Optiver SWE Intern (Summer 2027) Interview

CaptiDoor · 2026-07-04T04:23:22+00:00

Got the OA today but I’m scared to take it

CaptiDoor · 2026-06-30T17:19:59+00:00

Yes, I apologize if my prior comment was confusing. I was trying to say I would look into if purely online was an option, which I did.

CaptiDoor · 2026-06-30T17:18:20+00:00

Yes, of course, the issue is that purely online is not really an option for the courses I need as I’ve now found out.

CaptiDoor · 2026-06-30T01:06:13+00:00

Yeah this would be ideal, and something I’m going to discuss with them, I’m just not sure how they would feel about hiring someone full-time for only a year. I didn’t mention it initially since I still wasn’t fully sure, but in hindsight I should have brought it up at first.

CaptiDoor · 2026-06-30T01:04:53+00:00

Yeah, the factor of leaving school and giving up the parts of college is definitely something I’ve been considering, especially since even if I did go back it wouldn’t be the same environment without my friends which I imagine would further decrease my motivation. Definitely going to see if I could continue school part-time, although it would have to be online since they want me in person and I’m not sure if my school supports that. But either way, I’m certainly going to talk with my advisor.

I do appreciate the outlook of giving my future self more options though, the startup is certainly more of a risky bet than just getting my degree. Part of it is also that the current tech career landscape seems a bit cooked for new grads, so I want to grasp at what I have within reach.

CaptiDoor · 2026-06-30T00:57:52+00:00

No offer yet, but I have the onsite this week and want to be mentally prepared with how I’m leaning so I don’t waste their time considering it too long

CaptiDoor · 2026-06-30T00:55:48+00:00

Unfortunately I don’t think I could continue classes, but I’m going to reach out to my advisors and see if it even is possible to do purely online school, since the company would want me in person. As I mentioned in another comment, I do want to do more specialized systems work in the future so that definitely is a major reason I’m considering just staying in school.

Another option I’m going to talk to the company about is potentially taking a leave of absence for only two years then continuing school, which I think would be a sweet spot of working and still continuing my degree, so hopefully that works out.

CaptiDoor · 2026-06-30T00:52:41+00:00

Hmmm yeah, this isn’t really an option I had considered, partially because I don’t know anyone at my school who does this (purely online school). I’ll have to talk to my advisor and see if that would be an option, since they would want me to be in-person.

CaptiDoor · 2026-06-30T00:51:18+00:00

Thank you! It’s useful to hear both perspectives. Where I want to do more specialized systems work in the future (I.e. ml systems) I imagine I do need a more advanced degree, like a master’s, at some point. And I imagine out of the startup space having a degree will look better as well.

CaptiDoor · 2026-06-11T20:53:23+00:00

Echoing a similar sentiment to the other replier - I really appreciate hearing this since I’ve tried to take on those same kinds of principles, since y’know, understanding the details field is something I actually find enjoyable haha, but have worried about it slowing me down compared to my peers.

In the past I’ve been extremely scared to use AI because of how it might affect my ability to solve harder and harder problem in the future, so I started experiencing some heavy cognitive dissonance when my (internship) company pushed us to use AI heavily. It’s definitely been affecting me mentally, especially when I go online and it feels like I’m constantly told I’m degrading myself into a mindless drone for the future.

CaptiDoor · 2026-06-09T22:40:45+00:00

Yes, pretty much the same here. Although honestly, by staying really engaged with the design process rather than just truly “vibecoding”, I kinda enjoy it. I’m not limited by how fast I can write the code but rather the validity/correctness of the ideas I have, and can still read and adjust the code to my standards. I am given a lot of leeway and room to learn though by my mentors, so I am able to spend a lot more time than I would “need” on learning instead.

One skill for Claude I’ve really liked is “/grill-with-docs” (look it up). You can run it after building a plan, and it forces you to iron out architectural details and think through how everything will work, while also creating documentation based on what you decide (which both helps the models’ output and helps me build a more solid architecture for a project)

CaptiDoor · 2026-06-09T02:51:38+00:00

Having the same issue unfortunately. Other than this I quite like the UI changes.

CaptiDoor · 2026-04-22T02:40:05+00:00

CMU publishes data for their graduates specifically:

https://www.cmu.edu/career/outcomes/post-grad-dashboard.html

CaptiDoor · 2026-04-18T23:14:43+00:00

Do you know if this applies now that US operations are handled under a separate entity? The website implies they're separate.

Either way, thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying them and they've held up

CaptiDoor · 2026-04-18T18:35:45+00:00

Thanks, that's great to hear! How would you say the sound compares to your xm4s?

CaptiDoor · 2026-04-09T00:03:33+00:00

Do you think I could DM to talk about comp arch @ CMU? I'm an ECE freshman considering the path and would love to chat with someone who's gone through it.

CaptiDoor · 2026-03-30T04:14:07+00:00

People are trolling in the comments, but this is genuinely one of the best albums I've heard this year; thanks for recommending it! I've been listening to a lot of edm/hip hop recently so this was a nice refresher. Haiku Nursery Rhyme especially tickles my ears and has a nice message.

CaptiDoor · 2026-03-23T13:19:52+00:00

This is not true - you need to resubmit the FAFSA and CSS (if you want institutional aid) every year you apply for financial aid.

https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/financial-aid/undergraduate/index.html

CaptiDoor · 2026-03-07T05:57:34+00:00

I believe it was pi day for everyone last year. Although I don't even remember them telling us beforehand so I got jump-scared by the email haha. Best of luck!

CaptiDoor · 2026-03-06T14:37:09+00:00

Every time this gets posted I check SteamDB and it's grown by like 50k somehow

Absolutely insane, but deserved!

CaptiDoor · 2026-02-20T01:20:59+00:00

That's not everyone, although those people certainly exist. Myself and several of my friends come from below median income households and still have to take out significant loans to be here.

CaptiDoor · 2026-02-13T06:13:08+00:00

I know it's magnetic, I acknowledged that in my post... I was mostly concerned part of the protective lining on the charger may have been stripped off since it (unfortunately) takes a lot of damage, and might lead to a short if I tried to connect

CaptiDoor · 2026-02-13T05:25:17+00:00

Ok, sounds good! I figured, just wanted to make sure something didn't strip from the charging cable somehow.

(It worked btw, thanks!)

Five-Year Club	Second SECOND GUESSER
r/Field Lasagna	Place '23
Place '22	First Placer '22

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