Industry Expert Interview – Exploring Career Paths and Industry Trends

Introduction

For this assignment, I interviewed Richard Madrid, a Senior Software Engineer at CONNECT by American Family. I chose to speak with Richard because I eventually replaced him in my current position when he transitioned to his new role at CONNECT. I found it valuable to learn from someone who previously held the same responsibilities and has since advanced into a senior role in a larger organization. His journey and experience offer insight into both where I am now and where I might go professionally.

Summary of Key Takeaways

Richard shared that his path into software engineering was not traditional. He graduated with a degree in Computer Engineering, which focused more on hardware, circuits, and mathematical concepts than on software development. After experiencing a personal loss, he decided to remain in the Central Valley rather than relocate, and he began his career as a Database Developer. He taught himself SQL and programming fundamentals on the side, eventually landing a software development job at American Ambulance. There, he learned C#, .NET, and application development by doing hands-on work in a fast-paced environment with a small team. The demanding pace helped him quickly gain practical experience and grow as a developer. Now, he works full-time at CONNECT, a large enterprise organization with users across the country. In this role, he has gained experience in project management and learned how to bring structure to the fast-paced and sometimes chaotic nature of software development.

In his career, one of the biggest challenges he faced was working with a large, outdated codebase with little documentation and limited access to subject matter experts. He also mentioned the difficulty of engaging in design discussions with more experienced engineers, which required building confidence and clear communication skills. These challenges helped shape his approach to problem-solving and collaboration.

When asked about industry trends, Richard noted the growing importance of cloud-based solutions and artificial intelligence, particularly large language models (LLMs). He said companies are increasingly integrating AI into their systems, and staying current with those technologies can provide an edge.

He also shared valuable career advice. He stressed the importance of time management, communication, adaptability, and work ethic. According to him, software development work moves in cycles - some periods are calm and balanced, while others are high-pressure and fast-moving. Being able to handle both situations gracefully is essential. Finally, he reminded me that success in tech means being a lifelong learner and knowing how to market both your technical and soft skills.

Reflection

Talking to Richard gave me a clearer picture of what a long-term career in software engineering can look like, especially for someone who started in a similar place. It was interesting to hear that he didn’t come from a purely software-heavy background and that his growth came largely from learning on the job and staying adaptable. His career path helped me see that progress doesn’t have to follow a straight line and that it’s okay to grow through hands-on experience and self-study.

I also appreciated his honesty about the challenges of working with legacy systems and large codebases. That’s something I’ve already started experiencing in my current role and hearing his perspective helped validate the learning curve I’m going through. His advice on confidence and speaking up in design discussions stuck with me - I need to work on that as I continue to grow professionally.

Future Steps

This conversation made me reflect on the importance of continued learning, both technically and personally. I plan to focus more on strengthening my soft skills, especially in areas like communication and self-confidence during meetings and technical discussions. I also want to start exploring AI and cloud services more seriously since those are clearly shaping the future of the industry.

Academically, I will look for opportunities to apply Richard’s advice by tackling complex coding challenges and seeking feedback from more experienced developers. Professionally, I want to keep pushing myself to take initiative on projects and continue building a strong foundation in .NET and SQL while gradually learning about new technologies like Azure and AI tools. I also plan to attend tech meetings or conferences to start expanding my network and stay up to date about industry trends.

Overall, this interview gave me practical advice, motivation, and clarity on where I go next in my career.