For Aaron Brottman, giving back isn’t just a personal passion — it’s a patriotic act.
A senior software engineer at Microsoft with nearly two decades of experience in the tech industry, Aaron also volunteers with Upwardly Global, helping immigrant and refugee job seekers navigate the often-challenging world of technical interviews.
“I’m privileged and lucky that my career hasn’t been interrupted by conflict and war or the need to leave my home,” Aaron reflected. “I’m excited to help others who aren’t as fortunate in that regard.”
Understanding the Challenge From Both Sides
Aaron began his career developing software. Throughout his career, Aaron has consistently interviewed software engineering candidates, so he’s deeply aware of how demanding and opaque the tech hiring process can be.
It is this unique perspective that makes his volunteer work with Upwardly Global so impactful. Since 2019, Aaron has regularly conducted mock interviews and informational sessions for 27 job seekers.
“I’ve met people from all over the world, including Afghanistan, Turkey, Cuba, Russia, and Ukraine. Everyone wants the same thing: to do good work, to use their skills, and to support their families,” he said.
Building Tools To Level the Playing Field
Aaron doesn’t just give his time; he created his own tools to better help job seekers. During his time volunteering at Upwardly Global, he developed a mock interview curriculum and resources, designed to demystify the expectations of U.S. tech companies.
“I walk people through what’s expected in a software engineering interview,” he explained.
“What is expected of a candidate in a job interview can be very different from what is expected of a software engineer day to day. The process can be bizarre. It often involves coding complicated algorithms on the fly without resources, which demands practice and study. By giving mock interviews and providing resources, I can help level the playing field.”
Seeing Success Stories Unfold
One of Aaron’s fondest memories at Upwardly Global happened when he was asked to conduct a mock interview with a job seeker preparing for an interview with a company she deeply admired.
“We had a great conversation. I gave her feedback, and a few weeks later, I saw on LinkedIn that she got the job. What more can you hope for?” he said.
Aaron has been genuinely awed by the global talent he has had the privilege of meeting.
“I once met a job seeker who had been a chief economist at a national bank,” he recalled. “To help someone like that apply their talents here in the U.S. is a great privilege.”
What makes volunteering with Upwardly Global unique, Aaron says, is the thoughtful matching process.
“I’m meeting people who are trying to do the exact thing I’ve done. I can give them very specialized guidance,” he said.
Small Time Investment, Lasting Impact
Though he typically volunteers once a month, the long-term impact is undeniable.
“You can affect a lot of people over time without burning out,” Aaron explained. “It doesn’t require a lot of time to make a big impact. Most of them have the skills; they just need some direction and practice.”
For Aaron, helping immigrant and refugee professionals isn’t just fulfilling — it’s essential. Looking ahead, he hopes Upwardly Global continues to offer opportunities for volunteers like him to make a meaningful difference, especially in today’s politically charged climate.
“Immigration has always been a politically complex topic, but I hope that by helping immigrants succeed, we can contribute positively to the conversation,” he said. “Immigrants have always done incredible things in America and always will.”
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