Developer Spotlight

If you’re thinking about a career in web development, advice from someone working in the field can help.
We talked with a developer from Arcusys – a software development company that uses open source solutions based on Liferay technology.
Started in 2003 in Finland, Arcusys also has offices in Russia and the United States. It’s been named one of the best workplaces in Europe (check out the award here) and voted 4th best place to work in Finland.
Matti Mehtonen is a senior front end web developer with Arcusys. He appreciates accuracy, attention to detail, and is passionate about solving complex problems. He also works as a designer and enjoys making things beautiful. JavaScript is his favourite coding language and he uses it on a daily basis, as well as CSS and HTML.
Here are Matti’s insights into the world of web development:

Why did you decide to become a web developer?

I started as a designer, but quickly became fascinated about the technical side of the web. For a while I did both design and development, but there isn’t time for both. I had to choose one and focus on it entirely. I chose development because it felt better suited for me.

What do you enjoy the most about web development?

The change. Web is evolving fast and there are always new things to learn. Things you learn today may become obsolete tomorrow. Every day you become a bit better at what you do and there are always new challenges.

What do you find is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Finding a good balance between my professional and personal life. This balance is still a work in progress for me, but I’m getting better at it.

What habits or personal traits do you find are the most helpful for being successful?

If you are willing to take the time to learn web development, there’s nothing stopping you. You can become successful in this field.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a web developer?

Read books, watch tutorials and hack around. Find the learning techniques best suited for you. Try to understand why things work as they do.