Continued learning and a meaningful mission statement: These are the work perks ThoughtWorks developers Daniel Lockman and Helen Shin name as some of their favorites. Variety is the norm at the company, which provides tech consultancy for clients all around the globe. Lockman and Shin explained what brought them to ThoughtWorks and what’s kept them there — and why they’ll probably never leave.
What first attracted you to ThoughtWorks?
Lockman: ThoughtWorks immediately struck me as a company that takes the craft of developing software seriously. It seemed like a great opportunity to develop my skills while working on a vast array of different problems and domains.
Shin: I was initially attracted to ThoughtWorks for their unconventional approach to hiring and their “show us what you can do” approach, versus the more traditional timeboxed algorithmic or tool specific questions I’ve come across before. ThoughtWorks’ mission — to better humanity through software — really resonated with me, and I found it refreshing to find a company that puts diversity first.
What attracts you to consulting and traveling as a lifestyle?
Lockman: Consulting can be great because I'm always given an opportunity to try something new whether that's a role, a client problem domain or a technology landscape.
Shin: In my time with ThoughtWorks, I’ve worked in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, India and am now working in Berlin, Germany. Being on-site with our clients helps me be a better consultant, because I’m able to develop much more personal relationships with our clients. And on a personal note, exposure to all of these different places and cultures have helped me build empathy and connect with friends and family all over the world.
How have you been encouraged to continue learning in your time here?
Lockman: My managers have sent me to several conferences that have helped me learn about emerging trends in tech. I was also encouraged to give a workshop at a conference with a more senior colleague, which helped greatly with my presentation skills and building my network with other conference speakers.
Shin: Our office regularly schedules sessions for both consultants and outside speakers to come in and give talks on a wide variety of topics, like technology, social justice and art. Sitting in on these talks when I’m home helps me connect to the community and I always leave thinking about something just a little bit differently.
What are the dynamics of working as a software consultant compared to working for a product company?
Lockman: While product companies have their own challenges, consulting lets you experience a much broader array of organizational dynamics and technical constraints. While it can be difficult to understand how a client ended up with a particular architecture and set of problems, it also comes without all the organizational and personal baggage that shaped the current state. It's important to have empathy to the context of decisions made in the past, but this different perspective can be extremely helpful for figuring out novel solutions and approaches.
Shin: I’ve found in my time here that I enjoy teaching others about software. Teaching comes naturally to me when I’m explaining a technical concept to someone who isn’t “technical” or is less so. As a consultant, I’m also regularly working on skills like coaching or facilitation, and as a result I’ve developed much better communication skills. I find the journey we go on with our clients very rewarding — we learn a lot together.
How have you seen ThoughtWorks encourage an inclusive workplace?
Lockman: ThoughtWorkers tend to have strong opinions, and like participating in open discourse. But it's clearly built on a foundation of trust, respect and sensitivity to the experiences of others.
Shin: ThoughtWorks is very intentional about developing leadership opportunities for women, and in promoting from within the company.
What makes you want to come to work every day?
Lockman: Part of our core mission is to help organizations solve their most pressing challenges, and I quite enjoy participating in that. I feel that working with clients every day to solve interesting and difficult technical and organizational problems not only makes a real positive difference in their world, but is also quite fulfilling personally.
Shin: ThoughtWorks feels like home to me. Amidst all of the stickies and sharpies and LEGOs, I feel like I can be my authentic self.
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