Josip Andrišek, PL/SQL developer: Don’t be afraid. Try taking a risk.

Just as databases are essential to applications, people who can manage data in them are equally important. Speaking with Josip Andrišek, we learned about his PL/SQL developer role at Emil Frey Digital, his typical day at work and how it all looked like for him when he first joined us over a year ago. Before that, he studied computer science and did some AI programming, among other things. Now a full-time employee, he is preparing to take the lead on a major dev project. A gamer who enjoys good concerts and festivals, Josip loves Japanese culture and has recently returned from a trip to Japan.

My first team: I turned out to be the only person from Croatia

He describes his first day at work as a mix of excitement and bustle. Weeks that followed were dynamic and not without challenge.

- I was assigned to the Swiss PL/SQL team to develop warranty systems. I was the only person from Croatia on that team, which meant I had to use German all the time. At first, I wasn’t sure my spoken German was good enough. I could understand my coworkers well, but speaking was something different. At first I took so many notes in meetings to make sure I didn't miss anything important. It got easier over time and now it’s my second nature, he said.

Now that he’s been on the job for more than a year, he says that working on warranties with the Swiss team is in fact a great position.

- I can see what's happening on both sides. When something new or different is happening in Switzerland or Croatia, I get that information almost right away in our daily meetings or from colleagues in the office. I could say I am a bridge between these two sides, he explained.

Car factories, car dealers, spare parts - warranties needed across the value chain

Emil Frey Digital is building digital solutions that handle warranties by car factories and car dealers, as well as warranties on spare parts. Some car brands are using very complex warranty systems; they need to be adequately supported in software.

- My job is, of course, about software development. I work on our interface (user forms) a lot. I am in touch with clients, too. They share their requirements through their representatives. It can mean creating new interfaces, adding new features and other things.

If you ask me how to learn programming, the answer is “by doing it”

He says his department head is a skilled business analyst who understands every aspect of the program and how it all works together. He's always ready to answer any question. Senior colleagues are experts in their field and you can approach them easily.

- They guide me when I make mistakes because they want me to grow as a programmer. We have a great relationship, which I really appreciate. Usually most of the questions will come from younger developers like me, and we will get the answers in team communication.

If you ask him how to learn programming, he offers a straightforward piece of advice: By doing it. That’s how he learned the majority of it. 

"To me, my team is the best team."

My typical workday: Early bird catches the worm

- I like to start early so I can have enough time for other things. My day usually starts at 7:30 AM by logging into the virtual environment and checking emails. I handle new tasks that come up first, or if there aren't any, I solve older ones. Our daily meeting at 9 AM is about what's on for the day, any news and tasks we need to get done. Once a week I join a German class with a few other colleagues at the office. Because I speak German with my team and clients, the class helps me improve my vocabulary and communication. You will also see me doing a lot of forms testing, before they go live. It is important that new features work smoothly and don't interfere with the existing ones. Our system handles over 30 car brands, each with their own specific needs. We have to keep a close eye on everything.

- When we are stuck with something, we actively look for solutions. Whether it's me or someone else doing the research, we always share information in daily meetings, which is how we build our knowledge, he explained.

The wonders of Hochdeutsch and local dialects

- Sometimes you simply don’t want to bother colleagues with small things that don’t seem crucial but still you want to understand them. As professionals, they want to give detailed explanations, but I know it takes up their time. What's great is that for any question about programming, I can ask colleagues with whom I sit in Varaždin. After all, we have so much expertise here. When it's about a business case, then I turn to colleagues in Switzerland. My team has to speak standard German (Hochdeutsch) because of me, otherwise they would use their local dialect. Sometimes they glide into the dialect which leaves me to wonder what they're saying. :) In spite of the physical distance and language barriers of sorts, we've bonded very well.

Traveling to Switzerland and meeting the team in person was one of his top experiences so far.

- Last October I went to Switzerland for two weeks to get to know my teammates. I can only say it was amazing. We became friends and went out to dinners together. I had the best steak of my life there. Every day we went to some crazy lunches. I love food, so the experience and variety were outstanding.

Flexible work and the new project ahead

Josip says that flexibility is what he likes the most about his job.

- I can work from home, in the office or at a cottage by the sea. And of course, there are people that work here. They are great by any standard you choose.

Another professional challenge awaits him. Emil Frey Digital will soon begin developing a larger project where he will be one of the main developers.

- It will certainly be challenging and interesting because the client, after 20 years of working in one system, will be switching to a new one. The old software has specialized functionalities that matched all kinds of their needs in the last two decades. We need to check very carefully which functionalities to implement, so that the new system is adapted to their needs in the best way possible.

- I have done a lot of development from scratch, I am familiar with more or less the entire system and I have some understanding of how to implement changes. But this will be my first major project in that role. It's sure to be interesting and I'm very excited about it.

AI, Japan, and doing away with doubts and fears that hold us back

We gathered that Josip was interested in AI before it became popular with the launch of ChatGPT. When it comes to his recent trip to Japan, he says it blew him away.

- I am fascinated by their culture, people, food, architecture, approach to work, lifestyle. I was there for three weeks, but I think I managed to see only five percent of what I had hoped to see. That trip was the highlight of my life so far and I can't wait to go again, he said.

A message to future colleagues?  - Don't be afraid. Try taking a risk. Go to Japan. :) Any previous knowledge is welcome, but what you learn on the job is the most important and most useful.