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Morgan Cooper, Software Engineer at EPAM Systems, Inc.
Hi Morgan! Great to have you here with us. 😊 How are you? How is your week going?
Hi, I am well thanks. I’ve had a lovely week. The days are getting lighter, meaning I can usually get a run in before work. I always feel far more energised in the office after getting some exercise before work!
Do you want to give us a short introduction to what you do at EPAM, and what technologies you work with?
My role within EPAM is an engineer, specifically a JavaScript engineer. I work with modern front end frameworks and technologies recently focusing on React, Redux with TypeScript.
I currently work with one of the leading online fashion retailers globally, developing their internal centralised customer care platform.
What was the onboarding process like at EPAM as a Junior Software Developer?
I joined EPAM 15 months ago and the onboarding process was amazing. The platforms they have for self development and learning are unrivalled and I have no doubt that I would not be in the position I am today without them. In the initial months working my first project, I would be lying if I told you it had all been plain sailing. There were tough times that felt as if things were not progressing how I wanted, but with the support of my colleagues, I am able to look back at these periods and see them as building blocks getting me to where I am today.
In your opinion, what are the best things about working at EPAM?
Working for EPAM, you find yourself on a variety of different projects, internal and external, meaning you never get stuck in a rut and feel like you are always developing yourself. EPAM has very defined career paths and are fully supportive of any direction you wish to take your career with them. And last of all, but by no means the least important, I am lucky enough to work alongside amazing talented colleagues in a way where we support each other to work as a fiercely efficient unit.
You had an internship at InfluencerAds before getting your role at EPAM - how did you get this internship? I think a lot of individuals struggle to get that first step on the career ladder!
Be BOLD - sell yourself. Perhaps try not to dwell on your lack of actual coding experience (to be blunt) and sell the transferable skills you have. You ARE a fast learner, you ARE an amazing problem solver and you ARE someone who works well under pressure. I managed to secure this role for influencerAds by picking up the phone and calling the CEO directly and showing a desire to learn. Do not forget, employers invest in you as a person as well as how well you write code.
Do you get involved in any activities, either professionally or personally outside of your work? E.g. mentoring, or your hobbies in general!
Outside of my main role at EPAM, I work closely with the Newcastle office PR and Events team. I have done outreach in local high schools delivering tech workshops, this has been especially important recently as students have had little exposure to outside guest presenters due to COVID restrictions. I have also been involved in the initial stages of forming an EPAMfit Europe Community. In this group we create and run events bringing together colleagues from different european offices via sporting and wellbeing challenges.
Outside of work, I spend a lot of my time dedicated to sport. I am currently training for a half iron man this summer.
Thanks for chatting to us Morgan!
With Haystack, EPAM made 6 tech hires in 3 months and saved 1000s in recruitment fees. Find out more information about how Haystack is working with EPAM.
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