When deciding to join a company there are a lot of factors you can base your decision on, some more quantifiable than others. For me, I must start my working day feeling excited about what I’m going to do. Even though it's not possible for every day to be full of fun and exciting tasks, I generally find it important to enjoy what I'm doing. Life is too short to spend 8h a day doing boring, repetitive stuff! 😊

Therefore, I based my decision to join Tropos on a couple of factors that I knew would keep me interested in the long run.

Working for a boutique company

In large companies, your role may be narrowly defined, and it can be challenging to see the results of your work. Stepping outside of the box and trying something new might be even more difficult! In a smaller company, you’ll have more opportunities to make a meaningful impact and help improve things.  As a result, your work is more likely to be recognized, and you'll have a greater sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. 

Having the opportunity to work on various tasks can help develop a broader range of skills and experiences, which can be valuable in the long run. Plus, it can be more exciting and rewarding to work on different projects rather than doing the same thing every day. 

I find it very fulfilling to have variation in my job or even take on tasks that aren’t typical engineering tasks (like writing this blog!). That’s something I found more difficult to do in larger companies. In a smaller company, you'll have more opportunities for growth and development. For example, you'll have the opportunity to take on managing roles and responsibilities more quickly.

Additionally, because small companies are often more agile, they may be more willing to invest in their employees' training and development. As someone who wants to learn new stuff all the time, that’s a huge plus for me.

Choosing consultancy over an internal position

One of the main advantages of consulting is that it allows you to work with a wide range of clients and industries. Unlike an internal position, where you may be limited to the scope and focus of your company, as a consultant you have the opportunity to work with a variety of organizations, each with its unique challenges and opportunities. For someone like me, who is passionate about learning and developing new skills, consulting provides these new experiences and challenges.

Additionally, as a consultant, you can choose the projects and clients that you work with, which can help you tailor your work to your interests and strengths. Another benefit of consulting is the opportunity to build a strong professional network. By working with a variety of clients and industries, you have the chance to meet and collaborate with a diverse range of professionals. This can help you develop new skills, expand your knowledge, and build a reputation as an expert in your field.

In conclusion, while internal positions may offer stability and security, consulting can provide a more dynamic and diverse career path. From the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients and industries to the flexibility and independence it provides, consulting can be an exciting and rewarding option for those who are looking for something more. So if you're considering your next career move, don't discount the benefits of consulting – it may just be the path you've been looking for!

Focus on more than just technical skills

In today's fast-paced world, technical skills are highly valued, especially for data engineers. However, companies that focus solely on technical skills when recruiting may overlook the importance of soft skills. 

Communication skills are extremely important for an engineer. Often you’ll work with less technical stakeholders or managers and have to be able to explain your design or development to get them on board with your ideas. If you’re able to communicate effectively you’ll be better able to understand their needs and provide the right technical solutions.  

The idea of the engineers hiding away in dark rooms behind their terminals is so outdated! Good engineering is teamwork and strong people skills are essential for effective collaboration. You could be a technical genius, but if your communication contorts into an incomprehensible calamitous squalor... you won't get very far. People with good interpersonal skills also tend to be more fun to have as colleagues and create a better atmosphere at work! ;)

Another reason why I like focussing on more than purely technical skills is that cool technologies and new tools are worth nothing when they’re not used in the right way. It’s extremely important to think about architecture and processes and how a certain tool or technology fits into the already existing landscape. It’s easy to start using something new, cool open source, but it’s way more challenging (and fun!) to build a good process that empowers the users and to work towards a sustainable solution for a customer.

Having fun with your colleagues

There’s nothing more boring than having to sit through a lunch break trying to figure out what to say to your colleagues to break the silence…, trust me on that one. Having fun with colleagues, whether it's through team-building activities, social events, or simply a good sense of humor, can have a significant impact on your overall well-being.

Having a good relationship with your colleagues makes you better at working together, collaborating more effectively, communicating more openly, and ultimately achieving better results. Being able to bounce ideas off one another in a supportive, collaborative, and fun atmosphere helps to create the best possible outcomes. Having fun at work can also help to build a more positive attitude towards your work. When we enjoy the people we work with and look forward to spending time with them, it can help us to feel more engaged and motivated.

For me personally, it’s important to have a young (at heart) team, because I’ve experienced it as being more inspiring and energizing. Younger team members (and the young at heart) often bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the table and are less afraid to take risks and try new things. This can lead to greater innovation and creativity, as you are encouraged to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. 

Of course, it’s also important to provide younger colleagues with mentorship and training opportunities to help them grow. Stepping into more managing roles and helping them to reach their full potential can be a great and interesting experience by itself as well.

Are you starting to get convinced to join Tropos, a boutique consulting company that focuses on more than just technical skills with a lot of fun colleagues? Make sure to check out our vacancies!