#1 Behind the Scenes at valantic Romania: A Day in the Life of a Front-end Developer

1. How many years ago have you joined valantic? How did your journey with valantic Romania start??

I'll soon be celebrating my first year with valantic! :D I joined after working with my current team for six months. During that time, I learned a lot about the valantic values and thoroughly enjoyed being part of the team, so we made it official.?

2. What do you believe that makes valantic stand out in the industry??

I believe valantic stands out because the company prioritizes delivering reliable and high-performance digital products while maintaining a warm yet professional atmosphere when supporting our clients. These aspects are, in my opinion, the most important in establishing trust and fostering long-term relationships. By ensuring that our clients feel valued and understood, we not only meet their immediate needs but also anticipate future challenges and opportunities, creating a foundation for sustained success and mutual growth.

3. What are the core valantic values that you appreciate the most??

I’ve always appreciated that everyone here is so human and friendly, and that showing empathy for colleagues is always encouraged.

4. How do you stay productive and focused throughout the day?

I put on headphones, not to listen to music, but to use them as earplugs because I need silence to focus. When I'm in the zone, even a Slack notification can be startling.

5. What is one working setup that you consider to be the most productive? (hybrid, remote, office)?

I started my career in this industry during the pandemic. So for me, remote work has been the most productive as I've grown accustomed to my home workstation and the quiet environment. However, I've recently been making an effort to go to the office more often because being around colleagues can boost productivity and socialization is important.

6. How do you stay updated with the latest development trends in your field?/ What resources (books, websites, courses) do you recommend for continuous learning?

I usually read articles or watch various YouTube videos for news. If I want to learn more about a specific topic, I read more articles or purchase courses on Udemy. The "You Don't Know JS" and "You Don't Know JS Yet" book series by Kyle Simpson are my absolute favorites for JavaScript. I've read them multiple times and believe every JS developer should read them at least once in their career.

7. What are some common challenges you face as a programmer and how do you approach problem-solving when you encounter a difficult bug or issue?

As a front-end developer, the most common challenges are often related to CSS. Investigating difficult and unusual bugs is my favorite part of the job. The best approach is to spend time to first identify the exact causes and frequency of the issue before writing any code. It's crucial to understand the depth of the problem rather than just applying a quick fix, as patching it can lead to more related issues in the future, which will become exponentially more difficult to resolve.

8. Can you describe a typical project you work on? What are the most common industries for which you usually implement solutions??

Currently, I'm working for a client that sells a wide range of chemical products used in various industries. In our Cluj office, we focus on projects involving SAP Commerce. These projects typically include developing and optimizing e-commerce platforms to manage product listings, customer interactions, and transactions efficiently.

9. How do you see the role of a programmer advancing during the next few years, considering the evolution of AI nowadays?

I believe AI is an important tool designed to make our lives easier, not to cause fear. Accessing information quickly is and will continue to become more effortless. Being a programmer doesn't require memorizing much; it requires knowing how to use the right tools to solve problems. AI will become the most powerful tool in a programmer's toolbox, enhancing our ability to innovate and streamline our workflows.

10. What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a programmer??

Ensure you have a genuine love for learning and a passion for problem-solving. These qualities will not only make you a proficient programmer but also lead to a fulfilling and enjoyable career in software development.