Like many others, Oscar Smedjebacka wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after high school. Although video games caught his interest, it was programming that truly captivated him. Today, Oscar helps some of Finland’s largest companies discover and develop top software solutions while tackling real business challenges.
Oscar graduated from Aalto University in 2017 with a Master’s degree in Information Technology, majoring in Software Engineering. Since 2020, Oscar has been thriving at Teamit as a full stack consultant. At Teamit, he has built modern web services and backend systems for telecom operators, logistics and cybersecurity companies, as well as retail businesses.
How did you become a professional in your field? What was your starting point?
– After high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in the future. I loved video games, so I decided to try IT studies at Aalto University, and that’s when I got hooked on programming.
What do you like most about working as a software developer? What motivates you?
– Two things really motivate me: seeing customer satisfaction and my genuine interest in programming and problem solving. When you enjoy what you do, motivation comes naturally.
– I particularly enjoy solving challenging problems. My thinking is very logical, and I usually manage to solve business-related issues effectively. It’s very rewarding to see how even a small solution can greatly benefit and delight a customer. For example, there was a situation where my customer asked our team to implement a solution, but I soon realized that it wouldn’t work in practice. I brought this up with the business team, and after some discussion, we ended up with a completely different solution that worked very well. Moments like these really bring me joy.
– Plus, this field is exciting because technology is constantly evolving and there’s always something new to learn!
What are you most proud of in your work? Where have you succeeded?
Oscar has received excellent feedback on his teamwork and his ability to quickly grasp new concepts.
– Having worked as a developer within a team for a long time, there isn’t always one major success that stands out. Most of the achievements are the benefits brought by small changes, fixes, and additional functionalities. It’s also great to see that the code I produce is actually used and benefits people. I’m probably most proud of the fact that I almost always manage to solve problems.
What challenges have you faced in your work?
– I find that challenges often stem from the internal dynamics of the development team and client work. Clients rarely know exactly what they want, in what order, or on what timeline. Defining tasks, estimating workload, and scheduling are almost always challenging. Fortunately, I’ve mostly been part of great teams, so that aspect has been easier.
– Additionally, a common challenge, especially in larger organizations, is the lack of visibility. Information tends to get siloed within teams, making it difficult for others to access.
Have you noticed anything in particular that is typical in your field?
– There are many characteristic aspects. Many teams claim to be agile and aspire to be so, but often due to business pressures, more rigid methods sometimes have to be used. Technologies and tools in software development change very quickly. Currently, generative AI is a big thing, but it is still somewhat unclear what changes it will bring.
How do you develop your skills?
– At Teamit, every employee has a personal development plan. Sometimes the plan includes completing a specific course or obtaining a certification, while other times it offers more general guidelines for skill enhancement. The key in skill development is being aware of where the field and customer needs are headed, and proactively keeping your skills up to date.
– When I started at Teamit, I immediately began to dive deeper into AWS. Recently, I’ve learned how to use GitHub Copilot, and I also participated in a GenAI certification training organized for all Teamit colleagues. That training particularly impressed me with how different parameters can influence the performance of various language models. In my work, I’ve had the opportunity to build AI agents.
– I develop my skills as needed. I don’t usually spend a lot of time learning techniques in advance; rather, when something needs to be implemented, I figure out which option is best (or at least good enough) and then learn the technique as needed. I learn best by doing. If I study a topic in advance, I might forget everything before I get a chance to actually apply that knowledge. The customer’s context also always influences my learning, as familiar technologies can be used differently in various environments.
Any plans for the future?
– I don’t have any very specific future plans. I consider myself fortunate to be in a situation where the work is meaningful and there’s always something new to learn with ongoing projects and evolving technologies.
Oscar’s expertise covers a long list of key customer needs – for example, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, React, VueJS, Kotlin, Spring, Terraform, AWS, Docker… you name it, he’s got it!!
How do Teamit’s values (attitude, openness, trust, enthusiasm) show in your work?
Oscar is an example of an open, honest, and reliable expert. These qualities are among the most important criteria during our hiring process at Teamit.
– If I promise to do something, I do it. If I encounter problems, I ask for help so that they can be resolved as quickly as possible. I might not be the most exuberant person, but I certainly have a strong interest in the field and in application development!
What advice would you give to students in this field?
Oscar emphasizes that personal coding projects, communication skills, and a general understanding of technology can be much more useful during an interview than course grades.
– Studies provide a good foundation, and a degree may help in finding the first job. However, work life is quite different, as universities usually don’t teach all the frameworks and tools that are used in real development work; you really learn the most when you’re on the job. And once you’ve entered the field and have even one job under your belt, the degree quickly becomes less significant during job applications. So, it’s best not to stress too much about every course grade or your overall GPA. The most important thing is to understand the basics and know how to apply them when needed. Any additional details can always be looked up online, unlike exam content.
But remember to enjoy your student life while it lasts!
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