My name is Pauli and I have been working at Surveypal as a frontend developer for about four years even though I have never received any official training or education in computer science. In fact, my field of expertise is officially in the world of classical music, more precisely composition, theory and history.

I have been extremely passionate both about music and programming since I was a child. I have tried and failed over and over again to create simple graphical effects and games with QuickBasic on an old Intel 286 just as much as i have tried and failed to create music on the classic Impulse Tracker 2.14.

Before I joined Surveypal, programming was a hobby: creating static web pages with PHP, developing games with C#, attempting to build web apps using JavaScript and JQuery. My experience with modern web development technologies like TypeScript, React and Node.js was practically zero, but that didn’t scare me: I saw an interesting job posting, I applied, and I got in.

Everyone at Surveypal has been supportive of me joining the company, its codebase and its culture.

I never expected any workplace, especially my first workplace, to be so open to new people with such a limited skill set, yet Surveypal has certainly been that.

Programming can be extremely difficult without passion. Often a programmer must think in a way that’s unnatural for humans, and even simple problems may not be as straightforward as you might think. It is a creative endeavor where one must try and fail and try again, which requires a lot of patience, and that patience comes from passion.

So, in a way, writing code and writing music are not that different from each other, are they?

Now I am a reasonably experienced developer in some of the most relevant technologies of the day, but the journey is not over. No-one is ever a complete programmer. Even those who have been in the business for decades must learn new things regularly. Sometimes it’s a new programming language, sometimes a new style, sometimes new software, sometimes a whole new paradigm. That is the nature of this industry, and it is for the better not just for the industry, but also for personal cognitive health, mental health and life balance.

On the side, I write lots of original orchestral music and arrange music from video games, anime and films for symphony orchestras, choirs and wind bands. I also play video games, mostly focusing on one titled Overwatch 2, and some board games, mostly focusing on one known as Riichi Mahjong. If I have the time, you might catch me watching a game of hockey or pesäpallo.

I joined Surveypal as a Sales Manager in October 2022, and it has proven to be a highly rewarding experience. Right from the start, I was impressed by the company’s straightforward approach to recruitment, which resonated with my own values. I particularly appreciated the transparency and openness surrounding the role, making me feel confident in my decision to join.

During the onboarding process I was warmly welcomed by a friendly and supportive team. Their willingness to lend a helping hand made the transition into the organization smooth, allowing me to feel valued and motivated from day one.

Something that truly stands out at Surveypal is the emphasis on collaboration. The team’s open communication fosters an environment of trust and camaraderie. I am grateful for the level of trust and autonomy given to me, enabling me to take ownership of my work and contribute my ideas to the company’s growth.

As a team, we celebrate victories together and tackle challenges as a united front, learning from mistakes and setbacks along the way.

While my journey at Surveypal has been predominantly positive, like in any other workplace, we every now and then encounter challenges. However, the support and encouragement I have received from my colleagues have helped me face obstacles head-on, leading to personal and professional growth.

My experience as a Sales Manager at Surveypal is a fulfilling journey of growth, team spirit, and overcoming challenges. I am excited to continue on this journey and look forward to what the future holds for both myself and the company.

Outside of work, I find solace and inspiration in various hobbies. Hiking allows me to connect with nature, art exhibitions ignite my creativity and appreciation for human expression, and yoga keeps me centered and mindful. Moreover, my passion for traveling has led me to explore 25 countries, embracing diverse cultures and broadening my perspective on life.