Employee Spotlight - Meet Julia!

In this Employee Spotlight, we introduce Julia! Julia is a software engineer who thrives in the Dispatch work culture and remote workplace. Learn how she balances coding with collaboration to drive technology projects forward for customers and drivers. 

1. How has your career grown since starting at Dispatch?

In the span of just one year at Dispatch, my career has really taken off—perfect timing for a budding software engineer like me! I’ve been all over the tech map, from developing with React Native on our mobile projects to coding with React JS for our web apps, and even learning a new language with Rails for our backend. What's exciting is the daily opportunity to push the envelope with the latest and best practices—it's a bit like being in a tech playground. Next up, I’ll be diving into microservices, learning Go, and even exploring SageMaker for some cutting-edge AI projects. To all the non-developers, just know that this is the kind of stuff we techies geek out over!

2. What does a typical day in your role look like?

A typical day for me at Dispatch is all about balancing coding with collaboration. I kick off my mornings diving into code during my peak productivity hours. This quiet, focused time is crucial for tackling complex problems. Mid-morning, I shift gears to meet with the team for our standup, where we sync up on projects and progress. The rest of the day might include refinement sessions, working groups, or other company meetings, which keep us aligned and moving forward together. I usually wrap up my day with more coding, putting the finishing touches on whatever I'm currently building.

3. What is a project you have been recently involved in? 

Recently, I was involved in enhancing our 'Start Route' feature at Dispatch. This project focused on refining the functionality to make it more intuitive for our drivers, ensuring they had sufficient time to meet the service level agreements for these orders. This initiative not only streamlined operations for our drivers but also ensured timely deliveries for our customers, boosting our overall operational efficiency. It was a challenging project that had a positive impact across multiple facets of our service.

4. So far, what accomplishments are you most proud of here at Dispatch?

One of my proudest accomplishments at Dispatch has been my ability to quickly grasp our extensive codebase and actively contribute across various facets of our repository. I thrive on challenges and the opportunity to learn new things, and Dispatch has been the perfect environment for this. Whether it's diving into backend logic, enhancing our front-end interfaces, or understanding complex integrations, I've enjoyed the continuous learning opportunities. It's been incredibly rewarding to see how my contributions help drive our projects forward.

5. Which Dispatch core value(s) resonates with you the most and why?

The core value at Dispatch that resonates with me the most is 'People First.' I'm naturally drawn to collaborative environments where I can work alongside teammates on brainstorming and problem-solving. I also enjoy partnering with our product and UI teams to ensure we're providing the best possible experience for our drivers and customers. Being passionate about delivering excellent service is what drives me, and it’s fulfilling to see the positive impact of our collective efforts on the platform.

6. What is your favorite thing about working at Dispatch? 

My favorite aspect of working at Dispatch is undoubtedly the culture. We are a remote first company, which enables us to work alongside experts from various states and countries. Yet, Dispatch retains that distinct Minneapolis startup feel. It’s home to a dedicated hub of local professionals, maintaining the community spirit that first defined us. This blend of local charm and global opportunity is what I value most.