Jan is a software developer for otto.de. After completing his training as an IT specialist, he joined the e-commerce sector. In this interview, he tells us what Jan does all day and what his job entails.
I'm a software developer in the e-commerce sector. I've been with OTTO since my IT specialist training. After I took over, I initially worked on the further development of the item detail page and the customer ratings of otto.de. In the meantime, I've joined the team responsible for the order section and the notepad. Even in my free time, I'm still involved in development. However, my focus here is not only on web development, but also on game development. I also like to go to concerts and I'm a movie and series geek.
My day-to-day work is very varied. We do agile software development with Scrum. That means I don't just sit alone in front of the computer all day and write codes around the clock, but I'm in regular exchange with my colleagues - whether it's in appointments or pair programming. I particularly like the fact that I have creative freedom, both technically and professionally. There is no such thing as "blunt" programming of predefined tasks and solutions.
My team is cross-functional. My colleagues are not only developers, but also designers, web analysts, product managers, project managers and QA staff. This means that all perspectives are taken into account when new requirements arise, and an expert is always on hand to answer any questions or clarifications. I really enjoy working with my colleagues. After work, we sometimes have a cold drink together, go bowling or canoeing. We have breakfast together with the whole team every second Thursday for the sprint change. It's a nice joint start to the next section. It's also a great opportunity to get to know your colleagues on a personal level.
Of course, it doesn't hurt to have some prior knowledge. But it's much more important to have a basic understanding of technology and a willingness to learn than to have a detailed knowledge of the technologies and methods we use. In general, OTTO attaches great importance to the ability to work in a team. We work closely together - even across disciplines. Constant exchange with colleagues is part of everyday life, so it's never boring.