Summary

In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, host Brittany Ellich and co-hosts Bethany and Erika welcome Thomas Dohmke, former CEO of GitHub. They discuss Thomas's journey in software development, pivotal moments in his career, the importance of passion and continuous learning, and advice for overcoming career stagnation. The conversation also touches on the future of software development, particularly the impact of AI, and concludes with a fun round of questions about LEGO.

Takeaways

• Thomas grew up in East Germany and discovered coding through a school lab.
• His passion for software development has been a constant throughout his career.
• Mentorship played a crucial role in his transition from university to the automotive industry.
• The importance of continuous learning in a fast-paced tech environment.
• Developers often feel stuck in their careers, but a growth mindset can help overcome this.
• Asking for help and having open conversations with managers can lead to new opportunities.
• Reading books on engineering and leadership can provide valuable insights.
• AI is set to revolutionize the software development landscape again.
• The journey of a developer is filled with ups and downs, but passion keeps them motivated.
• Thomas encourages developers to embrace change and stay curious.

Links

• Thomas on GitHub: https://github.com/ashtom
• Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtom/
• Thomas on X: https://x.com/ashtom
• The Great Mental Models book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44245196-the-great-mental-models
• An Elegant Puzzle by Will Larson: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45303387-an-elegant-puzzle
• Staff Engineer by Will Larson: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56481725-staff-engineer
• The Engineering Executive's Primer: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199699997-the-engineering-executive-s-primer
• Bricklink: https://www.bricklink.com/v2/main.page
• Host: Bethany Janos: https://github.com/bethanyj28
• Host: Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com
• Host: Eggyhead: https://github.com/eggyhead