Our Team’s Point of View – How to Build a Successful Career in the IT World
Henry Ford’s quote, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself,” is one of our personal favorite quotes on teamwork.
Because it’s true: Teamwork has the incredible power to increase productivity, job satisfaction, and even each person’s individual performance.
To inspire you to embark on a journey through the IT world, together with our team, we have prepared an interview that covers a few frequently asked questions and concerns.
Below you can read what we talked about, our experiences and impressions so far, as well as important tips on the IT industry that can help you.
What attracted you the most to the world of programming, can you tell us more about the very beginning of your career?
As someone who started his formal education in a completely different profession, I started programming relatively late. However, I have always had affinities with what this job requires and offers, so at one point I realized that programming is what I want to do. After that, it was easy to decide and choose a career as a programmer.
For a start, I can’t say that it was difficult, but certainly challenging, because it represents an entry into a new world of people, terminology, and technology, but I already knew that this is what I want to do and very quickly I felt like I was for a long-time part of it all.
What’s the thing you like the most about your job, what are the challenges you face daily?
From the very beginning in this business, I was attracted by the challenges of solving problems that arise every day. I experience this every working day as an opportunity to feel valuable and satisfied when I overcome a new challenge. Then I can see the result in front of me.
Every day is different and specific because it is an opportunity for new knowledge and obstacles, but in the end, there is always a sense of satisfaction with the results achieved.
The main goal of this interview is to bring the juniors in the field of the IT industry closer to what it looks like to do this job and what they can expect in their career. What is your advice to your future colleagues who want to enter the world of programming and build their careers?
I have noticed that colleagues new to this business have fear or insecurity and doubt whether they can do something. I want to tell them that these beginnings should not scare them and that it is all a process that takes time and perseverance. They need to have faith in their ability to acquire new knowledge and overcome new obstacles. This is a job that, in addition to knowledge, also requires critical thinking and creating solutions.
They need to improve their knowledge and not be afraid to take the initiative. It is a process that brings results, and the results again create new self-confidence and enthusiasm for further work.
We work in a fast-paced industry, where we have to stay up-to-date with the technology changes and future trends. Career advancement requires additional engagement and dedication to learning new skills. This often results in more time spent at work as well as various types of training which usually means less time for yourself. How do you deal with that?
As much as I like the job I do, I try to leave it all behind at the end of the workday and recharge my batteries for the next day. In general, I try to keep my workday at a certain pace that does not tire me and at the same time makes me the most productive.
What advice would you give to your colleagues when it comes to their personal and professional development?
I think everyone has a different process and way of learning and developing. Practical work helped me the most during my studies. The most important thing for beginners in this business is accepting new challenges and learning new things.
IT companies usually provide many benefits that motivate employees to be better and more productive at work. What motivates you at Elephant Solutions?
The atmosphere that greeted me in the company made the beginning of work and the period of getting used to and learning much easier. It certainly means a lot to go to work where there is a healthy and pleasant atmosphere. In addition to organized gatherings and joint activities, most of us share some interests that connect us, so it is much easier to have a motive to work and stay when it is in an environment that is pleasant to work and socialize.
To overcome professional challenges, we need a lot of energy which we usually exploit from various sources that satisfy us. Do you think that one of the key sources is the team you work for, friendly relations in the team?
As we have already said, I think this is the key thing that makes Elephant Solutions a healthy work environment. It is not uncommon for people to gather again in their free time after a whole day at work, which I think proves that there is a positive atmosphere and friendly relations.
How important is the team, the working atmosphere and why?
What makes us happy when we do our job is the moment, we see the results of our together work. It is very important. I think that applies to everyone and not just to me personally. When you know that you have people in the team that you can rely on at any time, it reduces the pressure on everyone. That means that I can fully dedicate myself to solving a problem, knowing that I have a team with me that is equally dedicated.
If it were not for that, it would very quickly harm the relations in the team and the results achieved. I think that effects of working together bring good relations, which contribute to better performance.
And finally, tell us, if you had to describe your experience at Elephant Solutions in one sentence, what would that sentence be?
Elephant Solutions is the ideal environment for any ambitious programmer to express themselves through their individuality and through this process contribute to their development and collective success and spend quality time at work and outside. All in all, my final impression could be summed up like this – “I’d do it again”.
We want you to build careers that last and that will help you stay healthy, happy, and productive because only careers that fit into the wider context of your life are sustainable. We hope that our story inspired you to challenge yourself daily. Who knows, you might be surprised by how far you can go!
Also, we invite you to share your experience with us. We would be happy to learn something more about good practices. So, feel free to send us your suggestions at support@elephantsolutions.net.