What do you do at Adara?
I’m a software engineer on the Magellan team in our Palo Alto office. I implement features in both internal and external self-service platforms, working closely with the product team to fulfill requirements. The product I’ve done the most work on is Adara Impact.
What is the biggest day to day challenge you face in your role, and how do you try to overcome that?
As an engineer, I never stop learning and the end product is never really finished. There’s always something new to learn, a new way to rewrite a feature and it’s important to balance the tradeoffs between finishing something on time and building it in the most optimal manner.
Unlike physical products, the code I write is essentially a living space. It’s important to keep it clean and maintainable so that when new product requirements come around it’s easy to integrate them without breaking any of the old stuff.
It’s also important to set time aside every release to plan things accordingly, research all solutions and then clean up what you’ve created at the end.
What is the biggest challenge you face in the next 12 months and how are you preparing to face it?
Continuing to grow as an engineer and making sure I have the skills to support the projects that need the most attention. Web development is moving at an incredibly fast pace and keeping up with the latest technologies and trends is time consuming.
It’s important to prioritize my projects and set aside the necessary time to fully research all possible solutions. At the same time, I need to stay agile and always be prepared for the unforeseen challenges.
What do you love about working in the travel sector?
The work I do is extremely relatable and I enjoy building products that boost business for travel destinations. It’s fascinating to look at the data and view evolving travel trends.
What is your favorite holiday destination?
San Diego! It has the absolutely best combination of beautiful beaches, amazing weather, fun nightlife, outdoor activities and delicious tacos.
What is your #1 Bucket list travel destination?
I’ve always wanted to visit Australia. I’d like to dive in the Great Barrier Reef while it’s still around and see the vast wildlife of the Australian outback. Although I’m a bit worried because I hear they have spiders the size of small dogs out there.
What are the three things you would take with you to a deserted island?
- Sunscreen
- A good book
- Fishing spear (for catching fish Castaway style)