Working Remotely As A Software Developer For Rocket Innovation Studio

Regardless of your background or years of professional experience, starting a new role at any company is usually accompanied by a whirlwind of emotions. From the moment a job offer is accepted, each one of us may experience varying degrees of excitement and anxiety all rolled into one.

As we mentally prepare ourselves to adapt to a new environment with novel challenges to overcome, our minds fabricate all sorts of narratives of how our first day, week or month might look like, hoping we'd made the right decision.

When I signed on to Rocket Innovation Studio in September of 2020, I didn't know what to expect. Although I'd worked at other companies in a hybrid capacity (a mix of remote and in-office), this time felt different.

Given the unpredictability of the last few months, a career move to fully remote work for an employer I hadn't heard of in a city (Windsor, Ontario) I'd never set foot in during a pandemic felt crazy and downright risky. As a gainfully employed software developer, a job transition wasn't exactly high on my list of immediate priorities. While I wasn't closed off to the idea of a switch, I'd wondered if postponing a transition until COVID-19 had stabilized was a more prudent strategy.

After weighing my decision, I talked myself into taking a leap of faith. However, unprecedented times called for extraordinary due diligence on my part to ensure that I wasn't going in completely blind. It was important to me to find not just any company, but the right company.

What was the right company, then? What new strategies would I employ to navigate the post-pandemic job market? What support would I need to succeed in a remote role that I'd previously taken for granted in the office?

I wanted a smooth, virtual on-boarding experience along with the ability to build trust and rapport with my team members virtually. I needed to know how my performance would be evaluated and what I needed to do to be noticed absent the in-person interaction.

I had more questions. How would I discern a culture with both good work-life balance and career growth potential without setting foot in an office? What strategies were in place to enable a culture of equity and inclusion for remote and in-office team members alike?

A quick glance at the ISMs page left me with cautious optimism. The skeptic in me wanted to label it as nothing more than shallow marketing fluff, yet the optimist was intrigued. The copy was a stark contrast to any place I'd previously worked.

The messaging felt more typical of a young, agile start-up than of a 36-year-old corporate behemoth. How could these ideas even scale? I read on.

• "It’s not about WHO is right; it’s about WHAT is right."
• "The inches we need are everywhere around us."
• "You’ll see it when you believe it."
• "Yes before no."

Without having worked a day at Rocket Innovation Studio, I'd already felt a welcoming aura I couldn't quite put my finger on. These ISMs alone were able to convey a powerfully alluring message that spoke directly to the workplace I'd been looking for.

I imagined a workplace where corporate arrogance and hierarchies were discarded in favor of autonomous and flat structures – a place where the keys to career advancement weren't jealously guarded by the select few "know-it-alls" threatened by job rotation of any kind.

I imagined a place where every team member was given a chance to step up and be heard and to see their leaders take action when something wasn't right – a place where innovation from all levels was woven into the fabric of its culture and where the words "but it's always been done this way" would never see the light of day.

It wasn't long before my hopes would be confirmed.

From the first week, the words of my leaders echoed in my mind, putting any anxiety I'd had to rest while setting the tone for the future of my career.

"If you're in this meeting today, you've already made it. You've been selected from the top fintech talent in Canada," our Director (now Vice President) Jasen Sams said. He signaled full confidence and trust in our abilities to be successful in our role.

"Not everyone will learn at the same pace or in the same way. Some will learn quicker than others, and that's OK," my team leader, Director Nik Stefanovski, reassured me when I revealed the areas of my job where I felt weaker.

These words were music to my ears. They were the anchor I needed to crush any lingering imposter syndrome commonly felt as a software developer. They displayed a rare emotional intelligence that spoke to what I had been thinking and feeling in my early days with the company.

They were the catalyst I needed to feed the fire of ambition within – to be my best, authentic self.

When COVID-19 hit, my LinkedIn news feed was dominated by companies awkwardly scrambling to pivot their business to be increasingly remote-friendly.

With Rocket Companies (Rocket Innovation Studio is one company under Rocket Companies.), you'd swear they were working as if they had been in a pandemic all along. From the unboxing experience of my Intel i9-powered Dell Precision laptop delivered to my door to the incredible benefits I'd been offered from day one, I knew they weren't messing around.

There was rarely any confusion surrounding what my daily priorities were, when my meetings occurred or who the people I needed to reach out to for support were. Most of my meetings were concise and to the point, and they had a specific agenda that was well understood.

They almost always started and ended at the noted times. When any meetings didn't fit the criteria, our feedback was taken seriously, and it was promptly rectified by leadership.

The measure of whether team culture permeates an organization or not is always found in the quality and appropriate frequency of the communication among its team members. To this end, Rocket Companies outperforms every metric imaginable.

When support is needed, no matter the issue, the feeling of somebody having your back is priceless. For hardware or software issues, there is a dedicated support line that is fast, friendly and responsive to problems that hinder productivity.

For obstacles impacting one's ability to perform, there are multiple people and resources available to ensure you are successful. There are leaders, mentors and technology wizards in every corner at your beck and call, ready to jump in, screenshare and make sure you get your work across the finish line.

In fact, when a high-priority and complex issue strikes, it's not uncommon for the entire team to jump on a call together and screenshare, ensuring that no one is left behind in the troubleshooting process.

For continued professional growth, there are dedicated internal channels for online learning and premium memberships to top-tier, well-known technology learning platforms. Plus, there are dedicated professional development days in addition to vacation days and a quarterly Hack Week where you can unleash your creative energy in learning a new library, framework or programming language and/or build something amazing, solo or in a team. The choice is yours!

"It's late – feel free to log off, Ben," my former Team Leader, Mridul Oli, remarked when he'd noticed I was working after hours.

For some, it may feel as though working remotely is a perk held over your head in exchange for burning the midnight oil. In a previous job, it wasn't uncommon to feel as though I had been taken for granted when repeatedly asked to stay late or work weekends on a regular basis. Fortunately, that isn't the case here.

Progressive leadership understands that a healthy body and mind lead to heightened productivity, great morale and sharp mental focus. Rocket Companies engages its team members on topics of wellness and the importance of work-life balance, reminding its team members to log off when working hours are over.

Just when you'd thought a company couldn't do any more to show appreciation for its team members, yoga sessions, virtual play dates for kids and confidential around-the-clock counseling services are offered to all who seek these perks.

It's no wonder why people have long-lasting careers here.

Rocket Companies is the "choose your own adventure" of the fintech space in North America. Whatever it is that you're looking for in your dream tech career, you will find it here, and then some. In a remote capacity, it operates like a well-oiled, highly functioning machine, barely flinching in the face of the most disruptive event of our generation.

It’s the most progressive, most diverse and most technologically advanced workforce I've ever had the privilege to be a part of, with a culture that is second to none. It’s a true meritocracy in every sense of the word.

No matter your background, expect Rocket Companies to welcome you with open arms, as it did me. Expect to be challenged like you've never been challenged before. Expect to make an impact beyond your wildest dreams as we gear up to be the best fintech force in North America and beyond.

What are you waiting for?