Arushi Moneeram

What do you love most about your profession? Why did you choose this career?

I love problem solving and building alongside people who share the same passion. I chose to become a programmer because it's a profession that allows you to explore different areas and problem solve within those areas in a unique way. For example, I am currently interning at a company that offers a Mechanical Engineering tool which means that I am exposed to Mechanical Engineering concepts but my friend who is a developer at a Bio Informatics company mostly works with topics related to Biology

When did you realize you wanted to work in STEM or Skilled Trades?

I always had a particular curiosity when it came to math or sciences because I wanted to better understand things in my immediate environment. I wanted to learn more about chemicals, the human and why things move the way they do. When I started acknowledging this curiosity, I realised I had an interest for science. So, I studied sciences in high-school and then started coding during my gap year.

What was the best advice you have been given?

My parents always say "There is always a solution" and this has constantly reassured me and motivated me to find a way to make things work.

What does your typical workday involve? Can you work remotely? (indoors/outdoors, office/plant, travel time, teamwork/solo work)?

Normally my team would start a project and we would have designated tasks that we determine during a project break-down. I also have free days without meetings and days where I have some meetings that can be anything from 1:1 with my manager, team meetings for various reasons, bigger meetings with the company or group meetings to pair program. On a typical day, I would start my day by giving an update to my team to tell them how my ticket is going, whether I need support/am available for support, and let them know whether I am able to review their work or if I need review on my work. Then I would dedicate some time to review any work from my co-workers that I am tagged on (and this can happen several times in a day). I would then address any reviews on my work that is in review (and this can happen several times in a day). Once this is done, I would work on my assigned ticket and this can be anything from a smaller task to add new icons or ui components to bigger tickets such as investigations that would require multiple pieces of work including research work and development components. If I have meetings, I would prepare for those and make notes before hand.

Does your work make a difference in people’s lives and the world?

Yes, absolutely! Our customers use our app to help manufacture anything from medical equipment to car parts. Building good quality tools for the Engineers definitely helps make a difference.

What do you do when you feel stuck?

I take a break from work when I feel stuck. Sometimes I go for walks or just switch to other work. It helps me refresh. I come back to the problem when I feel ready and I'm usually able to solve it better!

Who is your role model? What is it about this person that inspires you?

My father. He is the most selfless person I know. He loves contributing towards helping others and making this world a better place. He is always involved in community work. He is generous and always so supportive of me. Growing up, I was also heavily involved in community work and I aspire to follow my father and always help others the best I can.

What do you do for fun? What are some of your hobbies/activities?

I paint and I hike a lot. I also love building things. Recently, I started building my cat a little house using moving boxes.

What advice would you give students who might be considering a career like yours? What advice would you have given your younger self?

For students considering a career like mine, I would say: allow yourself to be curious. Nurture that sense of genuine curiosity, and don’t be afraid to chase dreams that feel big or difficult — because that’s where the most fulfilling growth happens. For my younger self, I would say: it's okay to not know what to do next. It's okay to take your time to discover what you enjoy before deciding on a career path or on the future. There's nothing as being "on time" in life.