I'm based in Poland, specifically in the 'small Tricity' area of Rumia, which is near Gdynia and Gdańsk. I have been a developer for about 5 years, working on a wide variety of projects. My primary language is PHP, and Laravel is my main framework, although I have also worked with Symfony and CodeIgniter. In recent years, I've frequently used Vue.js and have dabbled in React as well. Additionally, I can’t imagine my professional life without Tailwind CSS. For those reasons I consider myself a proficient Tallstack developer, with a few additions like Vue.js.
My academic journey took me to the prestigious corridors of the Warsaw Military Academy (WAT), a bastion of technical learning known in Polish as Wojskowa Akademia Techniczna. Yet, as I navigated through its hallowed halls, I realized that the true essence of knowledge for me lay beyond theoretical musings. The allure of hands-on experience drew me in, urging me to trade lecture halls for the dynamic world of real-world problem solving. Mathematics, the language of the universe, was my first love, inspired by my mother and our family's numerical legacy. This passion led me to the Warsaw University of Technology, where I eagerly anticipated diving deeper into mathematical mysteries. However, destiny had other plans. It was in a seemingly unremarkable course, Basics of Programming, where I encountered the magic of C++, that my path took an unexpected turn. Excelling in this newfound challenge, I realized that my true calling was not in numbers but in code. When I reflect on it, the most challenging moment in my career was at the very beginning. Securing the job was an achievement, but learning how to navigate the professional environment was equally daunting. I had the support of a Senior Developer buddy, which significantly accelerated my learning curve. However, after about two months, he left, and that’s when the real challenge began. Suddenly, I was the sole backend developer on the team, responsible for the entire application. It was a stressful period, especially since I had only been a developer for a few months. Despite the pressure, I managed to deliver the product, which continued to grow. This required extensive self-study, including reading blogs and documentation, to understand what needed to be done and how to do it. This experience quickly advanced my career from Junior to Mid-level, not because I wanted to, but because I had to; though I can’t help but smile at the outcome.
I joined Proxify last year, around May. And I currently work part-time for a company through an engagement provided by Proxify. I also hold another job concurrently. My motivation for joining Proxify was to fill my schedule with additional work, tackle new challenges, and increase my earnings.
The company I work with through Proxify is based in the Netherlands. I am currently managing multiple projects, developing internal tools designed for adoption by small and medium-sized businesses. These tools encompass fundamental functionalities such as stock management, PDF generation with data collection, and integrations with external tools to serve as a central hub for customer data. All the projects are enjoyable and present valuable business challenges. Additionally, working on these projects is aiding in my learning of Dutch.
I am currently very satisfied with my work, largely due to the client I am collaborating with. He possesses a great personality, and we share many interests beyond work. His flexibility and our joint problem-solving approach, where we implement what we believe are the best solutions, greatly contribute to my enjoyment. Additionally, I value having a significant impact on the solutions we adopt. Rather than merely executing tasks, I engage in discussions to determine the most effective methods. In summary, not only is the project engaging and appropriately challenging—offering a balanced mix of straightforward and complex tasks—but the client is also a pleasure to work with. The products definitely aim to improve the productivity of the business, helping them make informed decisions.
Proxify stands as a beacon for those seeking to chart their own course in the tech world, eliminating the odyssey through myriad job sites. Here, the pathway to growth is clear, offering a kaleidoscope of technological stacks to explore and roles to aspire to.
I absolutely love remote work and can no longer imagine my life without it. The shift has led to better management of my household, reduced stress levels thanks to no commute, and more time for my girlfriend and sleep, enhancing my overall well-being. There are countless benefits. Additionally, there's the comfort of sometimes working in pajamas and having a cozy day under a blanket. If I'm feeling under the weather, which could potentially affect my coworkers in an office setting, I can simply stay in bed and work from there. For me, the distractions in the office, with constant conversations, stories, and jokes, are more counterproductive than at home.
Looking ahead, I envision a journey where I can illuminate the path for others, aspiring to leadership roles that not only challenge but also fulfill. Proxify, with its ethos of growth and opportunity, promises to be a steadfast companion on this voyage.
My advice to other developers considering a similar career path is to not make money the primary factor in your decision-making process. I understand it's challenging, but the projects and people you collaborate with can offer you much more value. Is it worth going to a job that you dislike, or working on projects that are all too familiar, where you don't grow but earn more than your peers? It might seem appealing for a while, but after seeing yet another zero in your bank account, you'll likely start seeking something more fulfilling. Let technology and the challenges it presents lead you, not the pursuit of money.