From Coding Bootcamp to Software Development Engineer; Meet Karolina
Karolina, you’re currently a Software Development Engineer here at GoCardless, but you didn’t study Computer Science?
That’s right! I studied Social Anthropology at university, which feels pretty far removed from what I do on a daily basis here at GC most of the time. However, sometimes I think it allows me to approach problems from a different perspective. It also definitely made me good at research, which I do a lot of in my current team (Data Platform).
I began teaching myself coding halfway through university, influenced by a friend who is a software engineer, and made it sound like a really interesting profession. Moreover, my pursuit of a BA at university made me realise I desired a more STEM-oriented path after graduation, as I found it to be more fulfilling.
Once I was certain about pursuing software engineering, I began saving up for a bootcamp and enrolled in one as soon as my exams were over!
Talk me through the Coding Bootcamp and what you learned whilst there.
The bootcamp was a really cool experience, the highlight was definitely the opportunity to collaborate with others. Prior to the bootcamp, I had never engaged in team coding projects, thus missing out on the chance to articulate my ideas or review others’ code. These two skills have become crucial in my daily work and are the most valuable takeaways from the bootcamp.
The structure of the bootcamp emphasised pairing with other students, making communication as important as coding practice. We also attended workshops covering soft skills, in addition to technical ones. Furthermore, we were afforded the opportunity to conceive and execute a project from scratch within a team setting, which closely resembled professional work environments. I recall this experience being a significant talking point during job interviews, so overall, I believe the bootcamp was a great investment and learning experience.
The bootcamp played a crucial role in me landing an internship at GC. It provided me with an experience closely resembling that of working in a professional setting as a software engineer, while also enhancing my existing technical skills.
Being an intern at GC was an incredible experience! I was fortunate to be placed in a wonderful team with warm, intelligent, and fun people to work with.
What was your experience of being an Intern at GoCardless?
Being an intern at GC was an incredible experience! I was fortunate to be placed in a wonderful team with warm, intelligent, and fun people to work with. I felt completely at ease asking questions and seeking help whenever necessary. The open communication allowed me to learn quickly while also allowing me to take my time with more challenging tasks. I was also frequently provided with feedback, which was instrumental in guiding my approach to learning. In short, I felt like I was set up for success from day one.
I don’t recall exactly when during my internship I first pushed code to production, but it didn’t take long. I quickly felt like a valuable contributor and a part of the team.
I would wholeheartedly recommend being a software engineering intern at GC to anyone interested in pursuing this as a career.
What does your current role involve?
My current role as a Software Development Engineer involves much of what my internship entailed. However, once I was retained permanently, I transitioned to the Data Platform team.
The Data Platform team differs from most of the engineering teams at GC in that our customers are other engineers at GC rather than external customers. The role itself involves maintaining data tooling and data pipelines through code contributions, monitoring systems using dashboards and logs, and writing documentation (a lot of documentation).
Day-to-day, this involves problem-solving through research, coding, and collaboration with teammates. It also entails reviewing code and attending meetings to update each other on our progress and engage in discussions regarding our roadmap.
What would you say is the biggest learning you have, from the transition from Bootcamp to Software Engineer?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that software engineering, especially within my current team, encompasses much more than just coding. The majority of my day is dedicated to researching technologies, exploring potential solutions to problems, and communicating with colleagues. While some of this may result in coding, the essence of this job revolves around numerous other skills. I believe that attending a bootcamp was a good alternative to studying computer science at university due to the emphasis on communication and teamwork inherent in software engineering. Furthermore, I would argue that my degree has proven helpful in honing some of these skills, which came as a pleasant surprise as I initially didn’t expect to utilise much from my academic background.
The culture at GC is by far my favourite aspect of the company. It’s truly a pleasure to work in an environment filled with friendly and intelligent individuals.
What’s the culture like at GoCardless?
The culture at GC is by far my favourite aspect of the company. It’s truly a pleasure to work in an environment filled with friendly and intelligent individuals. I would characterise the culture as exceptionally welcoming, yet also as a space where you’re encouraged to continuously improve yourself, enabling you to consistently exceed your own expectations.
There’s not much more to add to that; it’s everything you’d desire in a workplace. You can have fun while also advancing your career and positioning yourself in a great spot professionally.
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