How specific does Steve Huynh say a software engineer's career goal should be?

Steve Huynh says success or happiness is too vague to plan against. He asks for something like staff engineer at a FAANG company by age 35, running your own startup, or $1 million in total compensation, and suggests picturing what an ordinary Tuesday looks like in that life.

• Without a clear goal, Huynh warns, your manager, your company or your family will steer you toward their targets instead.

Source: our own transcription of the episode. The full conversation is on A Life Engineered (2026-10-28). Read the whole episode summary →

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