We asked Sahil, who works in a publicly traded NZ50 organization as a software engineer and programmer, how he got started and his advice for newcomers.

My day to day  is varied and dynamic. No two days are exactly the same. It's a great job to be in if you like to put your head down and focus on hard problems for potentially long periods of time. It might not be the best fit for you if you like socializing and talking to people or customers.

I would say that the most important thing for young people to do if they want to pursue a career as a software engineer is to gain a strong foundation in computer science and software development. This can involve taking classes and learning about topics such as data structures, algorithms, and programming languages. It's also important to gain practical experience by working on projects and building software applications. In addition to these technical skills, it's also important to develop strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, as well as good communication skills, since software engineers often work in teams and need to be able to collaborate effectively. Overall, a career in software engineering can be incredibly rewarding and offers a wide range of opportunities, so I would encourage anyone interested in this field to pursue their passion and learn as much as they can.

I would also encourage young people to stay curious and continue learning throughout their careers. The field of software engineering is constantly evolving and changing, and staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and developments is essential for success. This can involve attending conferences and workshops, reading industry publications, and participating in online communities and forums. Additionally, I would also encourage young people to be open to new experiences and opportunities, such as working on different types of projects or learning new programming languages. By staying curious and open to new challenges, you can continue to grow and develop as a software engineer, which will ultimately lead to more rewarding and fulfilling career opportunities.

There is no specific age at which software engineers are no longer good at their jobs. People's abilities and skills can vary regardless of their age, and there are many successful and talented software engineers who continue to excel in their careers well into their later years. That being said, it's important for all professionals, regardless of their age, to continue learning and staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and developments in their field in order to remain competitive and successful in the job market. By staying curious and committed to learning, software engineers can continue to be effective and valuable contributors to their teams and organizations throughout their careers.

Some of the most fun parts of my job include solving complex technical problems, working with a team to develop software applications, and seeing the final product of our efforts being used by people. I also enjoy the creative aspect of software engineering, as it allows me to use my imagination and problem-solving skills to develop unique and innovative solutions to challenging problems.

On the other hand, like any job, there are also aspects of my work that can be less enjoyable. For example, debugging code and fixing bugs can be tedious and time-consuming, and it can be frustrating when things don't work as expected. Additionally, working in the fast-paced and constantly-changing world of technology can be stressful at times, as it can be difficult to keep up with the latest trends and developments. Overall, however, I would say that the enjoyable aspects of my job far outweigh the less enjoyable ones, and I am grateful for the opportunities and challenges that it presents.

Working with a large team can be very rewarding, as it allows you to collaborate with a diverse group of people with different skills and perspectives. This can lead to new ideas and insights, and can make the work more interesting and engaging. Additionally, being part of a large team can also provide support and accountability, which can help to keep you motivated and on track.

But it can also have its challenges. For example, coordinating the efforts of a large group of people can be complex and time-consuming, and can require strong communication and leadership skills. Additionally, working with a large team can also mean that decision-making can be more difficult, as it may require consensus-building and compromise.