The past seven months immersed in the Uber Career Prep (UCP) program have marked a significant turning point in my journey. As an international student venturing into the competitive tech industry, I felt a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. Questions lingered about the essential skills valued by industry leaders and how to refine my abilities to meet real-world professional demands. UCP became the crucial bridge connecting my academic foundations with the practical competencies required in the tech world. Being part of the 2024 cohort is an experience I deeply value.
The program’s competitive nature was evident from the outset. Attracting over 2,000 applicants from across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, the selection process was rigorous. Only 80 candidates were invited for interviews, and ultimately, just 50 were accepted into the fellowship—an acceptance rate of approximately 2.3%. Receiving my acceptance email in the Rice Library is a moment etched in my memory. This initial excitement fueled my engagement and perseverance throughout every challenge and triumph within the program.
The Vision Behind the Uber Career Prep Program
The Uber Career Prep Fellowship Program was designed with a clear vision: to empower participants to maximize their impact in future software engineering roles and to nurture their growth as industry leaders. This intensive seven-month fellowship went beyond conventional coding lessons. It placed a strong emphasis on holistic development, teaching us to view failures as valuable learning opportunities and to navigate challenges with resilience—a critical trait for success in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Immersive Workshops and Personalized Mentorship
Throughout the program, we actively participated in five comprehensive workshops. These sessions were meticulously structured to cover essential aspects of thriving in the tech industry, including technical and behavioral interview strategies, effective communication, design document creation, core engineering competencies, and insights into real-world software development practices. One aspect of Uber that particularly resonated with me was their deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), embodied in their motto: “Weave equity into the way the world moves.” This dedication to inclusive design—creating products that are considerate of every individual’s identity and diverse experiences—made a profound impression. It underscored how deeply DEI is ingrained in Uber’s operational ethos and product development culture.
A cornerstone of the UCP experience was the personalized feedback and guidance we received. Through four mock interviews and regular one-on-one mentorship sessions with experienced Uber engineers, we gained direct, actionable insights. I was incredibly fortunate to be mentored by Justin Phan, whose generosity in sharing his expertise and career experiences was invaluable. Our 14 one-on-one sessions created a safe space for open dialogue. I felt comfortable asking Justin anything—from detailed feedback on mock interviews and tackling challenging homework assignments to understanding his career trajectory at Uber. Complementing these meetings were four “mock” mock interviews with Justin, each designed to hone my coding proficiency and communication skills under pressure.
Further enhancing our technical skills were workshops and office hours led by Emma Ziegellaub Eichler, whose passion for algorithms and teaching was truly infectious. Emma’s workshops not only provided in-depth knowledge of algorithmic thinking but also ignited a deeper appreciation for problem-solving. I made it a point to attend every office hour session, eagerly absorbing knowledge on complex topics such as memoization and topological sorting. Emma’s energetic teaching style and willingness to share her wisdom made each session feel like a unique learning opportunity.
Key Takeaways and Personal Growth
One of my most significant achievements during the Uber Career Prep Fellowship Program was the substantial growth in my algorithmic thinking and implementation abilities. The homework assignments were thoughtfully structured to reinforce fundamental concepts. Rather than overwhelming us with a wide array of random problems, UCP’s curriculum focused on strengthening our grasp of essential data structures and basic algorithms. We were challenged to implement core data structures like binary search trees, heaps, tries, singly and doubly linked lists, and queues before tackling complex algorithmic questions. To solidify my understanding, I diligently practiced each homework problem three times. This consistent practice, coupled with the program’s structured guidance, was instrumental in my progress. My mock interview performance steadily improved, culminating in “Double Thumbs Up” ratings on two occasions. This improvement is a clear reflection of the program’s effective methodology and the profound impact of iterative practice.
Beyond technical skills, I gained crucial insights into effective problem-solving methodologies. UCP emphasized the importance of breaking down complex problems into manageable components and encouraged seeking help when needed—a vital skill in both professional and personal contexts. The workshops prompted frequent self-reflection on how to maximize my contributions and navigate challenges and setbacks with a proactive, growth-oriented mindset.
Aligning with Uber’s company culture, particularly its dedication to inclusive design and its proactive “go-get-it” attitude, was another profound takeaway. The principle of weaving equity into the world’s movement is more than just a slogan at Uber; it is deeply integrated into the company’s operational framework and daily practices, which I found incredibly inspiring. A particularly impactful workshop was hosted by Oona King, Uber’s Chief DEI Officer. Her session offered invaluable advice on celebrating achievements, maintaining emotional resilience, and keeping a balanced perspective in both professional and personal life.
Building Invaluable Professional Relationships
The relationships formed during the UCP program are among its most rewarding aspects. I had the privilege of connecting with exceptional individuals, from my mentor Justin, to various panelists, engineers, and fellow cohort members, each contributing uniquely to my professional development. Special gratitude is due to Zach Singleton , the visionary founder of the program, whose motivational speeches consistently inspired us, and to Julia Alberts, MPA, the program’s dedicated staff manager, whose meticulous organization ensured the program’s seamless execution and overall success.
Additionally, I want to acknowledge Anne-Marie Freeman, whose energetic presentations and recruiting insights were incredibly beneficial, as well as Yara Radwan and Luis Filipe Sales, who led numerous workshops and provided crucial technical interview guidance. Finally, Jacquelyn Villena and Emma Ziegellaub Eichler were instrumental in facilitating and leading technical workshops, offering continuous support throughout the program.
The Journey Forward: Beyond the Fellowship
Although the formal program has concluded, it truly feels like just the beginning. Despite its virtual format and participants spread across various time zones, the sense of community was palpable. Julia and the entire UCP team ensured we remained engaged and connected by consistently sharing resources, contact details, and post-workshop materials. As UCP alumni, we continue to foster connections through a dedicated LinkedIn alumni group, ensuring that the relationships cultivated during this period extend well into the future.
Reflecting on my experience, it’s challenging to fully articulate the profound impact of this program. I’ve significantly enhanced my technical capabilities, sharpened my problem-solving skills, and, most importantly, gained a clearer sense of my professional trajectory within the tech industry. Inspired by the UCP alumni who presented in our workshops, I now aspire to contribute back to this community that has given me so much. I look forward to the opportunity to “pay it forward” by supporting the growth of future UCP cohorts.
Ultimately, the Uber Career Prep Fellowship Program has been about much more than just algorithms and coding. It has been a transformative journey focused on developing leadership qualities, embracing failure as a stepping stone to success, and cultivating the essential mindset needed to thrive in both my career and life. I am deeply grateful for the program, every individual involved, and the invaluable network of friends and mentors I’ve gained along the way.
Returning to Uber: Summer Internship 2025
These workshops and mentorship sessions were strategically designed not only to refine our engineering skills but also as Uber’s investment in our potential, preparing us to return as highly skilled software engineers ready to make meaningful contributions. Our performance throughout the program, combined with the final conversion interviews, provided a pathway to return to Uber next summer as official software engineering interns! I am thrilled to announce that I was among those selected, and I eagerly anticipate meeting these incredible individuals in person for the first time at Uber’s offices!
Final Reflections: Connecting the Dots
Exactly a year ago, during the Fall 2023 semester at Rice University, I undertook a venture capital course where I chose Uber as the subject for my research paper. I analyzed its market size, business model, competitive landscape, and financial performance. I was astounded by the remarkable growth Uber had achieved in its relatively short 15-year history. It’s fascinating to consider that back in August 2008, the concept of a “next-generation car service” was just a slideshow presentation on founder Garrett Camp’s computer.
At that time, I could scarcely have imagined that just one year later, I would be completing such an impactful program at Uber and becoming part of its welcoming and brilliant community. And now, looking ahead two years, I am preparing to join this innovative company in a role that genuinely excites me.
Steve Jobs’ insightful quote from his 2005 Stanford Commencement speech resonates deeply with my experience: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”
For me, I can now clearly see how my diverse academic, leadership, and technical experiences have converged. Guided by faith, family, mentors, and friends, I’ve been proactively creating new “dots” with passion and gratitude. I trust that these concerted efforts will indeed pay off, and all the dots will ultimately align to form a meaningful path, perhaps with a few curves, but always leading towards my intended destiny.
I am filled with anticipation for what the future holds! While the specifics remain unknown, I am confident that when new opportunities arise, I will be ready to embrace them and –
GO GET IT!
