Life as a Senior Front-End Developer

What prompted you to pursue an opportunity as a Senior Front-End Developer?  

My path is unconventional, but for developers that’s not unusual. My Undergraduate Degree is in Biology and Neuroscience. While pursuing a Master of Business and Science, I became heavily involved in applied life sciences and consulting work. I happened to join a student chapter of a global biopharmaceutical non-profit and one of my tasks was to create a website. This is when I fell in love with coding and decided to learn as much as I possibly could. After working in several developer roles outside of the healthcare and biotech industry, I was fortunate to find a role here at Avalere Health, which for me is the perfect harmony of technology, science, and business. 

What do you find most rewarding about your work?  

I love the work itself. I still feel like it’s black magic sometimes, making pixels dance delightfully across the screen. I find it interesting to tackle complex tasks or issues, break them down into smaller chunks, and solve them individually or as a team. It is really rewarding when you have solved a problem or finished a difficult task.  

What does it take to succeed in your role?  

You need patience, dedication, and determination. Sometimes problems seem impossible, but you must be willing to persevere. You should also always be hungry to learn more. Having the drive for continuous learning and curiosity is essential. This industry moves extremely fast, and you have to keep your skills sharp and up to date. 

How would you describe the working environment at Avalere Health?  

The Digital team are an extremely friendly and supportive group. It’s easy to reach out and receive guidance on an issue that has you stumped. We get together twice a month and take turns presenting what we’re working on or teaching each other about an interesting topic. It is a great opportunity for me to always learn something new. 

How do you manage your work-life balance?  

I find it easy to manage my work-life balance here at Avalere Health. There are periods of crunch, especially during a launch or awaiting an approval, but, there are also periods of quiet and calmness. I never feel like I must compromise my well-being, and I have support when I need it. 

After a busy work week, how do you unwind? 

You can usually catch me playing volleyball 3-4 times a week all around Philadelphia. I play mostly indoors during the winter and on grass when it’s warmer out. Lately I have started bouldering and trying to improve how I climb. I also love to nerd out on things like Dungeons & Dragons, board games, and video games. 

I’m a board member of the Spruce Foundation, a local non-profit that helps cultivate the next generation of philanthropists and provides annual grants for youth-serving Philadelphia non-profits. I find it really rewarding. I love being able to help shape the next generation as well as making a difference.