Introduction
In this blog post, I would like to share my experience of starting to work as a Frontend Software Engineer at Epimorphics over the past 6 months. I will highlight the challenges I faced, the skills I acquired, and the impact I have made as part of the team. I’ll also delve into what it’s like working at Epimorphics, and the projects I’ve been working on.
How I Got Started
My journey as a self-taught software engineer began with the goal of creating a website to help promote my services as a guitar teacher. I taught myself HTML, CSS, and JavaScript through online courses, books, and guidance from experienced software developers.
My determination paid off as I began helping businesses with their website design, which led me to experiment with Gatsby.js and other JavaScript frameworks. I was captivated by the world of coding and found myself spending countless hours on it, leading me to switch careers and become a web designer.
I gained valuable experience working at a small website design agency and eventually landed a full-time role at Masters Golf, where I built e-commerce sites and web applications using Next.js. Despite being the senior developer there, I knew there was much more to learn and sought new opportunities, which led me to Epimorphics. My achievements as a self-taught coder caught the attention of Epimorphics, and they saw the potential in me.
The Company
It has been refreshing to join a new company whose values match my own. As an example, they have been really proactive in helping the team with the cost of living increases we’ve seen over the last 12 months.
I have found communication with all levels of the company easy – shilst there is a strong leadership team nobody is out of reach to talk to should needs be. We utilise multiple tools that are easy to use to make sure we all stay in the loop on the various projects.
The Team
I joined the Epimorphics Frontend Software Engineering team in August 2022, and I was immediately impressed by the level of expertise and by the willingness of members of the team to take it upon themselves to make sure I had the support I needed.
I have had to get used to getting feedback on code and learning new ways of doing things. All of the feedback I have had has always been constructive and positive and there is no negativity when I get something wrong or when there is a better (usually simpler!) way of going about things.
The team is composed of highly skilled, talented software engineers with diverse backgrounds and experience levels, which has created a dynamic and supportive work environment. The team works closely together, sharing ideas, knowledge, and resources to deliver top-notch software solutions to clients.
Joining the Company
The onboarding process was made seamless thanks to the efforts of Alex, Jon, and Beth. Jon is my line manager and he took the time to get to know me, understand my goals and interests, and help me feel comfortable in my new role.
Project Focus
My main focus during my first 6 months at Epimorphics has been working on the Agora Catalog project. Agora Catalog is a user-friendly platform that facilitates the discovery, comprehension, and utilisation of data. It empowers teams to organise and categorise their datasets and services efficiently. The project required me to dive into several new technologies, including Vue, Nuxt, Vuex, and Jest for unit testing, and Cucumber, Gherkin and Puppeteer for end-to-end testing.
Learning and Growing
One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning all the new technologies, especially testing, which I had never done before. However, I was up for the challenge, and the company was incredibly accommodating, helping me to navigate this new area of software engineering.
I attended valuable training sessions with Jon, who was an excellent mentor and teacher. Jon’s expertise in testing helped me to understand the importance of testing in software development, and how it can improve the quality and reliability of software applications.
I also sought out additional resources, such as online courses, to help me gain a deeper understanding of testing and the technologies I was working with. Whilst I am pleased with the progress I have made, there is still so much to learn however I am now beginning to have a positive impact on the Agora Catalog project.
Working Culture
The working culture at Epimorphics is collaborative and supportive. My colleagues are always willing to help, and I have had the opportunity to work with a talented team of software engineers
In addition to the supportive working culture, I have also been impressed by the company’s commitment to employee well-being. Epimorphics values work-life balance and provides its employees with the flexibility to fit the everyday occurrences of life into their working day. They also trust people to get the work done in the best way they see fit and are open to different approaches and perspectives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my first 6 months as a Frontend Software Engineer at Epimorphics have been a valuable and rewarding experience. I have been able to learn new technologies, develop my skills, and make a meaningful impact on the Agora Catalog project. I have also been impressed by the supportive and dynamic work culture at Epimorphics, and the company’s commitment to employee well-being and continuous improvement.
I would also encourage anyone who wishes to move their career forward to take the leap and see it through. There were times in the first four months when I just felt out of my depth, but I had the right people around me to up my skills and now I am beginning to add value to the team and Epimorphics.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a Frontend Software Engineer, I highly recommend considering Epimorphics as a great place to work. The company offers a supportive work environment, opportunities for growth and development, and the freedom to make your role your own.
I feel lucky to work for a company that so closely shares my values, and I’m looking forward to continuing my growth and development as a software engineer here.