In the fast-paced world of technology, a decade is a significant span that witnesses evolution, growth, and continuous learning. Meet David, a Senior Software Engineer II and valuable member of the RUSH team. He embarked on his professional journey with the company straight out of university. In this blog post, we dive into David's reflections on his journey, the highlights, challenges and the exciting future that lies ahead.

The Beginning - Joining RUSH:

For David, the journey began with the allure of RUSH – his first job out of university and the first job he applied for in New Zealand. It was meant to be. The small size of the company, the amiable people, and the shared age group with leaders like Danu Abeysuriya drew him in. Even during the interview process, David could sense the cool culture at RUSH, particularly in the realm of gaming technology that fascinated him from the start.

Evolution of Roles and Key Achievements:

Over the years, David's role at RUSH has evolved significantly. Reflecting on his journey, he expresses profound gratitude for securing a job that he genuinely loves, attributing it to a stroke of luck. 

A standout accomplishment in his career is his involvement in the NZ Covid Tracer project, where he played a pivotal role from its inception. Contributing to the development of an app that was instrumental in New Zealand’s Covid-19 response, a product that had widespread impact during the pandemic fills him with immense pride. Additionally, the following work David and the team were able to do on implementing RUSH’s unique QR check-in technology to the UK’s NHS Test n Trace programme was significant.. 

Another pivotal milestone in David’s tenure at RUSH was the successful completion of the Watercare App project last year. Marked by seamless execution, a positive client relationship, and excellent team dynamics, this project resulted in a product the team takes great pride in. Notably, it was also his first project as a Lead, signifying a significant step in his professional journey.

David concludes by expressing his continued enthusiasm, emphasising that he never gets bored —there's always something different and new on the horizon.

Navigating Challenges:

David acknowledges that, like most Software Engineers, the challenge over the years has been mostly technical ones. RUSH's supportive environment has always allowed him to seek help, ask questions of anyone and collaborate with colleagues. He emphasises the absence of people problems and office politics at RUSH, attributing it to the exceptional company culture.

“The hiring, the people, and the company culture is great. I’ve never had a problem in my 10 years; everyone has always been available and willing to help when I needed it”. 

Words of Wisdom for Newcomers:

David's advice for new employees at RUSH centres around the theme of asking questions without hesitation. The practice, he believes, not only accelerates problem solving but also builds relationships and friendships within the team. Through cooperation, communication and the continuous exchange of questions, employees contribute not only to their own growth but also to the thriving collaborative culture at RUSH. 

Adapting to Industry Trends:

In terms of technology and industry trends, David's approach involves embracing the joy of learning something new. He highlights the importance of understanding fundamental engineering principles, which transcend specific programming languages. While he finds AI intriguing, he remains cautious about its use in coding, expressing concerns about biases in the data on which AI is trained.

The RUSH Experience - Quick Fire Round:

Looking to the Future:

As David looks ahead, he expresses excitement about working on more impactful projects that link to RUSH’s purpose - to design and build technology to better serve humankind. More clients like Unicef, Watercare and the Ministry of Health, and more innovative projects and products like R/VISION. He’s also excited about the trajectory of the business and the organic growth in people that lies ahead.

David's decade at RUSH encapsulates a journey marked by continuous learning, impactful projects and a supportive work environment. As he navigates the evolving tech landscape, his story is a testament to our culture and its commitment to fostering growth, collaboration and innovation.