Join hosts Danny Thompson, Leon Noel, and Shruti Kapoor as they dive into the secrets of professional growth in tech. In this episode, they explore why networking is your greatest asset—even if you only have 15–30 minutes a day—and how to stay relevant in today’s fast-paced industry. From navigating the hidden job market to leveraging React 19’s game-changing features like streamlined forms, actions, and the useOptimistic hook, this episode is packed with actionable tips for developers at every level.
Learn how to:
On a mission to help YOU succeed in web development ✨ O'Reilly, Epic Web, EggHead, YouTube Instructor ✨ React, JavaScript, A11Y 💻 Staff Engineer.
0:00 – Introduction: The Power of Networking & 15-Minute Growth Hacks
1:09 – Host Introductions & Email Story: Losing Momentum in Your Network
4:33 – Why Maintaining Your Network is Crucial for Job Opportunities
5:39 – Networking Strategies: 15-Minute Daily Tasks to Stay Top of Mind
9:01 – The Hidden Job Market: How Networking Opens Doors in Tech
14:03 – React in 2025: Is It Still the Go-To Technology?
18:55 – React 19 Spotlight: Streamlining Forms with Actions
24:05 – Understanding useOptimistic: Instant UI Feedback & Faster Experiences
27:03 – Migrating to React 19: A Step-by-Step Approach for Large Codebases
31:01 – Design Patterns & Custom Hooks: Building Better, Scalable Code
36:42 – Optimizing Performance: React Profiler & Avoiding Excessive Prop Drilling
42:58 – Audience Q&A: Improving Yourself in a Small Company
46:03 – Brag Book & Living Document: Tracking Your Achievements
48:02 – Finding Fulfillment Beyond Your Day Job: Mentorship & Volunteering
50:00 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up: Taking Ownership of Your Career
