Staying Current: An interview with a UI Developer

I’ve recently had the pleasure of dealing with an experienced software professional who I’ve been assisting of late with securing a new role. A PHP professional earlier on in his career, but since then he has worked with backend languages such as Ruby and some of the recent JavaScript frameworks such as React and Angular.

When engaging with me he was really clear about what he wanted, ideally a role where he could work on brand new projects in a team environment working with the latest technology - the job criteria of most current day software pro’s.

So we are close to securing him a position and we are at the stage where the company has asked me to do reference checks. The candidate gave me the contact details of 2 of his previous Software Managers. I have to say, I really enjoyed taking these references and both referee’s highlight a number of good qualities and also some constructive comments. One quality that stood out for me was this; “I have had the pleasure of hiring him on more than one occasion, and one thing that amazes me is how “current” he manages to keep his skill set”.

I thought this was an interesting trait.

In some cases, developers are in fortunate positions where they work for a company who move with the times – are always adopting the latest technologies, or updating best practices – while others can find themselves perhaps working for a company relying on older technology. Looking over this candidate’s CV – it did read a bit like someone who changes tech stack in order to stay current.

So why am I telling you? Chris, get to the point!!!!

I decided to do a short interview with the developer on his skill set and how he “Stays Current”. So here we go...

Chris?: Some great references taken from your previous managers, do you realise that you keep your skill set current, or is it all an accident?

Developer?: When you have passion for what you do, I think it's a natural process, it is not something forceful it just happens. For example, in the past few years, the drive to play around with new technologies comes mostly from curiosity to see if I can grasp the concept, see how it compares to my existing skill set, or how fun it is. It is time consuming and never ending, but it is very enticing. I have this pet project, where I consider it my personal playground. In the past 3 years, I’ve upgraded the technologies on that project so many times, the approach no longer has any resemblance to the original, although its purpose and functionality remains somewhat the same.   

Chris?: So, when did you first start writing code and where did your interest in technology come from? 

Developer?: I first started writing code sometime in 1999 or 2000, at the time I was learning how to write IRC scripts for a Macintosh client called Ircle. I continued to write system scripts for Mac Os 9.x (before the Mac OS X revolution), mostly to play around with voice commands. I would speak to my computer to play music, open a browser, go to irc, etc. It rapidly evolved to playing around with simple html pages and animated gifs.

 For the second question, I need to introduce some context, I believe the place where I was born and my family influenced me in my interest for technology a lot. I’m from the Azores, Faial island. The Azores are an archipelago of 9 islands, in the middle of the Atlantic, in a way we are used to isolation. Until the widespread usage of the internet, TV and books were our windows into the world. 

I remember reading a book on “how to build your own fm/am radio” and trying to get all components to build it; it clearly stated that “you could get most of the components in your local hardware store”. But we were in Azores, I couldn’t get the components I needed. So I started reading more and more. By this time the internet had arrived on the island, and with it access to information. I never got to build that radio, but I did dismantle a few telephones around the house, old computers, old radios that “suddenly found themselves out of order” in my search for components to play around and build small electrical games. But by then I was already too interested in the internet and all it had to offer.  

Chris?: What technology have you worked with to date?

Developer: ?The more I tried to answer this question the harder it is to do so. I’ve worked with a lot of technologies, and the list would go on and on, such is the nature of a full stack software developer. From doing system administration work, backend development, some devops works, and ending with front end development, there is no escaping the immense variety of languages or tech stacks that you have to learn how to work with.

The last three months could be summed up in: Configuring a postfix mail server, maildrop filters for multiple users; working ReactJS/Angular1, bootstrapping Angular2. Developing a backend app based on Ruby on Rails to integrate quite a few third party API’s. automate deployment of two distinct projects, one w/ capistrano, the other w/ gulp in S3, both with multiple environments. 

Chris?: As well as your “9-5”, what other tech related activity do you do?

Developer: ?I review tech CV's for other companies as a curator, sometimes I do contract/consultant work in my free time. Other than that, I’m either doing some online course on edx.org or solving a problem on projecteuler.net. I’m also signed up for remote e learning with a Portuguese college. But at the moment I’ll have to prepare to cut down my choices of how to spend my free time, I have a kid on the way!  

Chris?: What are your go to books / Websites that you recommend to other developers? 

Developer: ?For books, these were the ones that had the biggest impact on my career:

• Domain Driven Design, Eric J. Evans
• Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship, Robert Cecil Martin
• Code Complete, Steve McConnell
• REWORK, 37signals

As for websites, these still exist as my favourites, mostly as very good references and good insights. 

• https://www.paulgraham.com/
• https://blog.codinghorror.com/
• https://www.joelonsoftware.com/
• https://www.tempobook.com/2011/10/25/thrust-drag-and-the-10x-effect/

Chris?: What is the best advice you received during your career?

Developer: ?Once my manager on an exit interview told me I should listen more to others. I was always in a rush to speak my mind, offer my opinions, but I seldom listened to others and their insights. This advice proved quite useful especially as I was moving to a more senior role, and needed to adapt to it with a new attitude.   

Chris?: to conclude …..What is the art of “staying current”?

Developer: ? Hard question. I would say: passion, work ownership and work life balance. When I like what I do, I tend to commit myself to the product/project and have a full grasp and understanding of all the quirks and twists. Even better is if it’s being built from the ground up. With work ownership, it becomes easier to manage my workload on all layers. This frees me from stress and gives me freedom to explore other tools, try out new approaches or new improvements. If I can do this while at the same time, avoiding burnout then I can really focus on my passion: work, explore new technologies and above all have the curiosity to try them out. There is only so much work you can do during the day while being productive, and without balance, all of this comes crumbling down. On the topic of avoiding burnout, that is a whole other subject, but usually I do something, with family or friends where no computers are allowed!

Some superb and detailed answers here. Lots to take from this. The developer has given us insight into what drives him to keep on progressing and moving forward. It’s his genuine passion and interest in what he does. He loves coding.

This post was written for those who are looking to progress or wonder how people manage to get positions working with the latest technology. Hope this gives you some insight.