We recently connected with Kevin Liao and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kevin, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
I’ve pursued various aspirations throughout my life, from excelling as a clarinetist in middle school to dreaming of becoming a polyglot. Each ambition taught me the value of diligence and discipline. However, my most transformative journey began when I decided to study computer science in college and later took the leap to build my professional brand.
Coming into college, I felt unprepared for the challenges ahead. My high school GPA and SAT scores barely secured my admission to the school’s computer science program, and I mentally prepared myself for rigorous coursework. Despite setbacks like challenge projects and disappointing exam grades, I pushed through while coping with another looming priority: internships.
Unlike many peers, I didn’t focus on career development until sophomore year, which left me feeling overwhelmed. With no guidance from my courses, I sought advice from peers, joined tech communities, and taught myself the essentials of writing a resume, optimizing LinkedIn, and preparing for coding interviews. These efforts culminated in landing a software engineering internship at a notable corporation, which inspired me to give back by sharing my journey.
Building a personal brand on LinkedIn felt daunting at first. The idea that anyone, from peers to future employers, could see my posts was intimidating. However, I saw it as an opportunity to grow. I began sharing insights on landing internships, crafting resumes, and preparing for interviews. Over time, posting consistently helped me connect with thousands of professionals, leading to speaking engagements, mentoring opportunities, and even recognition as a top voice in my field.
What began as a risk outside my comfort zone transformed into a platform where I could inspire others. Today, with over 23,000 LinkedIn followers, I’m grateful for the connections I’ve made and the opportunities that have come my way. Looking back, taking the risk to study computer science and build my personal brand taught me that the greatest rewards often come from embracing the unknown.
Kevin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I recently graduated from the University of Maryland, College, Park, with a degree in computer science. Over the past year, I’ve passionately shared my journey in tech and career tips on LinkedIn, offering advice on landing software engineering internships and transitioning into full-time roles. I’ve also had the privilege of serving as a Career Peer at CodePath, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing diversity in tech. In this role, I’ve provided tailored resume and LinkedIn feedback to hundreds of students, guided them through job search strategies, and spoken at webinars on succeeding in internships and technical interviews.
My path into tech wasn’t straightforward. When I started exploring early career opportunities as a sophomore, I faced challenges like crafting a strong resume, building a professional network, and preparing for coding interviews. Through self-reflection, learning from books, and connecting with others, I gained invaluable insights, fueling my passion for helping others navigate similar challenges.
Beyond my work with CodePath, I freelance via Topmate, offering personalized guidance on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and career strategies to empower individuals in their job search. As I prepare to begin my full-time role as a software engineer at Capital One in February 2025, I remain committed to supporting the tech community. My goal is to share my experiences, lessons learned, and practical advice to inspire and empower the next generation of tech talent.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
In the past year, I’ve been very passionate about sharing my journey to inspire others, showing that with hard work and discipline, a career in tech is achievable. By openly sharing insights on resume building, networking strategies, and interview preparation, I’ve established my credibility for those navigating the job market.
A key factor in building my reputation has been saying yes to impactful opportunities. Delivering workshops on effective job search strategies and participating in panels about navigating early career opportunities have not only increased my visibility but also positioned me as a credible voice in the tech community.
As my reputation grew, so did my network, introducing me to peers and mentors, including experienced software engineers whose guidance has been invaluable. Furthermore, my role as a Career Peer at CodePath, a non-profit committed to increasing diversity in tech, allowed me to provide tailored advice to hundreds of students. The positive feedback I’ve received, such as helping one student secure four summer 2024 software engineering internships, further solidifies the impacts of my contributions.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
During my freshman and sophomore years, I adapted rigorous habits to meet the demands of my coursework, waking up at 4:30 a.m., studying from dawn to dusk, and meticulously planning my days using a Google Doc to prioritize tasks and track how much time I spent on each. This discipline allowed me to master time management and consistently meet deadlines, even as I tackled challenging subjects.
However, my journey required significant sacrifices, including my social life and personal happiness at times. While some peers grasped concepts faster or excelled at tests, I recognized early on that those weren’t my strengths. To bridge the gap, I devoted extra time to understanding course material and preparing for exams, ensuring I could reach the same level of performance.
As I transitioned into my upperclassman years, the focus shifted from academics to my career. Unlike high school, where I was more laid back about grades and test scores, I saw college as my chance to excel. My goal was to land a big tech internship that could lead to a full-time role.
The turning point came after my sophomore year, where I interned as a software engineer at a financial firm. It was my first paid position, and while it was exciting, it was also overwhelming. I had to quickly adapt to workplace norms like etiquette and the importance of visibility – concepts not taught in school.
At the same time, I was applying for internships for the following summer – a process that began surprisingly early. Balancing my internship, a rigorous data structures and algorithms course, and job applications stretched me to my limits. Despite feeling overwhelmed, I persevered. I knew the tech job market was tough, but I also knew the only way forward was to keep going.
When classes resumed, the pressure didn’t let up. Applying for internships felt like a full-time job on top of my studies, but all the late nights and early mornings paid off. By fall, I had secured my dream software engineering internship – a moment that validated all my hard work and sacrifices.
