James Everingham, former vice president and head of engineering at Instagram, has shared advice for young engineers looking to start their career in the tech industry. Speaking on “The Peterman Pod” recently, Everingham, who has also worked at Yahoo, and Netscape, outlined five key tips for engineers starting out. His suggestions focus on curiosity, mentorship, being in the right environment, networking, and confidence in the workplace. Everingham said curiosity is one of the most important traits for young professionals. He encouraged engineers to ask questions and take interest in what others are working on. According to him, asking questions is a simple way to learn faster and build relationships within a company.On mentorship, Everingham said many early-career professionals struggle to find the right guidance. Instead of directly asking someone to be a mentor, he suggested offering help first. This approach, he said, makes it easier to build meaningful connections over time. “If you want to find a mentor, don’t go and ask someone: ‘Hey, I need a mentor,’” Everingham said. “Go offer them help.”He also highlighted the importance of being in the right environment. Everingham advised engineers to “go where the smart people are,” stating that working alongside talented individuals can accelerate learning and open new opportunities. During the conversation, he reflected on his early career saying his time at companies like Netscape helped him learn from some of the best minds in the industry.Another key point he raised was about maintaining professional relationships. Everingham warned against damaging connections, saying that while friendships may change over time, negative relationships can last longer and impact careers. Finally, he stressed the importance of speaking up at work. He said many people hesitate to share their ideas out of fear of being wrong, but those who contribute actively are often noticed. Even if ideas are not perfect, he said, showing confidence and willingness to participate can make a difference.
Meta CTO’s tip to engineers
Earlier this month, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth advised engineering students to stop waiting and start building. During an Instagram “Ask Me Anything” session this week, Bosworth was asked by a college freshman what it takes to break into technology. His response was direct and practical — focus less on theory and more on doing. “You just have to immerse yourself in it,” Bosworth said. “You should just constantly be building.”
