📸 "I build frameworks...I build apps on top of Apps!" - Michael Frohberg
By: Denise Florentino
In a recent interview in New York City, Michael Frohberg shared insights into his journey in the tech industry, highlighting his unique knowledge and experience. Frohberg began his career in television production, working on shows like Top Chef, Making the Band, and The Apprentice. His fascination with the iPhone, upon its release, led him to pursue mobile development at Full Sail University. Despite initial doubts about the viability of app development, he discovered boot camps and enrolled in a web development immersive program, which paved the way for his career in tech.
Frohberg's focus on startups and integration during his studies led to a job opportunity with 2U. He later became a UX developer, marking a significant milestone in his career. His expertise lies in building frameworks rather than just applications, a skill he honed starting in 2013 when the industry was ripe with opportunities. Frohberg worked for Infosys, frequently traveling between New York and San Francisco, and was inspired by a friend at Facebook to engage with the General Assembly (GA).
Networking and knowledge exchange have been crucial to Frohberg's success. He emphasizes the importance of a broad skill set, particularly in the current tech climate. His primary programming language is JavaScript, with a preference for TypeScript, which he believes enhances tech safety and simplifies testing.
Also, the podcast hosts
, discussed the growing importance of TypeScript over JavaScript in the industry. BobbyD highlighted the challenges with Python's lack of strict data type enforcement, which can lead to issues in code validation.Transform Your Future in AI & Automation! - Join the #TTH | Academy 🎓
Ready to level up your tech skills? #TheTechHustle Academy is your gateway to mastering AI, automation, and real-world tech projects in a hands-on, 16-week cohort-based bootcamp. Learn to build cutting-edge applications, integrate AI workflows, and boost your career—while connecting with a community that speaks your language.
Frohberg is recognized as a Senior Engineer at the Staff Principal level, a role that involves mentorship and leadership. He shared his rewarding experience working with Understood.com and Andela, where he provided valuable feedback and embraced peer programming.
As one of the few Black principal engineers, Frohberg has faced challenges in being taken seriously and having his voice heard in the decision-making process. He consistently justifies his role and contributions, explaining how some engineers have paved the way to make progress easier, but emphasizes that there are still not enough diverse voices in the field. Despite these obstacles, he continues to build frameworks and applications, exploring new areas like Kubernetes containerization and AI.
Frohberg recently participated in a Wayfair hackathon focused on generative AI, where he proposed an automated AI code review system. He believes AI is here to stay and sees its potential in enhancing code writing and in the verification processes.
Looking ahead, Frohberg is committed to supporting the next generation of tech professionals and emphasizes the importance of continuous learning. He advises people of color to work hard and adapt to different environments, jokingly saying you often need to "code switch."
Currently, Frohberg is focused on content creation and public speaking, aiming to share his knowledge and experiences with a broader audience.
Connect with Michael on LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfrohberg/
…want MORE - catch all new episodes on https://www.youtube.com/@thetechhustle
🔥🔥🔥