Daria Nesvitailo, Senior Software Engineer: “In the community, you meet like-minded people and spend unforgettable time with them”

— Who did you dream of being as a child?

— I dreamed of being a doctor. I’ve always thought about helping people. In addition, at that time my grandmother was ill, and I really wanted to cure her.

— How important is the support of the family in becoming a person and a professional? Were you supported in choosing a career path?

— I think support is essential, but I didn’t have it. My development was based on a personal desire to reach the goal because I decided so. It all depends on the person: if one lacks the inner strength and will to go for it, then believing and saying the right words are crucial.

— Why did you start doing what you do now?

— From an early age, I loved to fix technology. It seemed to me that it was exactly the programmer’s job.

— What are the most important qualities in your profession?

— The most important things are perseverance and patience. You need to have the desire to solve the problem in spite of everything, look for solutions to the problem, and achieve the desired result. There must be true love for this field.

— What does your workday look like?

— I work remotely. One of the routine processes is daily calls to employees. I connect with other teams, help them, and guide them. There are many requests for mentoring, which I am actively doing. After giving advice, recommendations, and all the pep talk, I sit down to do my tasks. I would compare my work with painting: I need complete peace so that no one distracts me. Evenings and nights are the best time to do my job.

— What challenges do you encounter in your work?

— Over six years of experience, I have gained a clear understanding of how to solve certain problems. Therefore, I do not have daily challenges. Now I have a week at Support production, the schedule of which is different from mine. I must tune in and react quickly. I do not perceive tasks as something complicated. When there is a goal, and I need to achieve it — it’s very exciting. It’s more like a game, or a quest.

— What is the most difficult part of your job?

— Probably overcoming the first two years — the making of the developer. At first, you have no idea what is going on. In such conditions, it is difficult to hold on and not give up. Many leave the profession due to a lack of perseverance. Others start programming only for money. These people are usually done in six months. There are no hopeless situations, I know that for sure. One always has an option of turning to more experienced people for help and working things out.

— What do you like most about your work?

— Work is interesting when there is no routine. We used to see our parents coming home tired from work and realizing that tomorrow would be the same. Nothing turns me off as routine does. Every day is a new task, a different perspective, the search for keys, new knowledge. Never a dull moment, because everything is changing constantly.

— What trends in your field, in your opinion, are the most relevant?

— Many companies are shifting toward microservices architecture and cloud solutions. I started preparing for AWS certification due to the understanding that it needed to be done. It is important to systematically monitor the market with a view to trends.

— How does one start studying your profession?

— In my fifth year at university, I started studying Java from books. After studying the theory, I found my first job. At this time, I realized that mere knowledge is not enough — you need to be able to structure it in order to apply it in practice. I took courses that didn’t give me anything. It took experience, and job switches to learn how to operate theory. Innovecs has given me 80% of the knowledge I have today. When a person really wants something, one will absorb knowledge like a sponge.

— What tools help you stay productive?

— Coffee sets me in the right mood. I put all the tasks in the calendar — so I make sure I haven’t forgotten anything. In the browser, the tabs are open by priority — in the exact order, my tasks should be completed. I keep everything in view. A self-discipline is an important tool too. When I open my eyes in the morning, I tell myself that the task must be done, end of story. Neither mood nor distracting factors matter anymore.

— Do you have new hobbies/hobbies/activities since joining Innovecs?

— Thanks to Innovecs, table football appeared came into my life. My friend, who works with me on the project, and I decided to find something that would take our minds off work. Eventually, we started playing so well that we won over everyone else. After that, I participated in tournaments outside the company. In other words, Innovecs has opened a new occupation for me, which I really like.

— Is there a work/life balance and clear boundaries between work and life outside it?

— I started thinking about it about eight months ago. Before that, I knew nothing about balance. Because I worked 16 hours a day, I had both burnout and clinical depression. I think that at the beginning of a career, such a regime is inevitable. You would hate to be worse than others, so you invest more time and effort. I compare my reality with the plane that reached the flight level. Everything is settled, and now I can work quietly in a comfort mode, taking care of myself.

— Where are you looking for inspiration?

— I love to travel. I like when new pictures and colors appear in my mind. Changing the atmosphere helps you to see your life from outside, and sort of “try it on” in another place on earth. New thoughts and ideas appear, and you return home different, fresh, and inspired.

— What are you studying today, and what would you like to learn in the future?

— I would like to be a team lead and a mentor. That is, I am learning to teach. I remember how difficult it was for me, and I look at newcomers, putting myself in their shoes. People who are just trying their hand at the profession require ease of delivery and keeping things simple. Back in the day, the execution of tasks was enough for me, today I try to be an architect — I’m looking for something that can be improved and offer my own solutions. To do this, you need to learn to think more broadly.

— What motivates you to stay at Innovecs?

— I really like our events, during which the company recognizes the achievements of employees and rewards them. It’s nice when they notice your efforts. Even small attentions indicate that your work is not in vain. For example, these interviews help to understand a lot about yourself and give a chance to analyze your answers. It’s very engaging. In the community, you meet like-minded people and spend unforgettable time with them.

— What do you dream about today?

— I want to find Mr. Right. Due to work, I did not let people into my personal space — it was an informed decision. And I dream of a round-the-world voyage.

— What makes you happy?

— Recently I realized that I love to be happy, and I do my best for it. For example, I have learned to remove everything toxic from my life. It’s vital for me to love my job and get inspired by it. Every little thing makes me happy — the opportunity to go out for coffee, to live in an apartment on the bank of the Dnipro, or to travel. In the past, I didn’t appreciate what I had. If you pay attention closely, one thing becomes obvious — you have everything to enjoy life.