A day in the life of Dennis – Senior Software Developer at Zen Internet

What exactly is a Senior Software Developer?

A software developer is responsible for writing new software and maintaining existing ones. They may be involved in any and every stage of the software development process from requirements gathering to testing and deployment and in many cases, the documentation of the completed software. The software developer will usually work in a team of professionals of varying disciplines including product managers, business analysts, testers, infrastructure engineers, database specialists and software architects during the course of a project to ensure the resulting system accurately meets the expectation of the requestors.

The senior software developer is expected to be the technical expert and master craftsman that can use his knowledge and wealth of experience to translate any given requirement into a full-fledged product. In addition to that, he is able to lead, communicate and provide steer on any given software project involving various stakeholders.

Why did you want to become a Software Developer?

I picked up an interest in software programming at university after my first introduction to programming languages and have sought to expand my knowledge and experience on software ever since. While I ended up in a different field upon graduation, I’d always maintained my interests in software until I decided to further my studies.

How did you get started in the world of development and how did you progress?

I got my first job as a software support analyst, where I provided first line technical support for a PFA (Pension Fund Administration) software and gradually moved my way up the industry. I wanted to further my education and increase knowledge in computer systems design and implementation and that lead me to an MSc degree in computer systems engineering.

The degree paved my way into software development practice which was an integral part of the course. It was very practical and hands on and so therefore picked my interests. I then went on to be a systems developer for a healthcare institution where different types of systems ranging from web to desktop applications were thrown at me. In that employ I built my first asp.net web applications in a healthcare product that was intended to provide mental health services to patients over the internet.  

It was a good exposure and experience that lead me to bag certifications in software development using Microsoft technologies. My progress within the industry grew steadily afterwards and helped me build experience in designing and building applications in various business to business scenarios as well as in house business systems.

What kinds of tools, tech, software, applications do you work with?

I use a variety of tools but the most common tool I use from day to day are Microsoft based tools. I use visual studio for software development as an integrated software development environment with predominantly C# programming language.

How long have you worked for Zen Internet? 

I joined Zen in June 2018.

What made you choose to join Zen Internet ahead of other organisations?

I like the ethos and values that Zen is built on, “Happy Staff, Happy Customers, and Happy Suppliers” They drive a culture that makes Zen a great place to work.
Can you describe a typical day in the office?

A typical day in the office will usually begin with a stand-up/scrum meeting where my team and I get the chance to provide the stakeholders with progress or obstacles we face during a project. We define what the daily tasks, outcomes and deliverables should be at the end of the meeting and that will usually determine how the rest of the day could be. There could be further meetings with the relevant stakeholders perhaps to expand on a requirement or share or obtain business or even technical knowledge on a specific subject that is relevant to the current project.

A big part of my day is ensuring that there is an open communication channel with the various stakeholders and making the project as well as its progress visible and well communicated to both technical and non-technical people.

The highlight however begins when I start to implement the code that drives the functionality behind a given feature of the project. Part of such implementation might also be planning and designing the system or even laying down an outline on how code may be implemented efficiently with delivering quality at the core.
I could also be testing or troubleshooting a software for which a bug has been reported or helping someone in the business solve a technical problem.

What makes Zen Internet a great place to work? Why is it different?

The People, The Systems!

The culture at Zen is very people focused and it allows people to develop and grow in a supportive environment.  

Zen has a very large software estate that spans old legacy technologies to the most recent and contemporary technologies in use. This makes it interesting and rewarding to not only learn new technologies but also keep pace with the ever changing face of technology around the world today.

Let me also add here that the food in the Zen staff canteen is cheap and great.

What skills or experience have you developed while at Zen Internet?

At Zen software development is such a social affair that gets everyone talking and learning at the same time. I have become acquainted with the way of work at Zen and have developed my social skills further.

I have also been able to develop my technical skill set in cloud based technologies and more contemporary software development practices and patterns especially around agile software development methodologies. This has been great.

What does the future hold for the world of Software Developers?

Technology is ever changing and sometimes it’s difficult to tell what the world will be like in a few years. One thing that is known though is that the technology in use today will become obsolete soon and it’s up to software developers to keep abreast with the latest technologies that would keep their products more and more competitive.

What exciting things are on the horizon for Zen Internet?

I think these are exciting times for Zen because of its ambition to be the topmost telecommunication providers in the country. The Business Transformation Programme currently being adopted to improve the way we work at Zen and revamp the customer ordering experience to a set of seamlessly automated steps, has technology at its centre that spells very well for the future of this company.