DEV Community: Keyul Patel

How Employees Can Smartly Manage Their RSUs and Taxes

Keyul Patel — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 15:50:36 +0000

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.

Many FAANG and FAANG-adjacent employees often misunderstand how to manage their RSUs (Restricted Stock Units).

These employees typically receive a regular monthly paycheck like any other salaried worker, but in addition, they’re granted company shares as RSUs—usually every quarter, depending on their vesting schedule.

Let’s take a simple example:

Imagine a FAANG employee who has worked at the same company for 2 years. It’s very likely that around 30% of their total compensation has come in the form of RSUs.

For clarity, let’s say the company is ABC, its share price is $100 , and the employee receives 100 shares every quarter.

Because ABC is a publicly listed company, these RSUs are treated as taxable income at the time of vesting.

Basic math: 100 shares x $100 = $10,000 in taxable income

The Fair Market Value (FMV) of the shares at the time of vesting is considered income, so the employee needs to pay taxes on this amount—let’s assume a 33% tax rate.

Now, employees usually have three options for handling these taxes:

1. Sell to Cover

In this option, a portion of the RSUs is automatically sold to cover the taxes (in this case, 33%).

So instead of 100 shares, the employee receives 77 shares, as 33 shares (~$3,300) are sold to cover the taxes.

2. Cash Payment

Here, the employee receives all 100 shares but must pay $3,300 out of pocket to cover the tax.

The employee gets the full 100 shares deposited into their account, but must transfer $3,300 in cash to the brokerage account to settle the tax obligation.

3. Sell All

In this case, all 100 shares are sold immediately, and the net amount after taxes is deposited as cash.

The employee receives $7,700 in cash, as $3,300 is withheld for taxes.

All three options are valid, and the best choice depends on an individual's financial situation and goals.

Let’s break down some common scenarios:

If someone needs cash immediately, Option 3 (sell all) might be the best.
If the goal is to build long-term wealth, either Option 1 or Option 2 could be more beneficial.

But choosing between Option 1 and Option 2 isn’t always straightforward. Let’s go deeper.

What if the employee isn’t living paycheck to paycheck?

If they have sufficient savings and believe their company is growing, Option 2 becomes appealing, as they retain all 100 shares.

But here’s the catch: with Option 1 or Option 2, employees continuously accumulate shares from the same company every quarter.

And that’s where the classic saying comes in:

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Even if the company is performing well, holding only one company’s stock increases risk. Diversification is key to building a resilient investment portfolio.

So, what’s the solution?

Employees should think about creating an exit strategy for their RSUs.

Let’s revisit our employee example with a thought experiment:

Suppose they have $3,300 to invest, and they can choose between:

Buying more ABC shares (their employer’s stock at $100 per share), or
Buying XYZ shares, also priced at $100 per share.

If their current portfolio only includes ABC shares, what would you recommend?

To follow the principles of diversification, it might make sense to invest in XYZ instead, while allowing 33% of ABC shares to be sold each quarter to cover taxes (Option 2).

This approach builds a gradual exit strategy and helps reduce overexposure to a single stock.

With $3,300 still available that wasn’t needed for taxes, there’s flexibility to invest in XYZ or explore other promising opportunities. It’s a smart way to stay diversified, manage tax obligations, and make your portfolio work more efficiently over time.

Originally published at https://mastermentee.com

Surviving (and Thriving) in Amazon’s Performance Review

Keyul Patel — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 03:38:20 +0000

If you’ve ever been through a performance review at a tech company, you know the mix of anticipation, nervousness, and excitement that comes with it.

This year marked my fourth annual performance review at Amazon, which we call Forte. I can't believe I'm already on my fourth Forte review!

Credit: Setup.us

Before joining Amazon, I had heard that the performance bar at FAANG companies was exceptionally high, so I was really nervous about my first review. I had come across countless stories of employees being placed on "Focus" or PIP (Performance Improvement Plan), often leading to resignation.

Breaking Down the Review Process

Before I dive deeper into my experience, let me first explain how Forte works. At Amazon, Forte happens once a year, and employees are required to gather feedback from colleagues, stakeholders, managers—essentially anyone they've collaborated with over the past year. Likewise, I also provide feedback for those who request it. Here’s the typical timeline:

November to January – Request and receive feedback
February – Managers finalize Forte summaries
March – Managers release summaries and schedule discussion meetings

All feedback is completely anonymous—once I submit feedback for a colleague, it goes directly to their manager. The manager then determines which feedback to include in the final Forte summary and which to filter out. However, managers can see who submitted feedback for whom.

When I first learned about this process, I was intrigued because it allows employees to pinpoint areas for growth—or in other words, identify skills they need to improve. Since feedback remains anonymous, people are more likely to be candid, and because managers have visibility into who provided the feedback, responses tend to be constructive yet professional.

Why Honest Feedback Matters

Providing honest feedback—especially in person—is one of the hardest things to do. People naturally shy away from difficult conversations. However, Amazon’s Forte process encourages open, detailed, and actionable feedback, helping individuals recognize their strengths and address their weaknesses so they can focus on professional growth and long-term success.

Honest feedback is like a compass—it points you toward areas where you need improvement, even if it’s sometimes uncomfortable to hear.

I also believe this process drives Amazon’s success as a company. When employees grow, the organization thrives. If employees feel stagnant in their careers, innovation slows down.

Amazon has been leveraging this performance review system for years, and I believe it's a key factor behind the company's relentless innovation and leadership in the tech industry.

In a fast-paced environment like Amazon, staying stagnant is not an option. Forte ensures that every employee gets the insights they need to keep evolving.

Final Thoughts: Make the Most of It

When I first joined Amazon mid-year, I had worked with only a handful of colleagues. So, when November arrived, my pool of potential feedback providers was fairly limited.

Credit: Giphy

Now, however, I seek feedback from a much broader group. This allows me to gain a 360-degree perspective on my performance.

Since each person has a unique role and background, they provide feedback from diverse viewpoints and career experiences. This variety of insights helps me grow beyond just software development, pushing me to improve in leadership, communication, and collaboration.

If you ever find yourself in a performance review process like Forte, embrace it! It’s not just about evaluation—it’s an opportunity to level up your skills, gain valuable insights, and accelerate your career growth.

Let’s hear from you. What do you think about performance review process at your company? —do you see it as a challenge, an opportunity, or just another checkbox in the review process?

Originally published at https://mastermentee.com

How Improv Helped an Amazonian Overcome Stage Fear

Keyul Patel — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:40:38 +0000

Imagine stepping onto a stage with nothing—no script, no plan—just a sea of expectant eyes waiting for you to create something out of thin air.

Your heart pounds. Your mind races. Every instinct screams at you to sit back down, to blend into the background where it’s safe.

Would you still choose to stay on stage, or would you make a quick exit?

Credit: DALL·E

If you had asked me a few weeks ago, my immediate answer would have been, “Don’t even go near that place.”

But in reality, I actually stepped onto the stage last week and performed. It was a mix of terrifying and exhilarating—but surprisingly, it felt a bit easier because it was improv.

What is Improv?

Let me tell you what improv is.

Improv, short for improvisational theater, is a live performance where actors spontaneously create scenes, dialogue, and characters in the moment—often inspired by audience suggestions. While it’s commonly associated with comedy, it can also explore other tones and themes.

Improv isn’t about playing it safe—it’s about jumping in headfirst, trusting that somehow, you’ll land on your feet. And in that terrifying yet thrilling moment, you realize: this is where the magic begins.

How I Found Improv

I discovered improv through Meetup when I came across an Improv Jam event in my area. Curious, I did a bit of research on Google and Reddit and found that improv has a ton of benefits.

But instead of listing those benefits here, let me say this—reading about it won’t do it justice. The best way to understand improv is to experience it for yourself.

After realizing how fun and rewarding improv can be, I registered for the event and showed up. They had a “Play or Pass” policy, meaning I could just watch if I didn’t feel comfortable participating.

My First Improv Experience

At first, that’s exactly what I did—I sat back and observed. But then, I decided to step in and play a few games. Let me tell you, improv games are ridiculously fun.

The event lasted two hours, and I stayed until the very end. I enjoyed it so much that I started attending more Improv Jam sessions after that.

Every time I go, I find that my mind becomes fully present. All my other worries fade away.

Taking It a Step Further

After a while, I learned that they offered beginner and advanced improv classes. I was instantly intrigued and signed up.

Let me be honest—attending my first class was extremely uncomfortable. The second class wasn’t any easier.

Unlike the Improv Jam events, which were open to anyone, the classes were structured for students like me, meaning participation wasn’t optional.

Actually, it was optional, but I wanted to actually learn, so I pushed myself outside my comfort zone and forced myself to try unfamiliar games.

Standing in front of 20 people and performing in real-time was nerve-wracking. The games required instant reactions, where my scene partner or the audience would throw in prompts, and I had to build on them.

But after a few classes, I started to feel a little more comfortable. My classmates and instructors were incredibly supportive. The course was an eight-week program, and by the seventh session, something unexpected happened.

The Big Challenge: Performing on Stage

Our instructor announced that after the final session, we would have a student showcase—a live improv performance in front of an audience.

At first, I immediately wanted to say no. The thought of performing in front of strangers made me panic. But then I told myself,

“Nobody in the audience knows me. Even if I mess up, no one will remember it forever.”

Plus, I already knew the games we’d be playing—although there would still be some spontaneous elements, since improv isn’t rehearsed.

Still, I had second thoughts. What if I went completely blank on stage? What if I froze while the audience stared at me? Performing in front of a large crowd felt impossible.

But I did it. I performed in front of 80 people.

Yes, I went blank for a few seconds, but guess what? The world didn’t end.

My stage fear actually started to fade. Now, I feel like I can let loose and embrace the craziness more than ever before.

Lessons (Re)Learned

You’re not as bad as you think.
We’re our own worst critics. But my classmates appreciated my facial expressions and comedic timing during Improv games.
Mistakes are part of the process.

I’ve made tons of mistakes in my improv classes. But instead of getting frustrated, I’ve learned to laugh them off and move on.

This mindset has spilled over into other areas of my life—even in performance reviews at work. I used to overprepare for them, taking them way too seriously. This year, I walked in without stressing, and I barely remember what was discussed. (Not ideal, but hey, at least I didn’t overthink it!)

If something goes wrong, I don’t beat myself up anymore. Instead, I think, “How can I improv this?”

Final Thoughts

Improv has taught me to be present, embrace the unexpected, and stop fearing mistakes. If you’ve ever been curious about trying it, I highly recommend jumping in.

Who knows? You might just surprise yourself. 🎭

Wish Someone Had Told Me This in School

Keyul Patel — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 18:23:06 +0000

Why Small Wins Matter More Than Big Breakthroughs?

Credit: DALL·E

Have you ever heard the word compound before? No? That’s fine. But you’ve definitely heard of the Seven Wonders of the World, right?

Now, have you heard of the eighth? It’s not an ancient monument.

It’s compounding —and it changes everything.

Do you believe that? You should, because I’m not the first to say it. The great Albert Einstein once said:

Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it; he who doesn’t, pays it.

Perhaps you get the idea now. Everyone loves the thought of earning interest on interest, and over time, it often generates more wealth than the principal amount itself.

Most people think this only applies to money. It doesn’t.

It applies to everything—your skills, your career, your relationships, your entire life.

I believe we should take the word interest out of Einstein’s quote and reframe it as:

Compounding is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it; he who doesn’t, pays it.

The success I have today isn’t because of a single moment of genius.

It’s because:

I got decent grades in school.
I improved my communication skills.
I learned from my failures instead of blaming bad luck.
I built relationships instead of burning bridges.
I became a fast learner—because the world doesn’t wait for slow movers.

None of these things happened overnight. They stacked up over years.

That’s how compounding works. Years of effort. Years of growth. Years of small wins accumulating into something greater.

Since I kept investing in myself—through practice, learning, and self-improvement—those efforts are now paying off in both my professional and personal life.

The Hidden Formula for Long-Term Growth

Most people screw this up. They think success comes from one big breakthrough.

Nope.

It comes from showing up every day, stacking small wins, and letting them multiply over time.

Let’s say I had never worked on improving my communication skills. Even if I were great at my job, I would likely be unemployed within three months. Right?

Because technical skills alone don’t cut it—you need to sell yourself, influence people, and stand out.

The same applies to someone who lands a job but lacks the necessary skills. People love shortcuts, but do you think that person has what it takes to succeed? Of course not—so the ending won’t be good.

So, understand this: every skill you learn today will reward you in the future.

School: The Safest Place to Learn

Lately, I’ve realized that school is the safest place to learn.

Why?

Because everyone there is trying to learn something.

I wish someone had told me this sooner.

Back in school, I didn’t pay much attention to extracurricular activities. I thought they were a waste of time and energy.

But recently, I started engaging in those activities, and I realized how much harder it is to learn new things as an adult.

Why?

Because of the curse of knowledge—or, in simpler terms, the maturity tag.

Society expects adults to behave a certain way, while children are free to explore and learn without judgment. That’s why kids are naturally fast learners.

Once you reach a certain age, learning becomes harder—not impossible, just harder—because you often need to unlearn old habits before you can make room for new ones.

Once you step out of school, the real world expects you to do everything.

Interns are often assigned research and development projects, and nowadays, even beginners are expected to contribute from day one.

Wherever there is learning, there will be failures. And without failures, there is no real learning.

I believe:

Failure teaches you, and success tests you.

So embrace failure in your life and start asking yourself:

"What is this phase trying to teach me?"
"What lesson should I take from this experience?"

Because the sooner you understand the power of compounding—whether in knowledge, skills, or personal growth—the sooner you’ll unlock your full potential.

Lastly, compounding works in both directions.

Ignore growth, and life compounds in reverse.

Keep stacking skills, and soon, you’ll have a life most people only dream of.

Originally published at https://mastermentee.com

Life Is a Staircase—Are You Climbing or Just Running in Circles?

Keyul Patel — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:28:20 +0000

We all chase a dream. We tell ourselves, “Once I get there, I’ll finally be happy.” But what if the finish line doesn’t actually exist?

Here’s the Life-Changing Story:

The Never-Ending Staircase

A 20-year-old girl named Arian had a big dream—to climb a mystical mountain where a wise sage at the top was said to know life’s greatest secret.

She trained for years, facing relentless storms, steep paths, and exhausting days. But she never gave up. She kept climbing.

One day, she reached the top. She felt proud and strong. The sage smiled at her—then pointed beyond the mountain.

Arian turned and saw another peak. It was taller, grander, and more breathtaking.

“The dream brought you here,” the sage said. “But dreams are not the end. They are steps. When you reach one, another appears.”

Arian understood. Life isn’t about achieving just one goal. It’s a journey. Every dream leads to the next. And that makes life an endless adventure.

"Success is not a destination, but the road that you’re on." – Marlon Wayans

Inspired by The Alchemist

Credit: DALL·E

The Reality of Chasing Dreams

Everyone in the world has a dream. Many of us shape our aspirations early in childhood.

Some achieve their goals later in life—only to find themselves chasing another one, like a dog chasing its own tail.

I believe 99% of people live FOR the dream, unaware that their current life is someone else’s dream currently. Only 1% truly live theirs own dream.

The problem? People take their current life for granted.

Even though Arian reached the top of a mystical mountain and dreaming the next one, she should have paused to acknowledge something important—she had already achieved one of the greatest and toughest goals of her life.

99% live for the dream, but only 1% truly live the dream.

How Many More Steps Do You Want to Climb?

Let’s say you’ve climbed hundreds, maybe even thousands of steps in your life—your career, ambitions, goals.

The real question is: How many more do you actually want to climb?

Most people don’t have a clear answer. They follow the crowd. They mumble vague responses like, “Maybe three more steps.” Others say, “Five more and I’m retired.”

But the truth? They just keep climbing. Even after they’ve reached the so-called “destination.”

Only a handful of people in this world have a plan for the final step—retirement.

I’ve asked people about retirement. Every single one of them has a fantasy about what it looks like. They’re dreaming about it.

The irony? Many could retire today. They have enough. The only trade-off? Maybe they save a little less for the future—not enough to affect their basic needs, though.

So why don’t they do it?

Because they don’t actually want to retire. They’d rather keep the dream alive in their head than live it in reality.

Wild, right?

"A goal is not always meant to be reached; it often serves simply as something to aim at." – Bruce Lee

The Harsh Truth About Dreams

I asked people who have actually retired about their experience.

The biggest lesson I learned?

Dreams are great… but only in dreams.

Reality never feels the same as the fantasy.

They spent years chasing this goal, picturing the perfect life once they got there. But when they finally did? Something still felt missing. Fulfillment didn’t arrive the way they had imagined.

Turns out, achieving the dream isn’t the hard part.

Finding joy in it is.

Agree?

Enjoy the Step You’re On

If there’s one thing to remember, especially you (yes, the one reading this newsletter), it’s this:

The life you’re living right now is someone (actually many people’s) else’s dream.

If you ever feel stuck on a step, pause for a moment. Look back at the steps you’ve already climbed.

Take a break. Fully enjoy the step you’re on.

I really mean that. You can never go back to this step. Never!

Then, when you’re ready—focus on climbing the next step.

But also, have a final step in mind. Otherwise, you’re just climbing a never-ending staircase.

Learn to enjoy where you are before chasing where you want to be.

Originally published at https://mastermentee.com

Why Most People Never Take a Real Vacation (And How to Fix It)

Keyul Patel — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:14:35 +0000

This week, I was on vacation.

It felt damn good.

Taking time off always does. But have you ever stopped to ask why vacations feel so incredible? Why do we crave them?

Here’s the truth: We don’t own our time.

Our calendars? Not ours. Our schedules? Controlled by someone else. For weeks, months, even years, we follow routines that aren’t designed for us. Work, meetings, deadlines, rinse, repeat.

Then—finally—we break free.

We escape. For a few days, we get to decide what matters.

Maybe it’s traveling with family, planning epic adventures, or just doing nothing. Maybe it’s baking with friends, reading books, or watching the sunset without a single notification ruining the moment.

Or maybe, just maybe, it’s sitting at home, phone on silent, and doing whatever the hell we want.

That’s the magic of vacations. They remind us how life is supposed to feel.

“A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it.” — Robert Orben

Credit: DALL·E

But Most People Never Take Time Off

And here’s where it gets painful—most people don’t take vacations when they actually need them.

They wait.

They overwork.

They let their bosses, deadlines, and obligations dictate their time. They convince themselves that "now is not the right time."

And before they know it, they’re burned out, exhausted, running on fumes, dreaming of a break they’ll never take.

The worst part?

Most people don’t even know how to take a real vacation.

They carry their laptops. Check emails "just in case." Keep Slack notifications on. They pretend to be on vacation while secretly being available for work.

And that’s not a vacation. That’s just changing your office location.

Work Won’t Miss You (But You’ll Miss Your Life)

You know what happens when you finally take a break?

Nothing.

The company keeps running. Emails keep piling up (like they always do). Meetings go on without you.

And guess what? Nobody really notices that you’re gone.

But you will notice if you never take time off.

Your mental health will take a hit. Your creativity will fade. Your energy will drain. You’ll become a robot following a schedule that isn’t even yours.

The Hard Truth: Your Life Isn’t Meant to Be Lived Between Deadlines

Most people wait for some magical moment—"I’ll take a break when I finish this project." or "I'll take a break once I get promotion."

That’s a lie.

There’s always another project. Another email. Another meeting. Another milestone in career.

The real high-performers—the ones who actually do great work—know that breaks aren’t a luxury. They’re a necessity.

They unplug. Fully. They take their vacations like their life depends on it—because it does.

They come back sharper. Smarter. Ready to crush it.

And the people who never take time off?

They keep running on empty. They work harder, not smarter. And they burn out wondering why they feel so exhausted all the time.

“If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.” — Banksy

The Lesson? Take the Damn Vacation.

“You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.” — Charles Buxtonx

Not when it’s convenient. Not when your boss says it’s okay. Not when you’ve earned it.

Now.

Because the truth is, work will never be "done." There will never be a perfect time.

But there’s a perfect reason to take time off: Your life.

Don’t wait. Don’t overthink it.

Just take the damn vacation.

Originally published at https://mastermentee.com

The Ugly Truth About Success No One Wants to Admit

Keyul Patel — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 02:34:53 +0000

Success is a tricky thing.

We chase it like a dog after a speeding car, thinking that once we catch it, life will magically make sense. We believe that climbing the corporate ladder, hitting big milestones, or earning fat paychecks will unlock happiness.

Credit: DALL·E

But here’s what no one tells you: Many of the most “successful” people are miserable.

The Silent Epidemic of the Unhappy Elite

I’ve read books.

Watched videos.

Listened to interviews.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned — it’s this:

The people who climb the corporate ladder are NOT happy.

They either hate their work but can’t quit because they’ve invested decades into it.

Or they’re so obsessed with work that they forgot to build a personal life.

Or they’re hooked on the status, fame, and respect that their job gives them, terrified of losing it if they slow down.

I Wanted to Be Like Them

I used to look at high achievers and think:

“Damn, I want to be like that.”

So I started planning. Constantly.

What to learn.

What skills to master.

Which next big thing to chase.

Recently, I even posted a personal 2025 plan online for the first time ever.

We tell ourselves lies to keep going:

I’ll be happy when I get the promotion.
I’ll be happy when I hit six figures.
I’ll be happy when I finally have my own business.
I’ll be happy once my net worth reaches a million dollars.

Then, Burnout Hit Me Like a Truck

I’m almost at the end of my 20s.

And let me tell you — I’ve lost count of how many times I felt completely drained.

Recently, I dived into how money is created. The deeper I went, the more I realized:

The system is rigged.

That’s a topic for another day.

On top of that, I’ve been forcing myself to learn skills I suck at, all while trying to do well at my job.

Public speaking? Still garbage.

Technical skills? Could be better.

And the worst part? My mind won’t shut up.

Whenever I take it easy, I hear this voice:

“Dude, people would KILL to have your job. And you’re out here slacking?!”

So I hustle harder.

Burn myself out.

And the cycle repeats.

The Root of This Mental Mess

All of this traces back to childhood conditioning.

I grew up in a middle-class, tiger-parent household.

“Look at Sharma’s kid! First in class!”

“Wow, those kids dance so well! Why don’t you?”

Meanwhile, I was sitting alone, dreaming about the future.

And then — something big happened.

My Tiger Mom Was Wrong

Today is a big day.

Because after years of debate, my mom finally admitted something:

“One person can’t be good at everything.”

I almost fell out of my chair.

For YEARS, she drilled the opposite into my head. And now? She’s saying it herself.

That moment felt like 100 pounds lifting off my shoulders.

Your parents shape your worldview — even after you grow up.
Your parents are human too. They get things wrong. You’re allowed to change your beliefs.

I’m not saying argue with them. I’m saying find peace within yourself.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.

The New Plan: Chill Out

I’m done obsessing over self-improvement.

For now, I’m:

✅ Not reading another self-help book.

✅ Not chasing the next big thing.

✅ Not starting another newsletter (even though I have ideas).

I’ll still write here — not for subscribers, not for algorithms, but just to share.

If it helps someone now, great. If not, maybe it will someday.

Because at the end of the day, I don’t want to wake up at 70, realizing I forgot to enjoy life.

And maybe, just maybe, neither do you.

“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” — Dolly Parton

Originally published at https://mastermentee.com

From Dream Big Tech Job to Harsh Reality

Keyul Patel — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 19:58:49 +0000

For many computer science students, landing a job at a FAANG company has always been a dream. The allure of a stable and exciting career—working in a fancy office, enjoying free lunches, exploring the city, attending team events, contributing to cutting-edge innovations, taking vacations at luxurious locations, and spending quality time with friends—paints an enticing picture.

In short, dream of a stable life.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

I was also one of those computer science students and started working for a Big Tech giant after graduation. But does reality match the dream? Let me share my honest experience from the past four years working at one of the Big Tech giants—Amazon. I’ll be as transparent as possible because there’s no reason to sugarcoat anything.

Credit: ChatGPT

The Beginning: Landing a Dream Job

I joined Amazon in June 2021, and from the start, my journey was filled with unbelievable experiences.

Initially, things were great. I didn’t choose my team, but luckily, I ended up in one of the best teams possible. I loved the work, the services we were building, and the collaboration among different teams. I was completing my tasks ahead of schedule and constantly asking for more because every day felt like a learning experience.

I was fascinated by Amazon’s internal tools and how teams worked together to build a massive ecosystem. Every project had dedicated owners working alongside others to deliver impactful solutions. It felt like being part of something big, something meaningful.

During this period, I enjoyed every moment of my work life. I was grateful for this opportunity—something I had dreamed of since I first started using Google (in other words, a decade-long dream). And beyond work, life was equally amazing:

Exploring new restaurants and cuisines
Weekend trips with friends
Traveling to different cities and states
Improved life style

I truly believed my life had reached the stability I had always envisioned. But as the saying goes:

Bad times come when you least expect them.

The Unexpected Downturn

As the tech industry began to decline, so did the global economy. Then came the massive layoffs—starting with Meta's biggest layoff in history, soon followed by other companies, including Amazon.

One of my closest friends, who was working on an incredible project I once desired, suddenly got laid off. Just like that. It didn’t matter how important the project was, how critical the deadlines were, or how valuable the team was. It was a brutal wake-up call.

At the time, I thought this was just a one-time event. I was wrong.

Layoff after layoff followed. More colleagues lost their jobs—some welcomed it, while others struggled with the uncertainty.

Recently, I witnessed a layoff that I still find hard to believe. It was not an IC but someone from management. They announced some organizational changes a week before, which I was curious to hear about from them, and the next week, while they were on a business trip, they heard about their own layoff. Isn’t that shocking?

The Shift in Perspective

Everything feels different now. To be honest, stability was never part of the equation in life.

Looking back at the dreams I once had, even when I try to enjoy the same things, the happiness isn’t the same. The reality of the industry has changed my perspective. My biggest takeaway from all of this is:

"Whatever you dream of, once you achieve it, you will never enjoy it the same way again."

Looking back, there are two key lessons that I believe anyone—whether aspiring to work at FAANG or pursuing other career dreams—can resonate with:

1. No Job is Truly "Stable"—Adaptability is Key

Many people enter the tech industry (or any field) believing that landing a dream job at a big company ensures long-term stability. However, as seen in this story, even highly skilled professionals at top companies aren’t immune to layoffs and industry shifts.

The key takeaway? Job security is never guaranteed. Instead of relying solely on a company for stability, focus on building skills, networking, and staying adaptable in a changing job market.

2. Dreams Change Once You Achieve Them

We often romanticize certain career goals, imagining that once we reach them, happiness and satisfaction will last forever. However, reality is different. Over time, the excitement fades, and new challenges emerge. This doesn’t mean achieving dreams isn’t worthwhile—it simply means that happiness isn’t tied to a single milestone. True fulfillment comes from continuous growth, learning, and embracing new aspirations along the way.

These lessons apply not just to the tech industry but to anyone navigating career ambitions and life expectations.

Share Key Learnings

What’s Your Dream? Let's Talk!

I’ll share more thoughts on this in my upcoming articles. But for now, if you’re a computer science student dreaming of a FAANG job, I’d love to hear from you!

What are you dreaming about? Drop your thoughts, and I’ll share my personal experience to help you navigate your expectations.

A Clear Guide to AuthN, AuthZ, OIDC, OAuth and Their Role in Securing Applications

Keyul Patel — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 19:46:22 +0000

If you’ve ever logged into an app using Google, granted an app access to your calendar, or seen terms like authentication and authorization, you’ve already interacted with concepts like AuthN, AuthZ, OIDC, and OAuth. These terms might sound technical, but their core ideas are easy to grasp.

This article will break down these essential concepts, explain how they work, and highlight their differences—all in simple terms. By the end, you’ll understand how modern apps secure your identity and control what you’re allowed to do.

Credit: ChatGPT

What Is Authentication (AuthN)?

Authentication is all about proving who you are. Imagine trying to enter your school. At the gate, the guard asks, “Who are you?” You show your school ID, and they verify it’s you. That’s authentication in action.

Real-World Examples of Authentication:

Entering a username and password to log in. Using biometric authentication like fingerprints or facial recognition.
Receiving a one-time password (OTP) on your phone for login verification.

Purpose of Authentication:
The goal of authentication is to confirm your identity before allowing you to access a system. It answers the question, “Are you really who you claim to be?”

What Is Authorization (AuthZ)?

Once your identity is verified, the next question is: What are you allowed to do? This is where authorization comes in. Continuing the school analogy, imagine you’re now inside the school, but you want to enter the science lab. The lab has rules: only science students are allowed. The guard checks your timetable and confirms you’re a science student, then lets you in. That’s authorization.

Real-World Examples of Authorization:

A user can view files, but only an admin can edit or delete them.
A guest user can browse public pages, but a logged-in user can access their dashboard.
API endpoints that are restricted based on user roles (e.g., admin vs. user).

Purpose of Authorization:
Authorization controls what resources you can access and what actions you’re allowed to perform. It answers the question, “What are you permitted to do?”

What Is OAuth (Open Authorization)?

Think of OAuth as a secure way to allow someone to act on your behalf without sharing sensitive information. Here’s an example: You’re at a school fair, but you forgot your money. You call your mom and ask her to vouch for you. She calls the snack stand and arranges for you to get a ticket to buy snacks. The stand doesn’t need your mom’s credit card—they just trust the ticket.

This is OAuth: a protocol that lets apps or systems share limited access to your data without exposing your credentials.

Real-World Examples of OAuth:

Logging into an app using your Google, Facebook, or GitHub account.
Granting a fitness app access to your calendar to schedule workouts.
Allowing a social media app to access your photo gallery for uploads.

Purpose of OAuth:
OAuth enables delegated access to resources. It’s perfect for scenarios where one app needs access to your data from another app or service without compromising your security.

What Is OIDC (OpenID Connect)?

OIDC (OpenID Connect) builds on top of OAuth to add an authentication layer. In simpler terms, OIDC not only lets apps verify who you are (authentication) but also optionally grants access permissions (authorization).

Imagine you’re at a school fair in another state. The organizers don’t know you, but they trust your school ID. You show your school ID, and they recognize your identity and let you in. This is similar to how OIDC works.

Real-World Examples of OIDC:

Logging into a website with your Google account and verifying your identity.
Single Sign-On (SSO) systems that allow you to access multiple applications with one login.

Purpose of OIDC:
OIDC provides federated authentication, making it easy for apps to trust your identity across platforms. It’s commonly used for SSO solutions and scenarios where apps need both your identity and permission to access resources.

How Do OAuth and OIDC Differ?

Although OAuth and OIDC are often used together, they serve different purposes:

OIDC focuses on authentication, verifying your identity and optionally providing access.
OAuth focuses on authorization, granting apps limited access to your data.

For example, OAuth allows a travel app to access your calendar to book flights. OIDC takes it a step further by confirming that you are who you claim to be while granting the app permission.

Why These Concepts Matter for Developers

Understanding AuthN, AuthZ, OIDC, and OAuth is crucial for building secure, user-friendly applications. These protocols are the foundation of modern authentication and authorization systems, ensuring that users' identities and data remain protected while enabling seamless access to resources.

Whether you’re building a single sign-on system, integrating third-party APIs, or managing user roles, mastering these concepts will elevate your skills as a developer. Checkout quick summary here

Mentee Scored a First-Class Seat on Alaska Airlines for FREE

Keyul Patel — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 04:51:11 +0000

Surprising Free (First-Ever) First-Class Adventure

A few days ago, I was feeling incredibly frustrated about having to overpay for my Frontier Airlines ticket for a trip to Arizona. I ended up booking the flight just seven days before departure, and, as expected, the price was much higher than usual. I paid nearly three times the average rate for this route, leaving me disappointed in myself for not planning ahead.

To make matters worse, the price dropped to double the average rate within 48 hours. Since it was past the 24-hour window, I couldn't request a refund. It was an incredibly frustrating experience.

Overpaying for flights feels like throwing money away on something that could have cost significantly less. The financial regret lingers, especially when you realize that, with just a bit of planning, you could have used that extra money for something more meaningful—like an upgraded seat, a nice meal, or even extending your trip. It’s a frustrating reminder that procrastination or last-minute decisions can really weigh heavily on the budget.

"The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake." – Meister Eckhart

Fast forward seven days. I scored First-Class seat 1A on an Alaska Airlines flight, heading back home from Arizona. Let me tell you how that happened.

Credit: ChatGPT

From Last Group Boarding to First Class Group

As expected, I flew to Arizona on my overpriced Frontier ticket. My return flight, however, was with Alaska Airlines. During check-in, I was assigned a seat I assumed was in economy class.

Since I had paid for a basic class ticket, my boarding group was “F,” the last category of all groups. We “Group F” passengers made jokes while boarding, calling ourselves “Fabulous” since we were last to board.

Then, I settled into my seat and felt quite comfortable. When I looked around, I noticed I was seated in row 9, which was the last row of premium economy and also a window seat. I felt happy and thought, “Maybe life is trying to make up for forcing me to buy that expensive economy ticket by giving me a free upgrade.” It was like a small, unexpected blessing.

Unexpected Offer: First-Class Seat Swap

As I was getting comfortable, a woman seated next to me received a phone call about five minutes later. She politely asked if I would mind switching seats with her to 1A.

At first, I didn’t know it was a first-class seat, but within seconds, it clicked. Without hesitation, I responded, “Yeah, I don’t mind,” because I was traveling alone and didn’t mind moving. When she mentioned it was first class, I simply replied, “That’s fine. I don’t mind.” But after a few seconds, I got excited about it.

And that’s how I moved from premium economy to first class—a massive upgrade I hadn’t expected. What made it even better was that seat 1A was completely private, with no one sitting beside me. It was the first row of the plane, and the aircrew was right in front of me. I didn’t know much about first-class perks other than the “comfortable seat” label, but I was excited to experience it.

In-Flight Experience: First Class in Real-Time

I wrote this part in the flight, still buzzing with excitement and wanting to capture my thoughts.

T+9 minutes: The crew took my order. (Honestly saying, I even asked if food and drinks were included. Poor me.)
T+17 minutes: My drink arrived.
T+30 minutes: I was observing everything around me, wide awake. I wasn’t tired but couldn’t sleep either. I wanted to soak it all in, capturing both my thoughts and observations.
T+41 minutes: The aircrew was still serving drinks to first-class passengers.
T+49 minutes: They served hot snacks—salted almonds, pretzels, and cashews. (I had never eaten hot nuts)
T+58 minutes: My food arrived.
T+72 minutes: The meal was huge, served on a proper plate like dinner at home. They even provided stainless steel cutlery.
T+84 minutes: The dedicated aircrew started assisting economy passengers while I was finishing my meal.
T+96 minutes: The table was cleared. I still couldn’t fall asleep, and I noticed that most people in business class were awake, either working or observing the surroundings.

Eventually, I drifted into a deep sleep and woke up only when we arrived at the airport.

The Morning After

The next morning felt like any normal day. There was no lingering sense of “special treatment” or superiority—it was just another experience. The same person in the same body. However, I stumbled upon a remarkable quote online that resonated deeply with me:

George Leonard on how mastery is nothing but a series of plateaus with brief spurts of progress:

"The most important lessons here — especially for young people — is that even if you’re shooting for the stars, you’re going to spend most of your time on a plateau. 
That’s where the deepest, most lasting learning takes place, so you might as well enjoy it. 
When I was first learning…I just assumed that I would steadily improve. 
My first plateau was something of a shock and disappointment, but I persevered and finally experienced an apparent spurt of learning. 
The next time my outward progress stopped, I said to myself ‘oh damn, another plateau’. 
After a few months, there was another spurt of progress and then, of course, the inevitable plateau. 
This time, something marvellous happened. I found myself thinking ‘Oh boy, another plateau. 
Good, if I stay on it and keep practicing, I’m absolutely assured another surge of progress. 
It was one of the best and warmest moments of my life."

Source: Esquire Magazine, May 1987

So, this is my plateau, and that’s where I’ll be spending most of my time. I just need to stay and keep moving forward with this “normal” life. For me, this entire experience was life-changing in a small yet meaningful way. The first time you experience something new always feels magical. The moral of the story is:

Even when things don’t go as planned, life often has unexpected surprises in store.

Originally published at https://mastermentee.com

How Changing Teams Can Accelerate Professional Growth at Amazon

Keyul Patel — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 01:53:24 +0000

Have you ever felt uneasy about switching teams or employers? Or experienced the shock of your manager leaving the team or your closest colleague announcing their last week in the company?

I’ve been working at Amazon for the past 3 years and 8 months, and just this week, I started with a new team—my fifth team in my Amazon journey. Sometimes I’ve initiated these changes, and other times, circumstances required them.

In this article, I’ll share what has worked for me in adapting to new teams, where I still struggle, and how these changes have impacted my personal life. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or reply via email—we can all learn from each other. Spoiler alert:

Adapting to different projects, teams and employer isn’t just a professional challenge; it can have a ripple effect on your personal life too.

What Worked for Me?

1. Networking:

Meeting new people is a given when changing teams, and for me, it’s one of the most exciting aspects. Not gonna lie, I used to feel nervous about talking to strangers, but over time, with lots of practice, I’ve gained confidence. Now, I find it easy to strike up conversations.

In less than 4 years, I’ve built strong professional networks, including mentors who’ve been invaluable. Some of these connections have moved to other companies. I guess it would be easier to do future transitions : ).

Every new team is an adventure, and the people make it unforgettable.

2. Exploring Different Problem Spaces:

Over the past 3.5 years, I have worked with different teams solving various real-world problems. I believe this experience has expanded my thought process, and I have also learned how challenging it is to run the entire world. It may seem exaggerated, but I can share some examples.

For AWS services, latency is always an important factor for all their APIs. However, on the retail side (Amazon.com), there are many cases where latency is not as crucial, but making system features easier to use presents significant challenges.

Adapting your mindset is key; every team needs a distinct solution.

3. Knowledge Transfer Across Teams:

Each team I’ve joined has its own unique (of course) tech stack as well as standards, and processes.

For instance, standup meetings vary significantly. In some teams, they’re led by a dedicated person; in others, the on-call engineer or manager takes charge. Sometimes, it’s even self-directed by the team in alphabetical order of their names.

Seeing and living in different environments has given me a deep understanding of what works and what doesn’t. If I ever find myself in a managerial role (wish me luck), I believe this experience will help me implement the most effective processes. At the very least, I can propose alternatives when existing processes need improvement.

Understanding comes from living through the differences—knowing what works and what doesn’t.

4. Asking Questions:

Switching teams means learning a lot—new domains, tech stacks, current and future projects, services, and processes. To get up to speed quickly, asking questions is critical.

At the start of my career, I hesitated to ask questions because I thought they might seem "dumb." Even though Amazon encourages this, I struggled to open up. Over time, I noticed even senior leaders—directors included—asking basic questions.

That realization changed my mindset. If they could ask simple questions at their level, why couldn’t I? I also realized it’s better to "embarrass myself" early in my career rather than later. Now, I ask a lot of questions and have seen the benefits firsthand.

Questions aren’t just tools—they’re shortcuts to understanding.

What’s Still a Struggle for Me?

1. Feeling the Pressure to Deliver Immediately:

One of my biggest challenges is rushing to deliver results instead of giving myself enough time to learn. Even after reading documentation and watching onboarding videos, I sometimes feel like I haven’t contributed enough in the initial weeks.

I know every team requires its own ramp-up time for software engineers. Still, I hold myself to a high standard. In my mind, I know that every new Amazon hire is pushing changes in their first month. This (maybe self-imposed?) pressure is something I’m working to manage.

2. Suggesting Ideas Openly:

The second challenge I face is sharing my ideas, especially when they challenge existing processes. I worry that questioning a team’s standards might come across as criticism, like saying, “Why are you doing it this way?”

So, I tend to wait until I understand everyone’s personality before suggesting changes. As of now, I’m not sure if this is the best approach, but I’m eager to hear your thoughts.

Conclusion:

Navigating team changes can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to grow personally and professionally. By networking, exploring new problem spaces, absorbing knowledge, and asking questions, I’ve managed to adapt and thrive in different teams. However, challenges like delivering results quickly and openly suggesting ideas are areas where I’m still growing.

If you’ve faced similar experiences, I’d love to hear how you’ve handled them—let’s learn from each other!

How I Set Up My Custom Domain and Email for Substack

Keyul Patel — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 19:15:57 +0000

Happy New Year, fellow mentees 🎓! Last week, I shared a brief note (on Substack) about the new year, but here’s a more detailed follow-up with some exciting news.

In fact, it was 2:40 AM PST on the 31st night when I initially wanted to share this information with you, but I waited to provide more comprehensive details. Now, I am more than happy to share the complete story.

Back in October 2024, I made a promise to myself: I would reward my consistency and dedication by purchasing a dedicated domain for this newsletter. However, I didn’t want to rush the decision. So, I set a clear goal: if I posted 44 consecutive updates or started gaining more mentees in this community, I would reward myself with the domain.

Although the cost of a domain is relatively inexpensive, setting this goal helped me develop consistency and patience. MasterMentee is in its current situation primarily because of those two factors. Takeaway: Patience is an underrated skill in today’s fast-paced, doomscrolling world. (I’ll save that discussion for a future post!)

Fast forward to now—thanks to all the new subscribers joining us, I finally took the leap and purchased MasterMentee.com!

Choosing the Right Domain Provider

In my search for the best domain provider , I prioritized top-notch support, ease of use, and great value . I spent hours reading blog posts, searching on Perplexity and Google, and diving into countless Reddit threads. Even though it was a one-time cost and setup, I wanted everything to be perfect. Finally, I found the perfect match: Cloudflare.

If you’re unfamiliar with Cloudflare, here’s an eye-opening fact: “Cloudflare protects approximately 20% of the web, blocking an average of ~165 billion threats per day.” Impressive, right?

A Free Custom Email Address?

While researching, I discovered something even more exciting: you can set up a custom email address on your domain without paying extra! Yes, it’s true—I created keyul@mastermentee.com without any additional costs, thanks to Apple.

You might be wondering:

There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

Well, technically, this wasn’t entirely free, but here’s why it felt like one: I’ve been an iCloud+ subscriber for years. I had no idea that iCloud+ includes the ability to configure a custom email domain. Setting up my email through iCloud was a no-brainer.

Subscribe now

The Setup Process

What I loved most about this entire process was how seamless Apple and Cloudflare made it. From purchasing the domain to sending my first “Hello World” email, the setup took less than five minutes!

Surprisingly, linking my domain to Substack took longer than setting up the email. I had expected the reverse to be true! In total, the costs were:

$11.51 to Cloudflare for the domain
$0 to Apple for custom email
$50 to Substack for linking newsletter to domain

If you’re working on a project where you’ll need a domain and email setup, leave a comment on this post! I’d be happy to write a full guide on the process.

A Dedicated Email for You

With this new custom email, I’m now even more accessible to answer your questions. Feel free to reach out to me—I’ll do my best to provide thoughtful and helpful answers!

📧 Email: keyul@mastermentee.com

Looking forward to hearing from you all! 🚀

Originally published at https://mastermentee.com

DEV Community: Keyul Patel

How Employees Can Smartly Manage Their RSUs and Taxes

1. Sell to Cover

2. Cash Payment

3. Sell All

What if the employee isn’t living paycheck to paycheck?

So, what’s the solution?

Surviving (and Thriving) in Amazon’s Performance Review

Credit: Setup.us

Breaking Down the Review Process

Why Honest Feedback Matters

Final Thoughts: Make the Most of It

Credit: Giphy

How Improv Helped an Amazonian Overcome Stage Fear

Credit: DALL·E

What is Improv?

How I Found Improv

My First Improv Experience

Taking It a Step Further

The Big Challenge: Performing on Stage

Lessons (Re)Learned

Final Thoughts

Wish Someone Had Told Me This in School

Why Small Wins Matter More Than Big Breakthroughs?

Credit: DALL·E

The Hidden Formula for Long-Term Growth

School: The Safest Place to Learn

Life Is a Staircase—Are You Climbing or Just Running in Circles?

The Never-Ending Staircase

Credit: DALL·E

The Reality of Chasing Dreams

How Many More Steps Do You Want to Climb?

The Harsh Truth About Dreams

Enjoy the Step You’re On

Why Most People Never Take a Real Vacation (And How to Fix It)

Credit: DALL·E

But Most People Never Take Time Off

Work Won’t Miss You (But You’ll Miss Your Life)

The Hard Truth: Your Life Isn’t Meant to Be Lived Between Deadlines

The Lesson? Take the Damn Vacation.

The Ugly Truth About Success No One Wants to Admit

Credit: DALL·E

The Silent Epidemic of the Unhappy Elite

I Wanted to Be Like Them

Then, Burnout Hit Me Like a Truck

The Root of This Mental Mess

My Tiger Mom Was Wrong

What This Means for You

The New Plan: Chill Out

From Dream Big Tech Job to Harsh Reality

Credit: ChatGPT

The Beginning: Landing a Dream Job

The Unexpected Downturn

The Shift in Perspective

1. No Job is Truly "Stable"—Adaptability is Key

2. Dreams Change Once You Achieve Them

What’s Your Dream? Let's Talk!

A Clear Guide to AuthN, AuthZ, OIDC, OAuth and Their Role in Securing Applications

Credit: ChatGPT

What Is Authentication (AuthN)?

What Is Authorization (AuthZ)?

What Is OAuth (Open Authorization)?

What Is OIDC (OpenID Connect)?

How Do OAuth and OIDC Differ?

Why These Concepts Matter for Developers

Mentee Scored a First-Class Seat on Alaska Airlines for FREE

Surprising Free (First-Ever) First-Class Adventure

From Last Group Boarding to First Class Group

Unexpected Offer: First-Class Seat Swap

In-Flight Experience: First Class in Real-Time

The Morning After

How Changing Teams Can Accelerate Professional Growth at Amazon

What Worked for Me?

1. Networking:

2. Exploring Different Problem Spaces:

3. Knowledge Transfer Across Teams:

4. Asking Questions:

What’s Still a Struggle for Me?

1. Feeling the Pressure to Deliver Immediately:

2. Suggesting Ideas Openly: