The Uber Career Prep (UCP) program has truly marked a transformative chapter in my journey over the past seven months. As an international student stepping into the competitive tech industry, I was a mix of eagerness and apprehension. I questioned which skills were most valued and how to mold my academic foundation to meet the rigorous demands of real-world software engineering. UCP became the invaluable bridge I needed, connecting theoretical knowledge with practical expertise, and I am deeply grateful to have been part of the 2023 cohort of this prestigious fellows program.
The journey to becoming a fellow was competitive, starting with over 2,000 applicants from across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. From this large pool, 80 were invited for interviews, and ultimately, only 50 were accepted into the program – an exclusive 2.3% acceptance rate. Being selected was a significant honor, and I still vividly recall the surge of excitement upon receiving my acceptance email in the Rice Library. This initial thrill propelled me through every challenge and triumph throughout the program.
UCP’s Vision: Beyond Just Coding Skills
The 2023 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program was designed with a clear vision that extended beyond a typical coding course. The primary objective was to maximize our potential impact in future software engineering roles and cultivate us into industry leaders. This intensive seven-month fellowship emphasized not only honing technical skills but also fostering a crucial understanding of failure as an integral part of learning and growth. This approach was essential in building resilience, a vital trait in the dynamic and fast-paced tech environment.
Immersive Workshops and Dedicated Mentorship
Throughout the 2023 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program, we engaged in five comprehensive workshops, meticulously structured to cover technical and behavioral interview best practices, effective communication strategies, design documentation, core engineering competencies, and the realities of real-world software development. These workshops addressed elements critical for thriving as a software engineer in the tech industry. A particularly impactful aspect for me was Uber’s deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), embodied in their powerful motto: “Weave equity into the way the world moves.” This dedication to inclusive design—creating products that are thoughtfully developed to respect every individual’s identity and experiences—resonated strongly with my values. It became evident how central DEI is to Uber’s success and how it fundamentally shapes both their products and organizational culture.
The program also provided invaluable personalized guidance through four mock interviews and regular one-on-one mentorship sessions with experienced Uber software engineers. I was incredibly fortunate to be mentored by Justin Phan, whose generosity in sharing his extensive knowledge and industry insights was truly remarkable. During our fourteen individual sessions, I felt comfortable asking any question, from seeking feedback on mock interviews and navigating challenging homework assignments to inquiring about Justin’s own professional journey at Uber. Complementing these sessions were four “mock” mock interviews with Justin, each designed to rigorously sharpen my coding proficiency and communication skills, essential for any aspiring software engineer.
Adding to the rich learning environment were technical workshops and office hours led by Emma Ziegellaub Eichler, whose contagious passion for algorithms and teaching was truly inspiring. Her workshops went beyond simply teaching algorithmic thinking; they ignited a deeper love for problem-solving within me. I made it a point to attend every office hour session, eager to absorb her expertise on complex topics like memoization and topological sorting. Emma’s enthusiastic approach and willingness to share her wisdom made each session feel like a valuable opportunity.
Key Achievements and Personal Growth
One of the most significant achievements I gained from participating in the 2023 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program was substantial growth in algorithmic thinking and implementation skills, crucial for any software engineer. The homework assignments were carefully crafted to promote deep learning. Rather than overwhelming us with a broad range of random questions, UCP’s assignments focused on strengthening our understanding of fundamental data structures and basic algorithms. We were challenged to implement core structures such as binary search trees, heaps, tries, singly and doubly linked lists, and queues before tackling specific algorithmic problems. To solidify my learning, I committed to repeating each homework problem three times throughout the program. This dedicated practice significantly improved my mock interview performance, culminating in “Double Thumbs Up” ratings on two separate occasions. This progress stands as a clear indicator of the program’s effective structure and the immense benefit of consistent, focused practice.
Beyond technical expertise, I gained invaluable problem-solving methodologies. UCP taught me the importance of breaking down complex problems into manageable parts and to confidently seek help when needed – a critical skill applicable not only in software engineering but in all aspects of life. The workshops encouraged frequent self-reflection on how to maximize my impact and approach challenges and setbacks with a growth-oriented mindset.
Perhaps most profoundly, I found a strong alignment with Uber’s company culture, especially its emphasis on inclusive design and a proactive, “go-get-it” attitude. The principle of weaving equity into the world’s movement is more than just a slogan at Uber; it is deeply ingrained in the company’s operational ethos, which I found incredibly inspiring. A workshop led by Oona King, Uber’s Chief DEI Officer, left a lasting impression, offering invaluable insights on celebrating achievements, not internalizing setbacks, and maintaining a balanced perspective in both professional and personal life.
Building Lasting Professional Relationships
The relationships formed during the 2023 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program are among its most rewarding outcomes. I had the privilege of connecting with remarkable individuals, including my mentor Justin, various panelists, Uber engineers, and my fellow cohort members, each contributing uniquely to my growth as a future software engineer. I am particularly grateful to Zach Singleton, the program’s founder, for his motivational speeches that consistently inspired us, and to Julia Alberts, MPA, the program’s staff manager, whose meticulous organization ensured the program’s smooth operation and overall success.
Additionally, I extend my appreciation to Anne-Marie Freeman, whose energy and recruiting expertise were invaluable, as well as Yara Radwan and Luis Filipe Sales, who led several workshops and provided essential technical interview guidance. Finally, Jacquelyn Villena and Emma Ziegellaub Eichler were instrumental in facilitating and leading technical workshops, offering continuous support throughout our learning journey.
The Journey Forward: Continuing the Momentum
Although the 2023 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program is concluding, it genuinely feels like just the beginning. Despite being a virtual program with participants spread across various time zones, I never experienced a sense of disconnection. Julia and the entire team ensured we remained engaged, consistently sharing resources, contact information, and post-workshop materials, which helped maintain a strong connection to the knowledge we acquired. Even now, as UCP alumni, we continue to network actively through a dedicated LinkedIn alumni group, and I am confident that the relationships I have built during this time will extend far into my future career as a software engineer.
Reflecting on my experience, it’s challenging to fully articulate the profound impact of this program. I have significantly enhanced my technical capabilities, sharpened my problem-solving skills, and, most importantly, gained a clearer understanding of my place and potential in the tech world. Inspired by the program, I now aspire to contribute back to this community that has given me so much. Witnessing UCP alumni leading workshops was truly inspiring, and I hope to one day have the opportunity to pay it forward, supporting the growth of future cohorts of aspiring software engineers.
Ultimately, the 2023 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program has been about much more than just algorithms and coding. It’s been about cultivating leadership qualities, learning to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success, and developing the essential mindset needed to thrive in my career and in life. I am deeply appreciative of the program, every individual involved, and the invaluable new friends and mentors I’ve gained along the way.
Returning to Uber for Summer 2025
These intensive workshops and mentorship sessions were strategically designed not only to refine our software engineering skills but also as a direct investment by Uber in our potential. They were preparing us to return as highly skilled software engineers, ready to make a meaningful impact. Our performance throughout the 2023 Uber Career Prep Fellows Program, combined with the final conversion interviews, provided us with the incredible opportunity to return to Uber next summer as official software engineering interns! I am thrilled and incredibly proud to announce that I was among those selected, and I eagerly anticipate meeting all these wonderful people in person for the first time at Uber’s offices!
Final Reflections
Exactly one year prior, during the Fall 2022 semester at Rice University, I undertook a venture capital course where I chose Uber as the focus of my research paper. I analyzed its market size, business model, competitive landscape, and financial performance. I was astonished by the substantial growth this relatively young, 15-year-old company had achieved. Despite its current global success, back in August 2008, the concept of a “next-generation car service” was simply a slideshow presentation on founder Garrett Camp’s computer.
At that time, could I have ever imagined that just one year later, I would be completing such a transformative program at Uber and connecting with such a welcoming and brilliant community? And that two years later, I would be joining this pioneering company in a software engineering role that I am genuinely passionate about?
I often reflect on Steve Jobs’ insightful quote from his 2005 Stanford Commencement speech: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”
For me, I can now clearly see how my previous academic, leadership, and technical experiences have converged. I have been guided by faith, family, mentors, and friends, proactively and passionately creating new “dots” with gratitude. I am confident that these dedicated efforts will prove fruitful, and all the dots will ultimately connect to form a meaningful path, perhaps with some curves, but always leading towards my intended destiny in software engineering.
I am excited to see what the future holds! While the specifics remain unknown, I am confident that when opportunities arise, I will be ready to –
GO GET IT!
