My journey to a career in tech began during my senior year of high school — though I didn’t realize it at the time.
Back then, I often found myself sneaking into my friend’s computer programming class during lunch to watch him build silly games. I never imagined I could do something like that, let alone build a career in technology.
Fast-forward a decade: I was working as a business analyst when my company experienced a major round of layoffs. Unsure of what to do next, I decided to take a risk. I enrolled in a six-month coding boot camp, and to my surprise, I loved it. Coding was a perfect blend of problem-solving and creativity, and it felt like I’d finally found my calling.
“Coding was a perfect blend of problem-solving and creativity, and it felt like I’d finally found my calling.”
When I graduated from the boot camp in 2018, I landed my first role as a software engineer at KUBRA, thanks to a hiring manager who was willing to take a chance on me. Those first months were transformative. My manager and colleagues provided me with mentorship and support, allowing me to learn and grow quickly.
What KUBRA Does
KUBRA provides North American utility and government entities with a portfolio of customer experience management solutions, including meter-to-cash and outage communications solutions that involve billing and payment, mapping and mobile app notifications.
After two years, I left KUBRA to join a startup, hoping to gain new experiences. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize how much I missed KUBRA’s collaborative culture and commitment to professional growth.
I returned to KUBRA with new skills and a renewed appreciation for the company’s values. In 2022, I was promoted to senior software engineer, and in 2023, I stepped into my current role as an engineering manager—a position that marks a new chapter in my career.
KUBRA’s Investment in Professional Development
What sets KUBRA apart is its commitment to personal and professional development. Here, development isn’t just about building technical skills; it’s about empowering each person to pursue their broader goals.
One of the most impactful aspects is our mentorship program, which encourages employees at all levels to connect with mentors who can support their career aspirations. Through this program, we’re encouraged to share our personal goals with someone who genuinely wants to help us succeed.
Mentors provide guidance, offer insights and help us set realistic steps to reach those goals. This collaborative environment means that growth at KUBRA is both supported and intentional, allowing each of us to pursue our potential while feeling part of a team that values our individual ambitions.
“This collaborative environment means that growth at KUBRA is both supported and intentional, allowing each of us to pursue our potential while feeling part of a team that values our individual ambitions.”
KUBRA also fosters innovation and encourages employees to explore new ideas and technologies.
One of the things I love the most about working here is that we’re not afraid to try new things. Focusing on innovation has allowed me to expand my technical skill set and stay current in a fast-evolving industry — developing as both a developer and as a leader.
Because we are always encouraged to bring our own ideas to the table, I have been able to develop my problem-solving skills and my ability to communicate technical ideas in a digestible way. Now, as a manager, my role challenges me to take on greater responsibility, make strategic decisions and support my team’s success, helping them align their own passions with their work and ensuring they feel as engaged and supported as I do..
Stepping Outside of the Comfort Zone
Throughout my career here, I’ve learned that growth often comes from stepping out of my comfort zone. Early on, I volunteered for challenging tasks that seemed beyond my abilities. This approach exposed me to new skills, broadened my knowledge and helped me build the confidence to tackle uncertainty head-on.
Technical skills can be learned anywhere, but because of the opportunities I’ve had at KUBRA, I’ve learned to trust my instincts, be brave enough to make mistakes, develop ideas for improvement and present them to my peers — and, most recently, lead a team of amazing engineers in building and supporting critical services and products.
“Technical skills can be learned anywhere, but because of the opportunities I’ve had at KUBRA, I’ve learned to trust my instincts and be brave enough to make mistakes.”
I feel so fortunate that KUBRA took a chance on me as a brand-new developer with no real-world experience in 2018, and that they have supported me on my journey to becoming who I am today. I’m incredibly excited to see who I will become in the years ahead.
If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s that growth requires bravery. Whether it’s learning to code, mentoring others or stepping into leadership, every challenge has been an opportunity to build something meaningful — not just for myself but for the people I work with every day.
KUBRA took a chance on me, and it’s a chance that’s made all the difference.
