I’m writing this blog post for a few reasons. First, I was promoted to Senior Engineer during a pivotal cultural shift at the company I work for (and tech industry in general). Second, I want to talk about the realities of working in tech, beyond the headlines and assumptions. But most importantly, I want to share what I’ve learned while working at Meta, a company constantly in the public eye, and give my personal take on the experience.
I graduated from college almost 4 years ago and started working at Meta (previously Facebook) shortly after. I’ve been here ever since. I don’t know any other performance review process or workplace pace outside of what I’ve experienced at Meta. But one thing I do know for sure is that things move fast. Expectations evolve, priorities shift, and I’ve worked hard to keep up.
The Realities of Working in Tech
Tech is an exciting industry, it offers incredible opportunities and challenges you in ways you never expect but there are also harsh realities.
The truth is, job security in tech isn’t guaranteed anymore. We’ve seen massive layoffs across the industry, and even the best engineers aren’t safe from the unexpected. Working in tech means constantly adapting, learning, and staying ready for whatever comes next.
This job isn’t just about being a great coder. Success in tech requires strong communication, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to navigate ambiguity. You can be the best engineer in the room, but if you can’t work well with others or adapt to constant change, you’ll struggle to grow.
And let’s talk about pace because big tech moves fast and I’ve had to learn how to keep up. But if you can embrace that and focus on what you can control, you’ll find ways to grow no matter what’s happening around you.
Now, you might be wondering: Why Meta? The reasons I’ve shared above sum it up. For me, there’s nothing more rewarding than solving complex problems, becoming an expert in a particular area, and feeling my own growth as I navigate challenges, whether it’s adapting to change or finding my place on a new team. I’m here because the experience I’m gaining is invaluable, and no matter what happens next, that’s something no one can take away from me.
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot, both about engineering and about navigating an environment with constant change. Here are the three biggest lessons that have shaped my growth:
Get Comfortable With Change
In the last 3.5 years, I’ve experienced constant change, team re-orgs, leadership shifts, stock fluctuations, coworkers leaving, and broader company culture transformations. I’ve been through it all, more than once.
Early on, I’d panic whenever something changed. I’d stress about the future, overanalyze situations and decisions, and let uncertainty consume me. But over time, I’ve realized that change is inevitable. The only thing I can control is how I respond to it.
Now, whenever a change happens, I’ll ask myself: How can I adjust? Instead of dwelling on the uncertainty, I try to focus on what’s within my control. Which brings me to my next point.
Don’t Stress Over Things You Can’t Control
This lesson has been particularly important in the last year, especially when it comes to layoffs.
I’ve had moments where I worried about my job security. But no matter how much I stressed, I had no control over those decisions. The only thing I could control was my contribution as an engineer so that’s where I focused my energy.
That’s not to say it was easy. I had moments of doubt, but instead of letting fear paralyze me, I prepared for the worst-case scenario. I brushed up on my interview skills and even sent out a few applications and emails. That’s all I could do.
At the end of the day, worrying wouldn’t have changed anything. But showing up, doing my best, and preparing for different outcomes? That gave me a sense of control over my own path.
Beyond the challenges of the job itself, working for a company that’s constantly in the public eye comes with its own set of pressures. There will be moments when you want to stay under the radar to avoid judgment for being part of this company. You might feel guilt for not speaking up about certain issues, or even for surviving a layoff while others didn’t… let alone updating your LinkedIn to share a promotion.
These are burdens many of us carry on top of everything else, but at the end of the day, we can’t control how others perceive our choices. Working here doesn’t mean I agree with every decision leadership makes; it simply means I’m at a company that aligns with my professional goals.
Give Your Best to Everything You Do
This applies to all areas of life; work, relationships, personal growth. But for this particular post, let’s focus on work.
Whenever I’m part of something, I want to improve it. I want my team to be better because I was there. I want every project I work on to be stronger because of my contributions. This mindset has shaped how I approach my work, and it helped lead to my second promotion in 3 years.
I want this to be a reminder that even in uncertain times, you still have control over your own growth. Leadership decisions, whether it’s layoffs or promotions, don’t define you.
I was promoted because my work was recognized, but even if it hadn’t been, that wouldn’t have taken away from my value. The growth I’ve experienced is mine to keep, no matter where I go or what happens next.
I’m incredibly happy and excited to officially be a Senior Engineer. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that I’ll be okay.
No matter what’s happening around you, remember to know your worth. Know what you bring to the table. That mindset will take you places, no matter what decisions others make.
You’ve got this.
XO,
Paola Terrazas
