At 3Ci, we’re lucky enough to work with some of Atlanta’s most talented tech, creative, and digital professionals. In this Talent Spotlight Series, we’re shining a light on the Atlanta techies who found their dream job through 3Ci. We hope their stories will inspire you to make your next career move. 

For now, let’s dive into our conversation with Ronnie, an Application Developer II at a full-service financial institution.

Tell us a bit about your professional background.
I grew up in Macon, GA and then went to Virginia Tech to study engineering. Due to some family hardships, I ended up switching schools and graduating from Radford University with a degree in computer science. My first job was in software development with Deloitte, and then I became an Application II Developer for Macy’s where I stayed for about four years.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An engineer. A lot of my relatives tried to persuade me to become a math teacher because I was good at math, but teaching didn’t excite me.

Tell us about your current role and responsibilities.
I’m an Application Developer II supporting applications for our financial core systems. My main tasks involve updating old websites to newer modern website styles and templates as well as updating outdated processes with new business logic and functionality to improve performance and efficiency. We also have an online banking product with an outside vendor that I support by implementing new items and supporting current processes.

What initially drew you to the computer science world?
Growing up, I was really into video games, math, science, and building Legos. I’ve always wanted to do something hands-on and like the idea of building something from nothing. At first, I thought engineering would be the right path for me, but I was also interested in computers and technology. I worked with eight different computer languages in college, so I figured I could give it a shot in the real world.

What is the greatest reward of your work?
As a developer, I really like to solve problems. Having someone in a business unit say to me, “The application’s been doing this for years, can you fix it?” and actually be able to deliver a solution is my greatest satisfaction. It’s also cool when you work on something and then see people outside in the real world using your product.

And the greatest challenge?
Keeping up with the industry. The IT world moves fast, and it can be hard to adapt. Things are constantly changing, and some people get burnt out. Also, a lot of these larger companies use old code, so you have to find a balance between doing your job and staying on top of what’s new.

How do you stay informed in an ever-evolving industry?
I’m a member of ACM (Association of Computing Machinery), and that helps me stay up-to-date with what’s new.

Any advice for all the job seekers out there?
Be open-minded. Don’t try to pigeon hole yourself and say, “I just want to be a backend developer.” In an industry that’s always changing, you need to stay versatile, open-minded, and up to speed.

What do you like to do for fun in Atlanta?
I like to relax, maybe catch a movie. Sometimes I’ll get cabin fever and head into the city to just be a tourist for the day. I like to explore museums, go to the Atlanta Zoo, enjoy a Braves game.

Tell us about your experience working with 3Ci.
I was laid off from my last job in September of 2017 and started job searching online. One of 3Ci’s recruiters reached out to me about the position. I decided to move forward and, within a week, I had a job offer. Most recruiting companies use outdated processes, but 3Ci was different. They helped me create a video package, offered great feedback, and checked in on me throughout the interview process. I’ve never worked with a recruiting agency like that before. 3Ci made me feel really comfortable throughout the entire process.

Are you a tech, digital, or creative professional looking for your next job? Search open positions with 3Ci and apply today. 

Looking to land your dream UX design job with a Fortune 500 in Atlanta? From perfecting your portfolio to nailing the interview, here’s exactly what you need to know.  Click below to learn more!

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