Erika Stiebel: Writing code remotely

Since March 2021 all of the Learnifier employees work fully remote until we find our new space. Every week we check in with one Learnifier, getting a glimpse into their remote work life and get their best tips for wellbeing and productivity. This time we interviewed our plant lover and Front End developer Erika Stiebel.

Hi Erika, what do you do at Learnifier?

- I work as a Front End developer.

Exciting. What does it mean and what do you do on a daily basis?

I usually explain it like “I write code for what you see on your screen - what the user sees and interacts with in the web browser. “ 

I work in a team together with Back End, Full Stack and other Front End developers as well as Product Designers and UX. You can say my role is the link between Backend and UX.

What does your typical day look like now and where do you work?

- I live in Kristineberg at Kungsholmen in Stockholm and from here I work most of the time. By using different digital communication tools I interact with my team members and stakeholders. We start every day with a daily standup in the team to check in on our progress and if there are any problems that someone needs help with. The rest of the day differs a lot due to the tasks I am focusing on and in what phase of development we are in.

How did you end up doing what you do and working here at Learnifier?

- I worked  in retail for many years. I didn’t really know what to do for a career.
I have always been interested in crafts, design and building things and one day I got a tip to try a course in web development so I did that. I got a taste for it and after that I studied courses like interaction design and Front End development.

I started my career at Expressen (one of the largest Swedish newspapers) and have worked in a few different industries after that, like for example a web agency and a Startup in HR-tech.

In some of those roles I was far away from the end users and I wanted to work more closely with them as well as other departments. Then I saw the Learnifer ad. I liked the idea of working for a Scaleup where it is easier to get to know people and really see how you affect things and bring value to both the end user and the business. I got a “warm feeling” right away when I was interviewed for the role in the spring of 2021 and I am excited and happy to be here.

What is your main Superpower and how has it helped you now during Covid?

- I think one of my superpowers is that I am very curious as a person. "Let’s do it and let’s try it" is my mentality when faced with challenges.

Which are some of the big work challenges you have faced during Corona/remote work times?

- Not being able to see people has been the biggest challenge. I want to talk and listen to people. You cannot do that as easily remotely. Online meetings work well 1 to 1, but as soon as you are a larger group - not as well. Co-creation and creativity, which is the part I like most about my job, is more challenging when it comes to doing it together with distance.

Being part of a family where several of you work and / or study from home can be a challenge because it is very easy to distract each other. You need to be really creative about the spaces you have.

What good aspects have you found working remotely?

-I enjoy the freedom to work from anywhere. We have recently bought a country house in Östergötland in Sweden from where I plan to work some of the time.

Another advantage is saving time on commute and getting more time to spend with family. Also you get more time for studies. I am at the moment for example taking a course in ceramics.  As a dog owner I also appreciate spending time with my dog and getting out for walks during lunch.

What have you learned? Advice for others?

- Nr 1 I would say is to change the environment often. Also try to get outside, get some fresh air during the day. And enjoy the possibility, if you can, to plan your work around your life. Maybe you take an afternoon off and work in the evening instead or start early in the morning and take a long lunch.

How will your dream work situation be in a few months?

I would like to have the option to see my colleagues for workshops, creating synergy and developing together. Writing the code I can do at home.

So a mix of being at the office and working remotely.

Interview by: Rebecca Cannerfelt

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