By: Vubon

As I reflect on my first year as a software engineer at Opn, the memories flood in, filled with challenges, triumphs, and moments of sheer growth. Joining this innovative company marked the start of a remarkable expedition into the world of tech, where each day brought new opportunities and learnings.

Why I Joined Opn and First-Year Expectations

The financial sector has always captivated me, making Opn an obvious choice due to its reputation as a leading player in this industry. My primary motivation for joining Opn was my long-standing goal to work within the financial industry. As I embarked on this journey, I looked forward to immersing myself in finance-focused projects at Opn. I aimed to blend my passion for finance with my role as a software engineer, actively contributing to projects that would refine my technical skills and provide valuable insights into the financial landscape. Collaborating with professionals in this field and gaining firsthand experience in financial technologies excited me, setting the stage for a dynamic and fulfilling first year at Opn.

Getting Hired & My Onboarding Experience

The hiring process at Opn was a series of stages that commenced with an initial screening call from a recruiter, followed by an interview with an Engineering Manager to gauge cultural fit. This was succeeded by rigorous coding and system design tests and pivotal assessments in the evaluation process. Successfully navigating these stages resulted in an offer to join the Opn team.

As a foreigner, my onboarding experience was incredibly positive, courtesy of Opn's dedicated People Operations (PO) team. They provided invaluable guidance, aiding with visa processing, travel tips, and even facilitating accommodation arrangements in the new country, going above and beyond to ensure a smooth transition. Their support extended to securing temporary housing for me, demonstrating Opn's commitment to their employees.

Despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, our onboarding seamlessly transitioned to an online format, with Opn's unwavering support and care, making the process comfortable and efficient.

My Job Responsibilities

As a software engineer at Opn, my primary role involves developing, testing, and maintaining software applications, focusing on ensuring they run smoothly and efficiently.

• What made my experience even more enriching was the encouragement from my line manager to delve into system design, enhancing my understanding and skills in this aspect. This opportunity significantly broadened my horizons, and I am grateful for the chance to explore this avenue.

• A key part of my role is collaborating with cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative environment where we work together to achieve common goals. This collaboration enhances the quality of our work and cultivates a sense of unity and shared accomplishment within the team.

• Beyond software development, I'm involved in incident management, addressing and resolving issues that arise in our applications. This hands-on experience has been invaluable in sharpening my problem-solving skills and understanding system stability.

• Code reviews are a fundamental part of my responsibilities, ensuring that our code meets the high-quality standards set by Opn. This practice ensures that the software we produce is robust, secure, and optimized for peak performance.
  
  

Training and Professional Development

Opn invested in my training and professional development from the beginning. I was enrolled in several online courses to enhance my technical skills. Additionally, my manager and team members guided me about the company's culture, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation. I learned about the 3DS process, gaining a deep understanding of the development lifecycle. Writing proper GitHub pull requests was emphasized as a crucial skill to ensure effective collaboration within the team.

Team Dynamics

The team was structured with diverse skills and experience levels, allowing for dynamic collaboration and a holistic approach to projects. I found a supportive and inclusive environment within the team.

My skills complemented the team's goals, allowing for effective collaboration and project contributions. We successfully delivered a complex project within a tight deadline, showcasing the strength of our teamwork and dedication.

I developed strong personal and professional relationships with team members. We fostered an environment of trust and camaraderie, supporting one another through challenges and celebrating our successes.

The Opn Culture

At Opn, everyone is treated fairly and respectfully. The company believes in valuing each person and appreciating what makes them unique. This makes Opn a place where everyone's voice matters and no one feels left out.

Opn also likes to have fun! They organize parties and events to bring everyone together. These gatherings help us get to know each other better and feel like a big team.

Opn cares about us getting better at our jobs, too. For example, our security team organized a special contest called a 'hackathon.' I joined in and even won a Starbucks coupon! But more importantly, I learned a lot about keeping our applications safe. This shows how Opn is always cheering us on to learn and grow, no matter how big or small the steps we take.

Accomplishments and Challenges

In my first year at Opn, understanding the 3DS transactions process was a big win. It was like peeking under the hood of how things work, something I didn't fully get before. On a personal level, I tackled a challenge - communicating better. While I've always loved coding, I realized that talking about code is just as important.

Working in the payment sector posed a unique challenge. Even a tiny mistake is a big deal because we're dealing with people's money. Making sure every transaction ran smoothly without any hiccups was a daily challenge. But this pressure pushed me to improve, teaching me to be careful and precise in everything I do.

Moving Forward

In summary, my first year at Opn has been a transformative journey. The experiences, challenges, and opportunities for growth have shaped me into a more confident and skilled software engineer.

I am immensely grateful for the support, learnings, and opportunities provided by Opn. Looking forward, I am eager to take on more responsibilities and contribute to projects that drive innovation and make a tangible impact. I aspire to grow into a leadership role and continue to embrace the company's culture of innovation.

For new employees, my advice is to proactively seek mentorship, embracing every learning opportunity, and striving for excellence in a company that truly supports your growth.