From a hobby to a profession

Aleksi Huotala. Developer. Started as a trainee in 2019.

I've been around computers and technology since I was 12. What started as a hobby gradually grew into a career.

In 2019, as I was finishing my B.Sc., I started thinking about applying to Reaktor. I was first introduced to the company during a company excursion. Reaktor also hosted a code-golfing competition, which was an excellent opportunity to forget about "clean code" principles taught at school. It was also an approachable way to get to know Reaktor. I immediately felt that Reaktor would be an ideal place to grow both personally and professionally, surrounded by highly skilled people.

And here we are, seven years later – I'm still working here and occasionally remembering my first day at Reaktor with warmth. It has been quite a journey.

What's the best part of your work? The funniest? The most meaningful?

The best parts of working at Reaktor are the opportunities to make an impact and the discussions I have with my colleagues. There is always something to share and learn - it's a continuous cycle of learning and sharing knowledge.

I’m especially proud of the work we do for our clients and the flexibility to choose projects that match your interests and strengths. The relaxed yet professional and supportive atmosphere, along with various hobby clubs, adds an element of fun and creates opportunities to connect with colleagues through shared interests.

What did you learn during your first summer at Reaktor? Is there something that happened back then that has stuck with you ever since?

Since it was my first job in software consultancy, many aspects felt new and even a bit intimidating. Consulting was a completely new world to me. The most important things I learned were to be open-minded and transparent. Transparency is key to team success, and I quickly realized that there are almost a million ways to write good software. Learning to appreciate different approaches and openly communicating with the team has stayed with me ever since.

What would you want to share with all the future trainees out there in the world?

If you don't know the answer to something, it's okay to say, "I don't know yet, but I'll find out and get back to you". Once you’ve said it, you can focus on the next task and return to it with clarity. And if you're unsure, ask. Even small doubts are worth sharing. The best learning and the best teamwork often begin with a simple question.