Alice Chang, Staff Software Engineer at LinkedIn

Meet Alice, a Staff Software Engineer at LinkedIn who shares how mentorship and advocating for herself have shaped her career. From navigating a male-dominated field to mentoring others and embracing her creative side, Alice reminds us that growth comes from curiosity, confidence and being yourself.

1) What is the last thing you were curious about? 

Videography! Recently I’ve been getting into video capturing and editing. I don’t always begin with a project in mind. Instead I capture little moments in life as a memory and they may become footage for a project later on.

2) We’re a non-profit focused on empowering women. Could you share which significant female figures (role models, mentors, etc.) have impacted your career and how they’ve shaped who you are today?

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have several impactful mentors. My parents have been a huge source of support, constantly encouraging me to excel in both school and work to achieve financial independence. My current manager at LinkedIn has also shown me how to be an effective ally for women in tech by modeling inclusive leadership and helping me learn to speak up and navigate difficult conversations. Their guidance and support have truly made a significant difference in my professional growth.

3) Can you tell us what you do as a Staff Software Engineer at LinkedIn for those who are unfamiliar?

I’m a Staff Software Engineer at LinkedIn on the Hiring Platform Team. We build an end to end platform to support all LinkedIn Talent Solutions products such as our enterprise product Recruiter. A Staff Software Engineer is a senior technical role considered to be mid to late career. Specifically in my role, I design and architect complex software systems, mentor junior/mid-level engineers, and collaborate with product managers and stakeholders. I also influence technical directions in my team and upkeep code quality through code/design reviews.

4) What’s your advice for women who're interested in breaking into Software Engineering?

The job market has changed quite a bit since I was a new grad, so I can’t guarantee that what worked for me will work today. However, some key pieces of advice remain relevant:

• Build your network and surround yourself with allies. Find people with the same goals to share resources and people in companies you’re interested in who can provide you with referrals.

• Look for apprenticeship programs in mid to large-sized tech companies. They tend to have more developed programs for women and other underrepresented groups who are looking to break into software engineering.

• Study and interview smart - Do mock interviews and don’t rush to pay for interview prep courses online. You can find a lot of the common interview concepts for free online! Practice interviewing with companies you’re not as interested in before interviewing with your top choices.

5) From attending the Grace Hopper Celebration to landing a job at LinkedIn right out of college, what motivated you to attend the conference? Looking back, is there anything you did that you believe made you stand out as a candidate?

The Grace Hopper Celebration is the largest tech conference for women. I attended back in 2015 as an attendee and several times since then to help recruit and as a speaker. As for what made me stand out as a candidate, I started talking to companies before the conference and let them know that I will be attending GHC. This ensured I had interviews already scheduled by the time the conference started and was key to me landing 3 job offers from the conference. If interested, I also have an article on best tips to prepare for GHC conference: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-get-most-out-your-grace-hopper-conference-experience-alice-chang/

6) In the early stages of your career, during internships like your SDE role at Amazon and your first full-time position at LinkedIn, how did you approach 1:1s with mentors and managers? How did your approach evolve from your internship to your first full-time role, and how has it changed since then? 

The biggest advice I received from my mentors is to “manage up”. Come to mentorship/1:1 sessions with an agenda. Prepare specific questions or updates to make the most of the time. For more senior engineers, my advice is whenever there is a problem, come to the meeting with options instead of asking your manager what to do. For example, if a project is running late, suggest what needs to be escalated, whether resource or deadline adjustments are needed, and outline different solutions for a redesign along with their tradeoffs.

7) As a woman in a traditionally male dominated field, how have you navigated stereotypes about women in your industry and what advice would you give to other women who may be facing similar challenges? 

In my earlier days I struggled to be authentically myself at work because I was always self conscious about the way I appeared to others in the room and felt constant pressure to “prove” myself. Since growing my career, the advice I would give young women is to speak with confidence and always take a seat at the table. Additionally, try not to get trapped into doing non-promotable work (setting up the team happy hour or taking notes) and don’t be afraid to ask questions. 

8) Aside from your 9-5, you also run a small business and have many other intriguing hobbies. Are there any important lessons that you’ve learned as a small business owner that you have applied to your work as a Staff SWE? 

I own an online sticker shop of punny tech stickers and here are some of the lessons I’ve learned: automate repetitive tasks, regularly conduct A/B tests, and find a niche to own. Just like in software development, we aim to offload any mundane tasks through automation, test new features before launching, and develop expertise in a specific area. These principles also apply to my business. For example, I automate all email/communications, frequently test the popularity of new designs on samples before placing bulk orders, and I’ve identified a niche in the market with less competition and a targeted audience. 

9) What strategies have you used to effectively advocate for yourself in the workplace? You’ve been at LinkedIn for about 9 years now and transitioned teams three times, how did you seek those opportunities? What advice can you share to help others navigate these conversations with confidence? 

When I switch teams, I typically evaluate three key factors: the project, the manager, and the team. Additionally, moving between teams within the same company is an excellent way to grow without the need for external interviews. The internal switch allows you to gather diverse perspectives from team members by reaching out through the company directory, whereas external hires often face more difficulty connecting with potential teammates. I also recommend talking to colleagues on other teams within the organization and staying open to new opportunities whenever you feel that the current combination of project, management, and team no longer aligns with your personal or professional needs.

10) Is there anything else you'd like to share—whether it's a personal insight, a lesson learned, or something you've experienced—that hasn't come up yet in the questions?

Recently, I made the decision to take a career break to focus on my mental health and personal well-being. It was a challenging choice, but I’ve come to realize how important it is to prioritize self-care. This break has given me the space to recharge, reflect, and gain clarity on my goals and passions. I believe that taking this time for myself will ultimately help me return to my career with renewed energy, a fresh perspective, and a stronger sense of purpose. It’s a reminder that sometimes, stepping back is actually a step forward.