My first year experience

I’d love to hear about your career journey. Can you talk about what led you here and your decision to join Thoughtworks?

I completed 6 years in August 2021 of working in the education sector and decided to pivot into Tech after trying to find a career that would challenge me while also providing me the opportunity to continuously learn. I attended a coding bootcamp in 2020 during the pandemic and graduated from Grace Hopper's coding bootcamp and was on the job search with intentions. I wrote out what kind of company I wanted to be part of and how they would align to my values and I crossed paths with Thoughtworks and from the moment a Thoughtworks recruiter reached out, I knew I had found a company that will support me, see me, values my growth and opinion and is truly invested in me as a human being.

Ok take me back to your first day at Thoughtworks. Your first week. Your first month. How has your onboarding and First Year Experience differed from previous onboarding at other companies?

My first day at Thoughtworks was similar to my first day of school, I was both anxious and excited and just could not believe I was part of the team and that my software engineer career had started, the entire onboarding process was a first time experience for me and it was curated to be a joyous and pleasant experience. The little things excited me but, what excited me the most is the opportunity to be part of an Employee Resource Group, as someone who has never worked in a company that provided the resource and space, I was the happiest to see spaces curated where I can be myself and be surrounded by folks who look and represent me. I appreciated the pairing of a mentor, as someone who is new and entry level the guidance and support of someone there to be available is essential for my growth within my first year, I was surprised but, thankful this is already a part of Thoughtworks onboarding process and again, Thoughtworks curates an experience and my first year and onboarding was just that. A joyous and pleasant experience.

What has been your favorite part of your Thoughtworks career to date? Any milestones? “Ah-ha” moments? 

There have been many favorite parts while at Thoughtworks, but my most memorable is being able to travel to new cities and see the product in use by our clients has been a highlight of mine. To see a feature or application be used by the user and hear their feedback, if any, gives you a sense of gratitude towards the work you are doing with your client. 

What advice would you give to someone who is starting their first day at Thoughtworks?

If you can go back to your childhood and remember the times you went to a playground and would fall on a safe cushion not concrete and get back up. This is what Thoughtworks is, it is a safe space where you can explore, make mistakes and fall, but, the cushion on the ground that does not let you get a scrape, bruise or bleed is the community who is there to support you and catch you when you fall.

Anything else that you wanted to add?

The people make a company, without the people cultivating and continuing to uphold Thoughtworks values I would not be so lucky to feel so welcomed and really cared for. I am here to spread the Thoughtworks love and so happy to share it with 2 friends who are now Thoughtworkers =)