Kevin Liao

About Kevin Liao

Hi there! My name is Kevin. By day, I’m a Software Engineer building large-scale backend systems and cloud infrastructure at Capital One. By night (or honestly, any free hour I can find), I’m a polyglot, mentor, and lifelong learner passionate about languages, culture, and helping others grow. I started programming in my sophomore year of high school after taking an introductory Java class. What began as curiosity quickly became a passion, leading me to pursue a degree in Computer Science, complete multiple software engineering internships, and ultimately work on distributed backend systems serving millions of users.🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Along the way, I discovered how much I love helping others navigate the tech world. Having gone through recruiting cycles, interview prep, late-night LeetCode grinds, and back-to-back CS exams, I know how overwhelming the journey can be. Today, I’m committed to paying it forward by mentoring students, sharing early-career advice, and empowering others to carve their own path in tech.⌚ What I’m currently working on: Deepening my expertise in scalable backend engineering, distributed systems, and AWS infrastructure (DynamoDB, ECS, Lambda, S3, Secrets Manager) Continuing to build my personal brand on LinkedIn through content on early-career development, tech recruiting, and productivity Helping students and peers leverage LinkedIn effectively, tell their stories authentically, and build confidence in their job search At Capital One, I work on the Consumer Identity team, where I build and scale systems that secure the identities of tens of millions of customers. I work across Java, Spring Boot, cloud-native AWS services, and performance-oriented backend systems like Mobile App Verification. My day-to-day includes engineering highly available services, optimizing distributed data flows, improving system scalability, and contributing to core infrastructure that powers Capital One’s identity platform. Fun facts Before studying computer science, I dreamed of becoming a professional clarinetist - I even performed at Carnegie Hall twice and competed in Maryland State ensembles. I’m also an avid language learner who speaks seven languages. Outside of engineering, you’ll find me learning new languages, talking to international students, or practicing conversation in a café.I’m passionate about blending engineering excellence with communication, mentorship, and global curiosity, using my voice to help others grow while continually leveling up as a backend engineer.

Experience

1. Fellow

   Linkedinorleftout Llc

   May 2025 — Present

   Provided personalized feedback on resumes and LinkedIn profiles to help students showcase their strengths.• Conducted mock technical interviews to prepare students for coding and behavioral assessments.• Guided mentees through the job search process and offered strategic advice tailored to their goals.• Shared insights on navigating internships, new grad roles, and building a strong early career foundation.• Helped students improve both technical problem-solving and professional communication skills.• Offered 1:1 mentorship to support mentees from all backgrounds, especially those who are underrepresented in tech.• Created a supportive, inclusive environment that encourages confidence and growth.• Inspired and empower the next generation of technologists to break into the industry with resilience and authenticity.

Education

• Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School

  High School Diploma

• University of Maryland

  Bachelor of Science - BS