I reside in Teresópolis, a town of around 200,000 people, mostly surrounded by countryside. It's positioned roughly 100 kilometers away from Rio de Janeiro. Professionally, I'm a specialized Backend developer, with a primary focus on .NET. This encompasses crafting libraries, cross-platform software, mobile apps, and more using .NET tools. Lately, I've also been exploring Azure. My college journey began in 2019, where I embarked on studying Computer Engineering. However, my academic plans were derailed due to the impact of COVID-19.
My fascination with computer programming sparked when I was just twelve years old. Eager to understand how computer programs worked, I dived into learning about compilers and began hands-on exploration using Microsoft Visual C++ and C# Express Editions. Unlike relying solely on tutorials, I preferred a practical learning approach. Although I appreciate the insights that documentation provides about the capabilities of different tools, I hold a somewhat cautious stance toward tutorials. They tend to suggest a one-size-fits-all approach to development problem-solving, which I find constraining. I believe that there's a multitude of ways to tackle a problem, and mastering one's tools empowers a more diverse and effective problem-solving approach.
Navigating the career realm, I've encountered initial hurdles, particularly during HR interviews and group activities. My reserved nature and inclination to avoid extensive social interactions sometimes led to misunderstandings, causing me to miss out on opportunities. This has been a recurring theme in my job search journey. Yet, my experience with Proxify marked a departure from this trend. The company excelled at facilitating client interactions, creating an environment where technical aspects are enhanced in interviews. While personal aspects were discussed, the focus remained on professional expertise, making communication with clients a smoother process.
From a technical perspective, one of my initial projects as a professional developer also happened to be one of the most extensive endeavors I've engaged in. The company was creating a system to sell to government offices. The goal was to make it easier for citizens to register for government assistance. The old system had a lot of problems. It couldn't handle many people using it at once, so often, registrations were written on paper and added later. These forms would often pile up causing delays of years before the citizens would finally be registered to start receiving the benefits to which they were eligible. In addition the registration itself was long and took a lot of time per individual household. To tackle these challenges, finding a solution that satisfied both technical needs and legal requirements was crucial. This involved maneuvering around the limitations of the system's servers while adhering to regulations governing data inclusion in public databases. Without diving into the specifics, the situation demanded an unconventional approach that few might have thought of. I attribute this to my inclination to approach coding with creativity, rather than rigidly following established guidelines or patterns.
When I first saw Proxify's advertisements, I couldn't believe it. I had seen similar platforms before, but they often turned out to be disappointing and didn't really work. I even encountered one platform where I passed all the tests but ended up waiting endlessly. However, I eventually decided to give Proxify a chance, and I'm really happy that I did. I applied to Proxify in mid-April 2023, and within two weeks, I completed the recruiting process and became part of their network. Proxify actually delivers on its promises, and that made a significant difference for me. Before joining Proxify, I had given up on working in the Tech industry. I had even changed my Driver's License to category 'D' to become a bus driver. I had worked for my first company for 10 years, a small startup that didn't offer much in terms of professional growth. Eventually, the founders went their separate ways, and the company closed down. I began looking for jobs in the Rio area and went on numerous interviews, but I often faced challenges due to the conservative approach of HR departments. That's when I decided to try freelancing, but it didn't turn out to be a positive experience overall. In one instance, I didn't receive any payment for my work. This is where Proxify really shines for me. Knowing that Proxify handles client communication, negotiations, and ensures I get paid for my work provides me with peace of mind. It allows me to fully focus on the job at hand, without worrying about these administrative tasks.
I'm currently working on two part-time projects. One is short-term, and the other is long-term. My clients are in Switzerland and New York. In one project, I'm making a specialized computer control that's more advanced than usual. It needs to be complex, but the regular methods would make it too slow. So, we had to think creatively and come up with unique solutions. This meant doing custom drawings, managing system events, and solving various challenges to make it both complex and responsive like a standard control. In the other project, I'm improving a system for recognizing forms and text. We're making it faster and able to handle lots of work at once, which the current version struggles with. Both projects are exciting because they require creative thinking. In one, we're reimagining how things are done, and in the other, we're simplifying a complex system to suit specific needs. In both cases, I get to be innovative while making sure the solutions work well for the client. I'm really enthusiastic about these projects because they make work easier and better for the clients. But there's a bigger idea here: not every trendy technology fits every situation. Some trendy tech can be too complicated for specific tasks. These projects show why it's valuable to create custom solutions for specific tasks. Interestingly, this connects with a presentation I saw at DevOps Days Rio 2023, which emphasized being careful with tech trends and hypes.
Speaking about remote work, as in working from home instead of going to an office, I used to see both options as having their advantages and disadvantages. It's not a new concept for me. I spent about a decade working from home for my first company, and even when I tried freelancing on my own, I did it from home, with occasional visits to clients. However, my perspective changed when I considered the possibility of working for a company in a different country and being paid in a different currency. This idea always intrigued me, although I thought it was impossible. I understand that Proxify's mission is to demonstrate that remote workers are just as much a part of the team as anyone working in a physical office. I'm committed to playing my part in proving this to clients. Together, Proxify and its network can show the world that it's possible. With Proxify, I aim to be a pioneer in this new way of pursuing a career in the development industry.
When it comes to some advice for new developers approaching the industry I’d say there’s something to keep in mind. To start, let's think creatively. Even though computing is considered a precise science, it doesn't mean we can't approach it with creative thinking. Instead of immediately searching for pre-existing solutions, it's beneficial to begin by thoroughly understanding the problem, knowing your tools, and attempting to solve it independently. Of course, there will be situations where starting from scratch isn't feasible, possibly due to project time constraints. However, by adopting this mindset, you'll eventually reach a point where you'll feel that almost nothing is impossible (even though, in reality, some clients may request seemingly impossible tasks). In mechanical engineering, there's a well-established concept that states the more moving parts a machine has, the higher the maintenance requirements and the greater the chance of failure. In the world of software development, a similar principle applies to third-party libraries. Personally, I aim to minimize their use whenever possible. If you view the OpenSource community not just as a source of free libraries but as a vast repository of millions of code examples, you'll realize that studying and understanding that code holds more value than simply implementing it. This approach will enhance your problem-solving skills and reduce the reliance on external libraries.