to CTO
Mike Chen, CTO at Motivo, joins Nick Taylor to discuss their path from individual contributor (IC), to engineering manager, to CTO.
buff.ly
January 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM
And we're live! Come hang with @chenmike.com and me as we discuss their path from individual contributor, to engineering manager to CTO!
Excited to chat with @nickyt.online tomorrow about my journey from IC -> manager -> CTO
Planning to talk about all the adjustments I had to make along the way to be successful in each new role
Hope you can join us!
Planning to talk about all the adjustments I had to make along the way to be successful in each new role
Hope you can join us!
Looking forward to chatting with @mikechen.io this Wednesday. Come hang as we dig in to going from an individual contributor (IC), to engineering manager to CTO!
https://buff.ly/3PozAaf
https://buff.ly/3PozAaf
January 7, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Excited to chat with @nickyt.online tomorrow about my journey from IC -> manager -> CTO
Planning to talk about all the adjustments I had to make along the way to be successful in each new role
Hope you can join us!
Planning to talk about all the adjustments I had to make along the way to be successful in each new role
Hope you can join us!
Reposted by Mike Chen
🎊 Happy New Year!
I discovered a lot of very cool dev stuff in 2024, from libraries to devtools to educational resources. Thought it’d be fun to share them all, to help kickstart your 2025!
Let’s go through the list. 🧵
I discovered a lot of very cool dev stuff in 2024, from libraries to devtools to educational resources. Thought it’d be fun to share them all, to help kickstart your 2025!
Let’s go through the list. 🧵
January 1, 2025 at 5:12 PM
🎊 Happy New Year!
I discovered a lot of very cool dev stuff in 2024, from libraries to devtools to educational resources. Thought it’d be fun to share them all, to help kickstart your 2025!
Let’s go through the list. 🧵
I discovered a lot of very cool dev stuff in 2024, from libraries to devtools to educational resources. Thought it’d be fun to share them all, to help kickstart your 2025!
Let’s go through the list. 🧵
Was very excited to see this amazing piece of work by @samwho.dev come together
It's always so impressive to see people take a pretty academic topic like Turing machines and make them so accessible. Awesome visualizations and writing. Well done!
It's always so impressive to see people take a pretty academic topic like Turing machines and make them so accessible. Awesome visualizations and writing. Well done!
What does it mean for something to be Turing complete?
I answer this question, and more, through a series of fully interactive Turing machine simulations! Play, pause, step forwards and backwards, and even write your own Turing machine programs in my latest blog post.
samwho.dev/turing-machi...
I answer this question, and more, through a series of fully interactive Turing machine simulations! Play, pause, step forwards and backwards, and even write your own Turing machine programs in my latest blog post.
samwho.dev/turing-machi...
December 21, 2024 at 1:12 AM
Was very excited to see this amazing piece of work by @samwho.dev come together
It's always so impressive to see people take a pretty academic topic like Turing machines and make them so accessible. Awesome visualizations and writing. Well done!
It's always so impressive to see people take a pretty academic topic like Turing machines and make them so accessible. Awesome visualizations and writing. Well done!
Reposted by Mike Chen
A Christmas Hackathon!
The Let's Get Technical Discord group is partaking in a holiday hackathon. They're taking a break from the Gridiron Survivor apprenticeship program to do something relaxing and fun.
The Let's Get Technical Discord group is partaking in a holiday hackathon. They're taking a break from the Gridiron Survivor apprenticeship program to do something relaxing and fun.
December 17, 2024 at 9:56 PM
A Christmas Hackathon!
The Let's Get Technical Discord group is partaking in a holiday hackathon. They're taking a break from the Gridiron Survivor apprenticeship program to do something relaxing and fun.
The Let's Get Technical Discord group is partaking in a holiday hackathon. They're taking a break from the Gridiron Survivor apprenticeship program to do something relaxing and fun.
Same to @nickyt.online, had a great time chatting today, one of the nicest people in the community!
Love his streams, brings in lots of different people about interesting web dev topics. Check it out when you get the chance nickyt.live
Love his streams, brings in lots of different people about interesting web dev topics. Check it out when you get the chance nickyt.live
December 16, 2024 at 10:15 PM
Same to @nickyt.online, had a great time chatting today, one of the nicest people in the community!
Love his streams, brings in lots of different people about interesting web dev topics. Check it out when you get the chance nickyt.live
Love his streams, brings in lots of different people about interesting web dev topics. Check it out when you get the chance nickyt.live
This is such a unique way to learn about history — an interactive map showing historical borders, battles, and people of note
One of the most interesting things I've seen on the internet in awhile
www.oldmapsonline.org/en/history/r...
One of the most interesting things I've seen on the internet in awhile
www.oldmapsonline.org/en/history/r...
TimeMap.org - World History Atlas
The easy-to-use getaway to historical maps in libraries around the world.
www.oldmapsonline.org
December 13, 2024 at 4:54 AM
This is such a unique way to learn about history — an interactive map showing historical borders, battles, and people of note
One of the most interesting things I've seen on the internet in awhile
www.oldmapsonline.org/en/history/r...
One of the most interesting things I've seen on the internet in awhile
www.oldmapsonline.org/en/history/r...
terriblesoftware.org/2024/12/04/t...
Great read for new managers or anyone thinking about becoming one.
Sums it up well:
"Success for you is as simple as asking yourself two questions:
1. Is my team shipping?
2. Are they happy?
If the answer is “yes” to both, don’t worry; you’re crushing it. 🎉"
Great read for new managers or anyone thinking about becoming one.
Sums it up well:
"Success for you is as simple as asking yourself two questions:
1. Is my team shipping?
2. Are they happy?
If the answer is “yes” to both, don’t worry; you’re crushing it. 🎉"
The 6 Mistakes You’re Going to Make as a New Manager
Transitioning from an individual contributor to a manager is tough but rewarding. The key is to delegate, find new sources of fulfillment, focus on quality over quantity, maintain proper engagement…
terriblesoftware.org
December 8, 2024 at 12:19 AM
terriblesoftware.org/2024/12/04/t...
Great read for new managers or anyone thinking about becoming one.
Sums it up well:
"Success for you is as simple as asking yourself two questions:
1. Is my team shipping?
2. Are they happy?
If the answer is “yes” to both, don’t worry; you’re crushing it. 🎉"
Great read for new managers or anyone thinking about becoming one.
Sums it up well:
"Success for you is as simple as asking yourself two questions:
1. Is my team shipping?
2. Are they happy?
If the answer is “yes” to both, don’t worry; you’re crushing it. 🎉"
Reposted by Mike Chen
This is a really great starter pack - I found a few people from the old site I didn’t have yet.
go.bsky.app/3b9A8JY
go.bsky.app/3b9A8JY
December 7, 2024 at 4:45 AM
This is a really great starter pack - I found a few people from the old site I didn’t have yet.
go.bsky.app/3b9A8JY
go.bsky.app/3b9A8JY
TL;DR to this thread, > 2/3s of the responses say they're still using Client-Side Rendering at work, despite so much conversation around Server-Side Rendering and React Server Components
A really good reminder that what gets talked about most in tech circles doesn't always reflect market realities
A really good reminder that what gets talked about most in tech circles doesn't always reflect market realities
What kind of React app do you get paid to work on (not hobby projects)?
- CSR, no SSR
- Isomorphic SSR
- RSC
Again, if you don’t use React at a paid gig, don’t reply. If you maintain multiple, reply with the one that makes the most money (the product, not yourself)
- CSR, no SSR
- Isomorphic SSR
- RSC
Again, if you don’t use React at a paid gig, don’t reply. If you maintain multiple, reply with the one that makes the most money (the product, not yourself)
December 1, 2024 at 8:10 PM
TL;DR to this thread, > 2/3s of the responses say they're still using Client-Side Rendering at work, despite so much conversation around Server-Side Rendering and React Server Components
A really good reminder that what gets talked about most in tech circles doesn't always reflect market realities
A really good reminder that what gets talked about most in tech circles doesn't always reflect market realities
Happy "Sign Up For All The 'Advent of ____' Coding Challenges Day" for those who celebrate!
November 30, 2024 at 7:03 PM
Happy "Sign Up For All The 'Advent of ____' Coding Challenges Day" for those who celebrate!
Reposted by Mike Chen
The conference badges are here!
It may seem small but it feels like I have climbed several massive mountains to get to this point.
I've never been more proud to be here. The Week of the conference!
Are you coming to hang out with YOUR community?
#CommitYourCode
It may seem small but it feels like I have climbed several massive mountains to get to this point.
I've never been more proud to be here. The Week of the conference!
Are you coming to hang out with YOUR community?
#CommitYourCode
November 30, 2024 at 3:59 AM
The conference badges are here!
It may seem small but it feels like I have climbed several massive mountains to get to this point.
I've never been more proud to be here. The Week of the conference!
Are you coming to hang out with YOUR community?
#CommitYourCode
It may seem small but it feels like I have climbed several massive mountains to get to this point.
I've never been more proud to be here. The Week of the conference!
Are you coming to hang out with YOUR community?
#CommitYourCode
Reposted by Mike Chen
the internet sucks in part because no one makes their own personal websites anymore aftermath.site/website-musk...
For Love of God, Make Your Own Website - Aftermath
The internet felt like a limitless expanse of free expression. Now I usually end up at the same three or four websites.
aftermath.site
November 27, 2024 at 5:15 PM
the internet sucks in part because no one makes their own personal websites anymore aftermath.site/website-musk...
Josh's courses are on the shortlist I feel comfortable recommending to all frontend engineers.
I've been doing this 14 years and I still learned a bunch from both courses.
Even if you're a senior engineer and know everything (unlikely), you'll learn a lot about how to mentor and teach effectively.
I've been doing this 14 years and I still learned a bunch from both courses.
Even if you're a senior engineer and know everything (unlikely), you'll learn a lot about how to mentor and teach effectively.
🏠 I’m having an Open House!
This has become a bit of a tradition for me. Every Black Friday, I select a couple of lessons from my courses and make them public for a few days. This way, potential students can test-drive the content and see if it’s a good fit for them!
The doors have just opened. 😄
This has become a bit of a tradition for me. Every Black Friday, I select a couple of lessons from my courses and make them public for a few days. This way, potential students can test-drive the content and see if it’s a good fit for them!
The doors have just opened. 😄
Introduction • The Joy of React
Welcome, prospective student! This small collection of lessons is designed to give you a feel for my teaching style, and the way the content is structured. I hope it helps give you a sense of what the...
courses.joshwcomeau.com
November 27, 2024 at 11:48 PM
Josh's courses are on the shortlist I feel comfortable recommending to all frontend engineers.
I've been doing this 14 years and I still learned a bunch from both courses.
Even if you're a senior engineer and know everything (unlikely), you'll learn a lot about how to mentor and teach effectively.
I've been doing this 14 years and I still learned a bunch from both courses.
Even if you're a senior engineer and know everything (unlikely), you'll learn a lot about how to mentor and teach effectively.
I always tell new engineers to be cautious when using AI for code gen.
Even worse than sneaking trash into your code, it hampers your learning. IMO it's hard to learn how to code if you're not typing code into your IDE.
I highly encourage asking the AI questions though, that's an amazing use case.
Even worse than sneaking trash into your code, it hampers your learning. IMO it's hard to learn how to code if you're not typing code into your IDE.
I highly encourage asking the AI questions though, that's an amazing use case.
AI arguments? Is this really a hot take?
Learning to code in 2025 and beyond, I guess I will say this until someone can change my mind.
Learning to code in 2025 and beyond, I guess I will say this until someone can change my mind.
November 27, 2024 at 6:50 PM
I always tell new engineers to be cautious when using AI for code gen.
Even worse than sneaking trash into your code, it hampers your learning. IMO it's hard to learn how to code if you're not typing code into your IDE.
I highly encourage asking the AI questions though, that's an amazing use case.
Even worse than sneaking trash into your code, it hampers your learning. IMO it's hard to learn how to code if you're not typing code into your IDE.
I highly encourage asking the AI questions though, that's an amazing use case.
Felt a little overwhelmed on the last day of work before holiday and remembered the time I got personally mocked by an NPC in Sea of Stars
November 27, 2024 at 1:48 AM
Felt a little overwhelmed on the last day of work before holiday and remembered the time I got personally mocked by an NPC in Sea of Stars
A small change I've made when taking tutorials that's massively improved my retention:
Instead of building anything along with the instructor, I just watch, then try building it after from memory. I refer to the tutorial when needed
Something to consider if you're buying courses this Black Friday
Instead of building anything along with the instructor, I just watch, then try building it after from memory. I refer to the tutorial when needed
Something to consider if you're buying courses this Black Friday
November 26, 2024 at 5:27 PM
A small change I've made when taking tutorials that's massively improved my retention:
Instead of building anything along with the instructor, I just watch, then try building it after from memory. I refer to the tutorial when needed
Something to consider if you're buying courses this Black Friday
Instead of building anything along with the instructor, I just watch, then try building it after from memory. I refer to the tutorial when needed
Something to consider if you're buying courses this Black Friday
I can’t believe we have another month of getting dark earlier whose idea was this?
November 26, 2024 at 12:38 AM
I can’t believe we have another month of getting dark earlier whose idea was this?
I send the same 5 blog posts to pretty much every new software engineer I mentor.
They're all articles I wish I'd read when I started my career, about salary, priorities, and decision-making.
Sharing here in case they're helpful: 🧵
They're all articles I wish I'd read when I started my career, about salary, priorities, and decision-making.
Sharing here in case they're helpful: 🧵
November 25, 2024 at 5:35 PM
I send the same 5 blog posts to pretty much every new software engineer I mentor.
They're all articles I wish I'd read when I started my career, about salary, priorities, and decision-making.
Sharing here in case they're helpful: 🧵
They're all articles I wish I'd read when I started my career, about salary, priorities, and decision-making.
Sharing here in case they're helpful: 🧵
I love seeing that blogging on personal websites is THRIVING.
I was thinking of starting to write again on Substack, but I’m convinced how much better it is to dust off my website.
So much more effective for allowing personality to shine through and communicating using the full power of the web.
I was thinking of starting to write again on Substack, but I’m convinced how much better it is to dust off my website.
So much more effective for allowing personality to shine through and communicating using the full power of the web.
November 24, 2024 at 8:01 PM
I love seeing that blogging on personal websites is THRIVING.
I was thinking of starting to write again on Substack, but I’m convinced how much better it is to dust off my website.
So much more effective for allowing personality to shine through and communicating using the full power of the web.
I was thinking of starting to write again on Substack, but I’m convinced how much better it is to dust off my website.
So much more effective for allowing personality to shine through and communicating using the full power of the web.
Loved this write-up of the debugging process for a complex problem:
1. Develop hypotheses about the issue's root cause
2. Eliminate potential issues one at a time by making changes/copying working examples and seeing if the issue persists
Worth a read if you're working on your debugging skills!
1. Develop hypotheses about the issue's root cause
2. Eliminate potential issues one at a time by making changes/copying working examples and seeing if the issue persists
Worth a read if you're working on your debugging skills!
😱 Not so short JS horror story:
githero.app was performing really badly when using the back button in the browser. The whole app was refreshing. Initially I thought I was doing something wrong but quickly saw that it could only be that the routing library was not listening to the popstate event.
githero.app was performing really badly when using the back button in the browser. The whole app was refreshing. Initially I thought I was doing something wrong but quickly saw that it could only be that the routing library was not listening to the popstate event.
November 23, 2024 at 6:45 PM
Loved this write-up of the debugging process for a complex problem:
1. Develop hypotheses about the issue's root cause
2. Eliminate potential issues one at a time by making changes/copying working examples and seeing if the issue persists
Worth a read if you're working on your debugging skills!
1. Develop hypotheses about the issue's root cause
2. Eliminate potential issues one at a time by making changes/copying working examples and seeing if the issue persists
Worth a read if you're working on your debugging skills!
Any time you ask someone for help, they're wondering:
• How much work will this be?
• Will this person respect my time?
• Am I going to have to hold their hand?
They ask these questions even if they like helping people!
Show them you're willing to help yourself first.
• How much work will this be?
• Will this person respect my time?
• Am I going to have to hold their hand?
They ask these questions even if they like helping people!
Show them you're willing to help yourself first.
I be getting so tight when someone is like “if you know of any roles that would be good for me, reach out”
You dont want a job. LOL cuz why do other ppl have to do the work for you?
You dont want a job. LOL cuz why do other ppl have to do the work for you?
November 23, 2024 at 5:57 PM
Any time you ask someone for help, they're wondering:
• How much work will this be?
• Will this person respect my time?
• Am I going to have to hold their hand?
They ask these questions even if they like helping people!
Show them you're willing to help yourself first.
• How much work will this be?
• Will this person respect my time?
• Am I going to have to hold their hand?
They ask these questions even if they like helping people!
Show them you're willing to help yourself first.