HTML All The Things · 2026-08-04 · 49 min
Before becoming an engineering manager, Mike spent nearly two years washing dishes and another five working as a line cook. The jobs may seem completely unrelated to software development, but the lessons he learned in the kitchen continue to shape how he handles pressure, leads developers, and solves problems today. In this episode, Matt and Mike discuss how early jobs outside of tech can prepare you for a career in development. They explore thriving in chaotic situations, matching people with the right responsibilities, cross-training team members, paying attention to details, and finding the motivation to keep learning. They also share how factory and kitchen work taught them what they wanted from their careers - and what they never wanted to return to. Show Notes: Use our Scrimba affiliate link ( ) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.
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