The decision to change your career

Ilona’s story begins in the field of design, where she created educational materials for preschool children to learn English. Her journey began with her university thesis: creating a board game for learning a foreign language using a mobile application.

During the development of this project, she collaborated with an Android programmer, and that’s when she first encountered the concept of QA. “At that time, I was intrigued and thought that this profession might be a good fit for me,” Ilona recalls.

The idea of pursuing a career in QA continued to linger for about half a year, during which she encountered more triggers that built her curiosity. Giving in to this itch, she successfully gained admission to the Women4IT project, which offered a QA program. As she looks back on it, this was the crucial moment that inspired her to apply for the Junior QA position at scandiweb and embark on her career in a different field.

Each project comes with a new learning lesson

Now, after more than two and a half years, Ilona acknowledges that her learning journey has grown immensely. Starting with no prior work experience, she has evolved into one of the most skilled QA specialists in the company.

My development as a QA specialist was quite fast, and I had to learn a lot. Over the years at scandiweb, I have worked on several projects. Each project brought me new experiences, skills, and knowledge.

Ilona

Her journey began with simple frontend tasks and improvements, extending into integration projects with clear documentation and progressing into more complex endeavors. Even her background proved advantageous in her role, particularly when she tested a website restyling. Recalling her most challenging and engaging project, Ilona mentioned that over the course of a dedicated year, she ascended to the position of QA Lead.

I joined this project as an API QA specialist. Again, without much experience in this type of testing, I had to acquire new skills and technical knowledge; this is where I learned how to work on the platform Postman.

Ilona

Furthermore, during this project, Ilona tested a substantial volume of data. Subsequently, as the project evolved, she transitioned to an eCommerce project. “The project involves numerous intricate functionalities and integrations, which makes it incredibly fascinating to test and refine my testing skills every day. Currently, I’m assisting other specialists with their daily queries and sharing my experiences,” Ilona happily affirms.

Continuing growth with confidence

As Ilona has diligently built her knowledge base and honed her skills, she has elevated herself to become an experienced QA specialist. Through this journey, she has recognized the need to challenge an old stereotype—the notion that a QA specialist’s role is merely about “breaking things.” Ilona, however, holds a different perspective:

Being a QA specialist is about contributing to product improvement, and in turn, enhancing people’s lives. This understanding brings me daily satisfaction in the work I do.

Ilona

The input of a QA specialist is vital, as both technical and non-technical colleagues rely on their meticulous attention to detail. If you’re interested in embracing this responsibility as your career path, Ilona recommends engaging with experienced QA specialists to gain insights into the profession.

And if you have already made the decision to pursue this path, Ilona’s advice is straightforward: “Be curious. Be polite. Be a team player. Keep developing your skills.”

If you are ready to become another piece of the scandiweb puzzle, visit our Careers page and find the right fit for you in our team!

The post #scandiwebstories: QA is not about breaking things—it’s about improving the result appeared first on scandiweb.

Seeking balance

Natalia’s journey here began when she, like many working parents, sought a workplace that offered a better balance between her professional and family life. Natalia’s quest for a job that accommodated her family life was prompted by her previous demanding profession, which required her to be available round the clock.

“I was looking for a workplace where I could utilize my skills from my previous job while maintaining a work-life balance. scandiweb position for Project Manager could offer me both.”

Key factors in her job search were working no more than 40 hours a week and having flexible working hours. The possibility of remote work also played a crucial role in Natalia’s decision to join scandiweb. These features allowed her to manage her responsibilities as a parent better while pursuing her career goals.

Challenges and solutions

Parenting is no easy feat, as Natalia humorously notes, but her flexible working hours have been a game-changer. She can manage her child’s daycare schedule and still meet her professional commitments. Another key factor is that scandiweb doesn’t measure an employee’s worth by their availability at odd hours.

“scandiweb respects my working time and doesn’t demand that I be available after working hours or that I do something in my free time because all my free time is currently dedicated to my family.”

The company and Natalia’s team have been supportive in accommodating her needs as a working parent. It is possible to work longer hours on some days to shorten the workday on others, allowing her to attend her child’s kindergarten events. This has significantly impacted her ability to be present for her family.

Open communication and understanding

scandiweb fosters open communication and understanding between working parents and their managers or colleagues. If an employee needs time off for family matters, it is not a problem to reach out and take such time when necessary.

Natalia also highlights a humorous observation from her journey: effective communication at work is not so different from communicating with a three-year-old. Sometimes, it’s all about giving choices to avoid the dreaded “no” answer.

“I believe the great value lies in the system scandiweb has built, which starts with education and ends with clear instructions and project documentation. Everything is really clear and easy to understand.”

The balance is possible!

Natalia’s experience at scandiweb showcases the importance of a supportive work environment that recognizes the unique needs of working parents. Flexible hours, open communication, and understanding colleagues can make all the difference in achieving a healthy work-life balance.

Natalia’s advice to working parents is clear: don’t let stereotypes dictate your worth. Your value lies in what you deliver and your sense of responsibility. Find a workplace that values your life outside of work and offers the flexibility you need.

“Society often assumes that mothers will be constantly absent and not focused on work. Although working moms sometimes need to manage their time more than other colleagues, it doesn’t mean their delivery is worse. Just give us some flexibility, and we will conquer the world!“

If you are ready to become another piece of the scandiweb puzzle, visit our Careers page and find the right fit for you in our team!

The post #scandiwebstories: Balancing Work and Family with scandiweb appeared first on scandiweb.

Unlimited potential for new knowledge

“My path here started (as for many of us) from the job description, which I liked a lot. It made me feel that I wanted to apply immediately. After that, I received a test task that was so interesting and challenging at the same time that I wanted to get into the team even more!

I have never worked on such assignments before, so my new experience started even before joining the company because I was able to acquire new skills during the assignment. I thought: “If you can learn during the test task, imagine how much you will learn when you become an employee!”

I was absolutely right! Reality has shown that scandiweb projects are even more complex than I imagined, but it is definitely a good thing!

Certification for professional growth

Before joining scandiweb, I didn’t have any experience working with Magento and PHP, and now I am preparing for my first Magento certificate exam! That was quite an unexpected turn in my career as a developer, but I enjoyed it so much!

“I like that all tasks that I receive are different, so that there is no routine and you always have to think thoroughly before coming up with any solutions.“

I started as a junior frontend developer, and now I am also making my first steps in the backend. Hence, my plans for the future are to become a full-stack developer one day to bring even more value to the company and my team and grow professionally.

Neverending support from the first day

In my time here, I have already experience working in two teams, so even though I have worked here for only eight months, I can indeed say that no matter in which team you are working, your teammates are always very supportive and kind, and you will feel comfortable working with them.

“Once any assistance is needed, you will always get one. All in all, it makes a very friendly and productive space to work in.”

For all newcomers, I would recommend not to hesitate to ask for help during your first days or even weeks—it will save you a lot of time in the future. 

Advice to newcomers—invest in yourself!

If you want to join scandiweb as a developer successfully, I recommend investing in your knowledge and learning PHP and MySQL—these skills will definitely help you! 

Also, if you are going to work remotely, I suggest setting your working hours for yourself. I have been working from home for eight months already, and this approach helps me not overwork and know when to start and when to stop.

Last but not least, don’t be afraid of the amount of information you will face during your first days—with time, you will sort it out, and everything will become clear.”

“If I only had three words to describe scandiweb, I would choose these: diverse, professional, and fun!”

Join us and become a new addition to our team! Go over to our Careers page and see which team fits you best!

The post #joiningscandiweb: A Chance to Learn Even From the Test Assignment appeared first on scandiweb.

We talked to three of our developers who have been with us for years—Adam from Romania, Arthur from Brazil, and Aleksandrs from Latvia—and asked them what motivates and keeps them happy at scandiweb and what they appreciate about working here.

The importance of flexibility

The chance to plan your day remotely without strict office hours and the flexibility it provides lies at the core of scandiweb’s appeal. Developers like Adam, Arthur, and Aleksandrs appreciate the freedom to balance work with other aspects of life, whether it’s pursuing education, handling personal commitments, or working from different time zones and countries. 

“scandiweb is respectful of my working schedule, considering my time zones and holidays.”

Arthur

Our colleagues also mentioned that the absence of bureaucratic barriers allows them to focus on their tasks and resolve issues efficiently. At scandiweb, everyone is available to be contacted by any colleague—no personal assistants or scheduling appointments—everyone is just a message away.

“Any issue can be resolved quickly without thousands of approvals.”

Aleksandrs

A thank you goes a long way

It’s not just about work—it’s about the people! The genuine appreciation and recognition that our developers receive from colleagues play a significant role in their happiness. A heartfelt “thank you,” like the Crowdbonus tradition where you can send a cash bonus to your scandiweb colleagues while also adding a note to say thanks or some encouragement, goes a long way in making the work environment warm and gratifying.

“Crowdbonus is great not exactly for the money, but it’s nice to receive any kind of thanks at the end of a difficult month.”

Arthur

The company’s focus on cultivating a supportive and helpful community ensures that everyone feels comfortable and valued, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and understanding.

“Everyone is helpful and kind. My colleagues are understanding, and I could talk to them about anything.”

Adam

Diverse projects mean diverse teams!

The diverse range of projects at scandiweb adds a thrilling dimension to the work of our developers. Working at an agency, they get to tackle various projects simultaneously, engaging with international clients and exploring intriguing challenges.

This diversity not only keeps the developers motivated but also enhances their skills and knowledge as they collaborate and communicate within different teams to achieve the best possible results and conquer new challenges.

“Do not worry—you will not be stuck on one project! Many will come to challenge your skills and ensure your growth. This way, your potential and your area of interest are boosted.”

Aleksandrs

With opportunities for growth, stimulating projects, and a caring community, scandiweb is happy to have created the formula to keep our developers happy and growing with us!

Care to join scandiweb and try out this formula? We have multiple vacancies available for junior, mid-, and senior-level specialists! If we caught your attention, explore our Careers page and start your IT story with us!

The post Flexibility, Appreciation, and Growth—The scandiweb Formula for a Happy Developer appeared first on scandiweb.

In this article, we want to share the story of our colleague, Gela, a web developer who started his IT journey with scandiweb. Find out how he has grown and developed his skills over time.

From hobby to career

Gela had always been fascinated by technology and programming as a hobby, but he never considered it as a potential career until he encountered a scheduling disaster at his previous job. “I saw an opportunity to apply my programming skills to solve the problem, and successfully doing so solidified my interest in programming as a potential career path,” he explained.

Although his past work experience was never directly related to programming, the skills and knowledge he gained from previous roles—being detail-oriented, problem-solving under pressure, and managing multiple tasks simultaneously—helped Gela prepare for the challenges of working in the IT field and proved to be incredibly useful working as a developer at scandiweb.

“My experience working in diverse teams and collaborating with others has helped me communicate effectively with my colleagues and work together to achieve common goals.”

Gela

Constant growth by overcoming challenges

As a member of scandiweb’s Extension Team, Gela has tackled several challenging projects that have enabled him to build his skills and gain valuable experience. Describing his most challenging task, Gela remembered PAN Emirates, his first major project outside of the Extension Team: “During the project, I faced several obstacles. Nevertheless, I overcame them by collaborating closely with my colleagues, conducting extensive research, and seeking advice and guidance from more experienced team members.”

He also noted that scandiweb had been incredibly supportive of his professional development, providing on-the-job training and mentorship from more experienced developers, including to their single source of truth. This helped Gela become familiar with eCommerce platforms and their specific requirements that once scared him. “I have also benefited from scandiweb’s culture of continuous learning and improvement, which encourages us to attend conferences, meetups, and other events to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the industry.”

“scandiweb’s corporate culture and focus on employee development makes it unique.”

Gela

From day one, Gela felt like a valued member of the team. The friendly and collaborative work environment has been a major factor in his job satisfaction and overall career path, and he appreciates the emphasis on work-life balance. “All of these factors have contributed to my positive experience at scandiweb and my desire to continue growing my career with this company,” Gela concludes.

Take the first step!

Our colleague’s advice to someone who is interested in pursuing a career in IT but doesn’t have any background in the field is to approach it logically and step-by-step. Gela is sure that with time, patience, and willingness to learn, it’s possible to demystify any confusing concepts and become proficient in IT.

“Don’t let the perceived complexity of technology intimidate you.”

Gela

We hope Gela’s experience encourages others who are interested in pursuing a career in IT to take the first step. At scandiweb, we believe that with a willingness to learn and a supportive team, anyone can achieve their goals and excel in the IT industry.

Care to join scandiweb? Don’t hesitate to visit our Careers page and find the right role for you in our team!

The post Diverse Backgrounds, Boundless Opportunities: A Career Change with scandiweb appeared first on scandiweb.

From newsletter to newbie

“My journey with scandiweb started seven months ago. I had subscribed to the scandiweb newsletter, where I learned that an SEO Bootcamp was coming up soon. Once I saw it, I thought, Why not? scandiweb is working with SEO, they have their expertise, and I can learn many useful tricks and tips! At the end of the Bootcamp, it was possible to become a scandiweb employee, so I decided to give it a try, and I still have no regrets!

I would like to mention that all of my expectations were fully justified! The Bootcamp description was written in such a friendly way it made me think that smart and professional people work here who simultaneously want to emphasize how important it is for them that their employees feel at ease. As soon as I joined scandiweb, I became even more convinced of my opinion! 

“I like how much attention is paid in the company to healthy relationships within teams, the absence of overtime and to wellbeing in general.”

Chiara

Before applying for the SEO Bootcamp, I had already found out that scandiweb is very dynamic, works with many different projects, and is constantly growing. Now I can say from my personal experience that it is definitely true.

A chance to become a strong specialist

My role as a Junior Tech SEO specialist at scandiweb involves a lot of investigating: I have to check for any issues and find and suggest the best solutions to solve and implement them, and all these responsibilities coincide entirely with what I want to do.

At the moment, I am mainly focused on becoming a strong specialist in my field. I am a junior specialist with much to learn to become a fully independent worker. Still, in the long-term perspective, I would like to become a senior specialist, perhaps manage a team, and also focus more on building strategies and ways to implement them.

Advice to newcomers – everything will make sense!

For all those who want to join scandiweb, I suggest getting ready to be overwhelmed a little during your first days. Since scandiweb is an agency, you will work on various projects that differ from one another. I would also recommend getting ready to switch from one topic to another. 

First, things might seem chaotic, but everything will make sense with time! Being proactive will also help you—don’t limit yourself with solutions based on previous experience, but try to look further and think outside the box!”

“If I had to describe scandiweb with 3 words, that would be a dynamic, ever-growing, roller-coaster (in a good way for sure)!”

Chiara

Do not hesitate to become a scandiweb newcomer too! Visit our Careers page and find the right first step for you! 

The post #joiningscandiweb: Dynamic Yet Supported Start Towards Professional Growth appeared first on scandiweb.

Together with my colleague Alise, we are scandiweb’s Virtual Community Facilitators and Event Hosts, and our work in virtual community facilitation and event hosting includes managing and guiding interactions in online communities and planning and managing virtual events. Both are important to build a sense of community and connection among an internationally distributed workforce like scandiweb. Let’s look at the main reasons online events help us achieve these goals and how!

Bridging geographic barriers

Online events can help bridge geographic barriers that might make it difficult for remote workers in different locations to feel connected. By providing a platform for remote workers to interact with one another, it is easier to build relationships and create a sense of community across borders.

Virtual events can also be planned to coincide with convenient times for employees in different time zones, ensuring that everyone can participate.

In our online events we can feel united and connected at the same time and place no matter if it’s sunrise in Brazil, midday in Latvia or sunset in India. 

Fostering cultural understanding

Working with colleagues from different cultures can be challenging, but a strong virtual community helps to foster cultural understanding. 

A fun, albeit arbitrary, example is the debate between my colleague Alise and me about eating bananas on bread or putting soy sauce on dumplings. Our cultural differences have become events where we appreciate the reasons behind our taste preferences. We include the guests of the online event in this discussion, giving them a fun topic to discuss, express their opinion, and provide a little insight into each other’s preferences.

By giving a platform for remote workers to interact with colleagues from different countries and backgrounds, it is easier to learn about other cultures and build relationships based on mutual respect, understanding, and, not least, friendly banter. 

Virtual events can showcase different cultures and traditions, promoting diversity and inclusion.

Encouraging collaboration and boosting morale

Building a strong virtual community can foster open communication and collaboration, as we have seen demonstrated lightheartedly in two of our most popular games—”AI Artist” and “Gartic Phone/Meantime podcast.” AI Artist is an engaging team-building game where participants collaborate in groups to recreate a picture generated by AI using the correct keywords. Gartic Phone/Meantime podcast is a hilarious game that combines Pictionary, Broken Telephone, and a podcast format. Both activities have promoted team connection through shared laughter, interactive conversations, collaboration, and creativity.

Through group discussions, micro-engagements, team games, and problem-solving activities, it is possible to cultivate stronger relationships and promote teamwork. This, in turn, can enhance decision-making, boost productivity, and ultimately make us all happier teammates.

Finally, you can also improve team morale and engagement through virtual community facilitation and event hosting. Remote workers can participate in virtual team-building activities, such as online games and quizzes, that help them connect and bond with colleagues. These activities can also break up the monotony of working remotely, increasing motivation and productivity.

Build a digital community with us!

scandiweb CEO Antons Sapriko spoke of creating the Online Events Team with “a goal to enhance our human relationship within our professional domain and daily communication.” Simply put, our Online Events team is here to build a community in our digital office for everyone at scandiweb. People are social creatures, and our ability to come together and support each other has allowed us to thrive throughout history. 

Let us roll with the momentum of history and have a laugh on the way, it’ll be a blast! And try putting soy sauce on your dumplings!

If you are ready to become a part of scandiweb, do not hesitate to visit our Careers page and find the role for you—we have multiple vacancies available for junior, mid, and senior-level specialists! 

The post #scandiwebstories: Creating a Virtual Community Through Online Events appeared first on scandiweb.

I like Magento. It is a very complicated CMS with complicated code. And who doesn’t like such challenges?

Arturs

Learning something new and complex can always be scary, but thanks to the community we have, you can always ask for guidance from your colleagues. Arturs says that “all people here in SW are helping each other—that is cool as well.” Whether you are a junior or a senior, communication is key—so don’t be shy, ask and open a discussion with your colleagues! Besides, two heads are better than one. 

We all have to start from somewhere. One of the great things at scandiweb is the ability to learn, grow, and pass your knowledge on to others. Arturs appreciates the experience he has had in continuously learning and growing at scandiweb and then having the chance to be a mentor to other juniors. 

Every problem can be solved in several ways.

Arturs

When asked about the things he appreciates the most at scandiweb, Arturs mentions: “Definitely the possibility of being a mentor, because whenever someone is helping some junior level developer with certain tasks, they are getting a new experience every time.” So even if you are a senior, you can always learn something new and grow alongside the new generation of developers. 

We are a team that helps each other grow. Want to learn and pass your knowledge onto others? Come join us! 

As Arturs says: “scandiweb – one love.”

Care to join scandiweb? We have multiple vacancies available for junior, mid, and senior-level specialists! If we caught your attention, explore our Careers page and start your IT story with us!

The post #scandiwebstories: Developer Challenges and Learning-Mentoring Path appeared first on scandiweb.

Some may ask, “how is it possible to go abroad so often within a work environment?” As Raivis highlights, from time to time, our colleagues get bonus trips for a job well done on a project; and sometimes, it’s a trip to meet a client. 

Since scandiweb offers fully remote working opportunities, it is possible to work from any place in the world. There are only two conditions—you need a strong internet connection, and the timezone difference cannot be higher than six hours from Latvia (where the head office is located).

Financial bonuses are important. Raivis points out that our financial bonus system, Crowdbonus, is not only about the money you share with your colleagues for a good deed, but it is also about the culture of helping others in need and how people can be kind and supportive by saying “thank you” through Crowdbonus while remembering the good deeds done.

In conclusion, why it is worth joining scandiweb? Our Senior Developer shares that it is an opportunity to work with big, global clients and contribute to solving complicated problems “that need out-of-the-box solutions and can impact many people.”

We try to keep it simple for our employees—our bureaucracy is minimal, and we keep our work environment friendly. In Raivis’ opinion, we have managed to foster a relaxing working environment because we have managed to be flexible.

Work schedule is super flexible, so I can integrate other activities I need to do in my life.

Raivis

Care to join scandiweb? We have multiple vacancies available for junior, mid, and senior-level specialists! If we caught your attention, explore our Careers page and start your IT story with us!

The post #scandiwebstories: Traveling the World with scandiweb as an Employee appeared first on scandiweb.

Remote work attracts an increasing number of people and is becoming increasingly popular. Working remotely means working from anywhere in the world, wherever there is good internet connection. It allows you to save time that is otherwise spent on the commute to and from the office, travel more freely without interrupting work, and much more.

We asked some of our employees to share their stories about working remotely and how it’s changed their lives since! scandiweb has established remote work as the main working mode, and we want to share our experience in this area.

ALEKSANDAR, Web Analytics Specialist, North Macedonia

“This is my first experience working remotely. I previously served in the army, where you’re 100% on site. I have traveled before and continue to do so, attending various events. Some time ago, with scandiweb, I had something like a team-building activity with my team in Ukraine. It was definitely great to meet the members of the team I was working with. I was also one of the lucky ones selected to attend the MeasureCamp (Digital Analytics Conference) in Stockholm. I’m so glad I went because we learned a lot from other analysts from around the world.

“My typical working day starts with getting up, of course, having a coffee, and then looking through the emails sent to me while I was away. Then I start with high-priority tasks and sort out my backlog. I have several meetings between tasks, sometimes with clients. I also help other team members, communicate with project managers, and do other work things—I think you get the gist

“The biggest plus of remote work for me is the freedom to go and do something in the city if I need to. Of course, you will have to notify your teammates that you will not be available during this time, but it’s still great that you have the flexibility to work at different times of the day. 

“Now, with all its upsides, there is one peculiarity in remote work: after a couple of months, you will start to wish you had 1-2 days of office work where you meet other people, which makes remote work not suitable for everyone. But thanks to frequent meetings with my teammates, I sometimes feel like I’m in the office, so I like it!”

ALEKSANDER, Project Manager, Estonia

“This is not my first experience with remote work. A few years ago, I worked remotely and traveled as an intern. Remote jobs make it easier to travel. For example, I’m currently in the Caucasus and staying here for two months! Previously, I spent 7 months in South America.

“My daily routine is not much different from that of office life, except for frequent coffee breaks and invitations to lunch in the office.

“But really, the only actual difference is that everything is done without leaving home, with fewer distractions as an advantage.

“In my opinion, it’s great that we have colleagues all over the world. It makes it easier to get recommendations from locals about the places you’re interested in. If you travel a lot, it really helps!

“Lack of communication? Definitely not. It’s all good, although productivity is sometimes a little higher in the office. Then again, the office has its own peculiarities that reduce productivity. So, everything is very relative :)”

RENATO, Project Manager, Brazil

“This is my first experience working remotely. I haven’t yet traveled while working, but I definitely plan to. Because this is one of the main advantages of remote work!

“I usually start working right after waking up because of my time zone. But that also means I finish work early, which is a great benefit in itself. This is in addition to the fact that I don’t have to waste time commuting to work, giving me more time for other things, like being able to help around the house when necessary.

“I think the flexibility is great. I can choose the days I’d like to be free, follow the national holidays where I am, spend more hours working one day and then work less the next, divide my working time, etc. It all depends on the project I’m working on, but overall, flexibility is a pretty big advantage.

“In my experience, lack of communication has not been an issue.  After all, I am a Project Manager, and a big part of my job is exactly communication. 

“I find many advantages to working remotely, while practically no disadvantages. At my first job, I spent 2 hours to get to work, 9 hours at work (8h + 1h break), and 2 hours to get home. Four hours that could have been spent on education, time with family, or hobbies were instead spent getting stuck on the bus.

“My quality of life has improved significantly since I started working remotely with scandiweb.”

If you are ready to become a part of it, do not hesitate to visit our Careers page and find the right role for you in our team!

The post Part 1: Sharing Our Story—Working Remotely appeared first on scandiweb.