Tech Candidate Spotlight – Dmitry Cheryasov, Senior Software Engineer

This post was originally published on this site.

I have a Master’s degree in computer control systems from 1995. I also completed some postgrad studies in visual programming (one of the fashions of the day). As a junior developer, I pursued various certifications (Java, SQL, HTML, etc). Eventually, my work history became a better certification.

Which educational opportunities made the biggest impact on your tech career?

A computer at home as a teenager. The tinker-friendly nature of 8-bit home computers, their simplicity, and immediate feedback were very inviting. The best analogy today would be to a web browser.

Various books on electronics, computers, and mathematics also made an impact. Plus, a computer club about writing programs, not (only) playing games. Working as a programmer part-time during my university years helped too. It allowed me to more clearly see the questions to which the university courses were providing answers.

What would you like to learn more about?

The human mind and how to best drive it. It’s the principal tool of a knowledge worker. Structures, nature, and behavior of various complex systems, because this is what a software engineer works with every day.

What led you to pursue a career in tech?

It was just naturally exciting. Computer programming is the closest approximation of magic in the real world, complete with cryptic spells 🙂 But, unlike magic, it’s based on logic. And I’m comfortable with logic. Also, a career in tech, unlike a career in academia, helps bring home the bacon much better.

How has your skill set evolved throughout your career?

I’ve tried many things, but soon enough gravitated towards backend development, mostly through work on databases and programming tools. I tried to learn something new all the time in background mode, before the particular technology was in the spotlight: Java, networking, Linux, PHP, Python, Javascript, functional programming, etc.

Usually, it takes 5-6 years between the time I start paying attention to something and the time when this thing becomes important in my work, directly or obliquely. For instance, I never used Haskell in production, but learning it helped me a lot to write better Python and Javascript.

If you chose to specialize in one area, what was it and why?

Once you become sufficiently good in some areas, it becomes more costly to pivot. I ended up working on backend software. One of the reasons is likely that backends are more often implemented solidly, with requirements less fleeting, even though more demanding. But I always try to have some idea about the areas around me. While I’m not turning into a full-time fronted developer, UX designer, SRE, ML engineer, product manager, etc, I try to try my hand at everything, given a chance. This lets me have a common language with colleagues who work in these areas.

Is your new role different from previous ones?

My new role is an unfamiliar industry that requires quite specific knowledge. Otherwise, it’s pretty similar: design and build software, and communicate with people as a part of it.

What are you most excited about in your new role?

It’s a kind of role I understand and like. I also work with great colleagues in a solid engineering culture. What we are building is replacing ancient systems and improving things for a large number of pharmacy workers. Also, the company has a solid and growing business, indicating stability.

What was your job search experience like before you joined Hired?

Hired landed me a job twice! Plus, several job offers. I have contacts with several recruiters, too. What makes Hired stand out is a clear process and good quality leads. Hired matches my skills and requirements well. It saves a lot of time and effort. Other services tend to overflow my inbox with enticing but often somehow off-the-mark suggestions, which have to be filtered laboriously.

What’s your best advice for jobseekers on the Hired platform?

Formulate clearly what you want and what you are experienced in. Things requiring soft skills are valuable so mention them. Earn some badges because it shows you can code and know the basics. If you built something interesting, by all means mention it.

What would you tell someone who’s curious about Hired?

If you need a job, Hired is a solid resource. Put in the effort to fill in all the information. It will pay off. If you present yourself as an interesting candidate and have a polished profile, your profile may be featured. That’s a serious boost.

Any general advice you’d like to give other tech professionals?

Keep learning. Stay curious. Find fun bits in and outside of daily work. Look around and try to grasp the bigger picture. The machines are not going to replace us. Instead, they are going to empower us further.

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About Capital Rx

Capital Rx is reinventing the way pharmacy benefits are priced and evaluated. Founded in 2018, it has 501-1000 employees and is headquartered in New York.

Benefits

401K plan, performance bonus, health/dental/vision/life/disability insurance, unlimited time off, company activities, stock options, and more.

Tech Stack

Python, React, AWS, Redux

Can you share a little bit about your educational background?