Different Country, Same Passion @Scout24: Meet Christopher Ward
Christopher Ward is an Android Developer at Scout24, who moved from London to Berlin to start his job with us. His connection with Germany is a strong one and has an even longer history. We sat down with him to find out why he loves his job at Scout24, as well as the city of Berlin, so passionately.
Hi Chris, Prior to working at Scout24, you were based in London. Where are you from originally?
Chris: Where I’m from is a very long story! I was born in Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia) in a British army hospital, but then moved to the UK when I was seven years old. I lived in the Midlands before moving south for University, finally ending up in London. I moved to Berlin just over two years ago.
What’s your role at Scout24? And what does your team focus on?
Chris: I’m an Android Developer for the Consumer Journey segment. I work in a team of other Android and iOS developers. Our job is to make sure the mobile app is useful and efficient (both in terms of user experience and of running on your phone/tablet), and to implement new features to help you find your next home.
What’s been most rewarding about being an Android Developer at Scout24?
Chris: I am self-taught in Android and have only ever worked since for small companies and startups. Working at the team in Scout24 means that I’m immersed with other experts, making it easier to learn new and cool things quickly.
But the absolutely most rewarding bit is that the team is absolutely lovely and very caring. Big companies are often criticised as being bulky and anonymous, but at Scout it really feels close-knit.
My teammates are also my friends, and it's a pleasure to go to work in the morning, which is intensely rewarding. Also, I love animals, so the office dogs are a real treat!
During your time here, what has been a standout project for you? Your biggest achievement so far?
Chris: I’ve not been here very long but the app rebrand was a really good example of how the team works well together. I’ve worked on many rebrands in the past and they never normally go as smoothly as they did at Scout24. Getting that completed in time for Christmas was really rewarding.
What’s one of the major differences between working in London and working at Scout24 in Berlin?
Chris: Scout24 is, luckily, still in a country that’s within the European Union! Other than that, there are the key German vs British differences. Employees here are treated much better and afforded far more rights than in the UK and, despite what some might think, I’m certain this is a key reason Germans are one of the most productive workforces in the world.
Do you have any advice for people who are thinking about moving to Berlin to work in tech?
Chris: Do it. You absolutely won’t regret it and, even if you do, you can always move back. For those thinking about it, apply for jobs first (the process for my first job was done entirely over Skype) and then when you have the offer, you can make the move.
German bureaucracy is formidable, but not impossible, and there are plenty of English speakers who’ll help you register as a resident and other administrative things. Moving countries is a really daunting prospect but the pros outweigh the cons. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.
What do you like the most about living and working in Berlin?
Chris: Two things really. First of all, Berlin is a wonderfully tolerant and liberal city where people can be who they want to be. It’s a very LGBT+ friendly city and I love that people from all backgrounds, origins, religions (and none) all get along well together.
Secondly, it’s a city that is bursting with history and it bears its scars with a determination that the problems of the past should not be forgotten or repeated. As the focal point for many events that happened in the 20th century, it’s a city that has seen a lot of hardship, but it has always managed to come out on top. It’s a resilient city with lovely people. That’s precisely the reason I wanted to live here and why I’m proud to call myself a Berliner.
If you want to know more about moving to Germany, check out Chris’ Twitter @BrexileInBerlin, where he talks about finding a job in Germany, settling in, learning the language and more.
