Welcome to a special junior edition of our Beyond Anthill series, where we delve into the personal and professional journeys of Anthill’s junior software developers. In this edition, we spotlight Svetozar Mitrov, Full Stack Developer, Junior for one of our key projects. Join us as we explore what ignited Svetozar’s passion for software development, how his journey began, and his professional aspirations for the future.
Can you share a bit about your background and what sparked your interest in software development?
I’ve always had a strong interest in technologies and computers from a young age. This passion guided me to pursue a degree in Software Technologies and Design after finishing high school. It was during my university studies that I first encountered writing software, and I quickly realized how much I enjoyed it. To further develop my skills, I took additional courses in .NET, JavaScript, Databases, EF Core, Agile methodologies, and even Project Management. Despite exploring various aspects of the tech field, my true passion remained in software development.
Currently, I am working as a Junior Software Engineer, and my goal is to become a regular Software Engineer by the end of the year.
Describe your role at Anthill and what a typical day looks like for you.
First thing in the morning, I make my coffee to wake up faster. While drinking it, I go through my emails and messages. After that, I like to plan out the rest of the day to be most efficient with my time and energy. I divide my tasks into smaller ones and tackle them one by one. Throughout the day, I am very proactive. I communicate and clarify requirements, look for holes in the business logic of the features I’m working on, and solve as many problems as I can. By the end of the day, I am drinking my black tea while having my daily meetings.
Technology is constantly evolving. Are there any technologies or tools that you’ve discovered or learned about at Anthill that have particularly excited or inspired you?
Since joining Anthill, I’ve had the opportunity to expand my skill set significantly. Initially, I started as a backend developer, but during my time at the company, I learned Angular. This experience has allowed me to transition into a full-stack developer. It has given me the ability to build features end-to-end, from the database through the API, and finally to the UI. This comprehensive approach has not only enhanced my technical skills but also provided me with a deeper understanding of the entire development process.
What was your motivation to join Anthill’s team?
When I was looking for a new company, I wanted an environment where I could grow both professionally and personally. Anthill has a great culture and wonderful people from whom I can learn, solve complex work problems with, or just have a nice chat. Furthermore, writing code that will be used by many users across the United States and making their lives easier was a big motivation for me.
How does Anthill encourage and support you to grow on your software development journey?
I have great colleagues with whom I share skills and information daily. Additionally, Anthill provides me with access to various courses and learning apps.
Can you share something that you are currently working on that you find particularly exciting or challenging, and why?
Right now, I am working on a new feature called “Impact Dynamics.” I build much of it end-to-end, and for the first time, I need to use an external API in our project and showcase the generated picture files and the additional information with them on the UI. This is something I’ve never done before, and it might present a challenge for me.
Looking ahead, what aspects of software development are you most eager to explore or develop further skills in?
Looking ahead, I am eager to further develop my skills in the technologies I am currently using, such as .NET and Angular. Additionally, I am interested in learning Azure, as it will be very beneficial for my future work with the company. I also find AI and Blockchain exciting and would love to explore these areas as well.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time, I engage in a variety of activities such as traveling, participating in different sports, and reading books on various topics. In the winter, I love snowboarding, and in the summer, I enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, camping, and hiking. I also try to keep my body in good shape by going to the gym daily or practicing martial arts, currently jiu-jitsu. I believe in the saying “healthy body, healthy mind.” And to end the week perfectly, I like to sample different drinks with friends.
Interested to join our team? Check out our open positions here.