Silicon Valley

Has a mature and larger work force

Have developed best practices

Decades of experience

Data driven/informed

Product/impact driven

Feedback driven

Growth mindset

More professionalism

More craftsman

Culture of strong work ethics

Healthy aggressive

Faster feedback loops

Comfortable failing and making mistakes

South East Asia

Work force isn’t as mature

Doesn’t have best practices

Their first jobs as a CTO / EM

Titles are inflated

Ability/pay isn’t calibrated across SEA

Conflict avoidant

• puts a ceiling on growth
• don’t give feedback
• debates to find the best solution

Unhealthy Passive

• “ngak enakan” or “I dont want to bother you”

More cowboys

More carelessness

Too many junior developers, making junior developer mistakes

• Can’t work with long term code

Less accountability

Less engagement

People are promoted to fast to Senior Engineer

• Typically takes 3-9 years in US (with US experience); “10,000 hours”
• The 3y of experience in SEA is not equivalent to 3y in US

Suggestion:

• Try to join a company that has people who have worked in Silicon Valley