What is your story?
I actually wanted to study graphic design, but I never dared to create a portfolio. Anyone who knows the pictures I have on display in the agency will understand why. In my agency at the time, where I completed my training, I was given the right tools to work properly and professionally, which I am still happy about today. This is where my interests shifted more and more towards programming.
I hadn't yet given up the idea of studying, so after my apprenticeship I worked for a year at my former company and then started studying media informatics at the Stuttgart Media University. In the 5th semester there is an internship semester on the curriculum. As usual, I was late, but I wanted to deepen my knowledge of TYPO3 anyway. As fate would have it, MOSAIQ had advertised a suitable position and I was accepted. During my internship semester and afterwards, René was always there to advise me and I learned a lot from him. I was fascinated by what he always saw when programming and what you have to pay attention to.
This continued throughout my time as a working student and my final thesis, and I'm still here now. Four years ago, we started with Drupal at the agency and I was transferred from the TYPO3 team. Today I'm probably Señor de Drupal, a senior developer of course.
IS THERE A SPECIAL RITUAL OR TRADITION IN THE OFFICE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
Football has become really rare. Thank you Corona! Otherwise, I like to walk to my desk drinking fresh coffee. It usually works quite well unless I'm wearing something white again.
Time travel. There are such great eras or even the future that would be worth a look. In the office, of course, I would only use the superpower selfishly to take back my promised deadlines.
At 7:50, I get into the car to catch the next train. On the train, I unpack my laptop and put on my headphones, not always with music but to block out my surroundings. At 8 a.m. I receive automated notifications about updates to plugins that we are using, which I then carry out and then get to work on the task that didn't get finished yesterday. Around half past nine we have our Dev-Daily where we developers discuss current projects and topics. And then it's back to work - but usually not undisturbed. I'm not in many meetings, but there are lots of topics that pop up throughout the day where we provide support, answer questions or help in other ways.
Music really loud, so that your ears hurt after 8 hours of work. Fidget to the music at our great standing desks (internal advertising). Typing to the beat and everything comes together to form beautiful code. Every now and then I get a fright because someone is just standing there in the office - it gives me that extra kick. Of course, this only works when Andy is working from home.
Oh no, of course I'm also in a good mood when Andy is there. Very good, in fact. Work without a sparring partner would be boring.
IF YOU COULD SPEND A DAY WITH A COLLEGE:IN - WITH WHOM AND WHY?
- With the Friday Marcel - self-explanatory, isn't it?
- Anna always has great tasks, does a lot for the agency and the further development of each individual and is always in a good mood. I also believe that she sees colorful flowers and butterflies everywhere besides her pixels. Besides, I have to prove that I can still do graphic design. Yes, I would love to have your insights one day.
Team office or team home office?
Team office, no one understands, but I like my commute. Then there's the exchange with colleagues, which no team can match. Most of the time you just want a quick answer or a thought-provoking impulse and that's best done across the desk. And we never run out of beer in the office :)
What tricks do you have up your sleeve for coping with the sometimes stressful day-to-day running of an agency?
If it's really stressful, so really stressful and exasperating, then I let it get the better of me for 5 minutes and despair. Then I get going again with renewed vigor. There hasn't been anything that hasn't worked yet, you just can't give up. Otherwise, I've heard that swearing helps quite well.
What did you think after your first week at MOSAIQ?
"Why do I have to sit in the last corner in front of the wall?" As an intern, you don't get the best seat, of course. But the space did have one advantage, and that was that you could "put your feet up" against the wall. The seat no longer exists, but I left a few marks on the wall in this spot. Soooorry!
What's the funniest thing you've ever experienced at work?
In general, there are lots of fun and enjoyable moments, especially during the hut weekend or the team events.
One year, I "snuck" into the organization team for the hut weekend. As the organization team always drives up, I also had this honour and, as a co-pilot, inadvertently entered the wrong destination address into the navigation system. Thanks to the geographically well-trained pilot, however, this was noticed in time and the loss of time was not too serious.
This year at the hut weekend, I accidentally dropped the packet of pepper into the pot of Mexican. The looks on my colleagues' faces? Priceless. The Mexican? Still edible.I also like to contribute to the general amusement with my wrapping skills at the annual joint gift-wrapping for the children's Christmas tree.
How would you explain your work at MOSAIQ to your 90-year-old grandma?
On my loom, I weave the internet across the globe with threads finer than the whitest of clouds. Now put the fiver back in your pocket - love you grandma :)
Tell us about your superpowers - what makes you special, what are you particularly good at, what do only you contribute to the agency?
The work of a developer requires you to constantly keep your finger on the pulse. Since programming is a passion, I think that comes pretty easily to me. It's also important not to shy away from the unknown. That's probably why I've already been involved in most of the projects at the agency. I want to know how everything works and learn from it.
Of course, I contribute to the agency with my knowledge. With structured work, as far as I can speak of it, but in almost every Drupal project there is code from me. Sometimes I introduce new technologies/tools, try to keep our stack up to date and of course keep improving the quality.
If OUR OFFICE WERE ON A SINGLE ISLAND, WHO WOULD BE THE LEADER?
The FeelGood team. They always want you to dance to their tune.
Which fictional character do you think would do best in our team?
Frodo - no matter how hard the place is burning and resources are limited, he meets the deadline and delivers.