Now, a few years have passed at Mylab, learning about the healthcare laboratories and the principles of software product development. What has Taneli’s path been like as a software developer at the beginning of his career at Mylab?
Diving into the world of genetics
Taneli immediately got involved in a genetics project and started programming. Before working at Mylab, he had not been exposed to the operations of healthcare laboratories or genetics, so there was a lot to learn.
However, the technology stack of the project was familiar to Taneli from his studies. From the beginning, the job has involved full-stack development, which all software specialists in the genetics project do with the Kotlin-React stack.
“In our team, everyone does everything, which ensures that knowledge or skills are not personified and job roles remain diverse.”
The fact that the operations of healthcare laboratories or genetics were not previously familiar fields did not slow down the young software developer’s initiative or development. Taneli has absorbed a lot of new knowledge about both the domain and technologies, made possible by the team around him.
“In addition to experienced developers, our team includes application specialist Harri, who, as a domain expert, knows and understands the client’s operating environment and can communicate the client’s needs precisely to the rest of the team.”
The role of feedback in professional development
From the beginning, it has been important for Taneli to develop his skills and build his confidence as a software developer. Active feedback has been very essential for development. It has been available appropriately from the start:
“I have received a lot of good feedback in reviews and discussions. I also dare to ask because I want to get thoughts on how I could improve in software development.”
The team talks a lot and actively. This has also kept the threshold for asking questions low. Taneli boldly contacts his team if he wants to bounce ideas, for example, about a feature being developed.
“The team’s atmosphere encourages asking questions. I haven’t had to fear making mistakes and showing them.”
Everyone encounters situations where their code needs to be improved. In such cases, Taneli believes that one should not let their ego get in the way but continue working to improve the code.
“On the other hand, colleagues’ expectations have been realistic regarding the level of code produced with my experience. It has also felt good to solve tricky problems and exceed my own skills. These are the best moments of development.”
What has Taneli learned that can’t be gained from studies?
The biggest lessons have definitely been getting acquainted with application architecture and expanding the understanding of what software development really is when creating large deliverable software.
In practical work, he has been able to grow his understanding of what an application’s structure is like, how it is organized, and what different responsibilities it includes to keep it coherent.
“In studies, projects usually started from scratch. It is quite different to do software development where you expand and improve an existing system that may have been in use for a long time.”
A flexible and appreciative workplace for software developers in the beginning of their careers
Mylab has been a good place to start a career in software development, according to Taneli.
“The team and work community have been positive about studying alongside work. In many matters, they are accommodating and flexible.”
It has been particularly great to notice in everyday work that everyone’s contribution is equally important, regardless of years of work experience. According to him, the team does not consciously distinguish its’ members between junior and senior developers. With a few years of work experience already under his belt, Taneli no longer really feels like a junior developer.
“I can now make decisions more independently. It has also boosted my self-esteem when I have received encouraging feedback from more experienced colleagues that I can solve equally difficult problems as the more experienced ones.”
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