Technology has become a vital part of our lives, but we often don’t know much about how the technology we use was actually created. Cartoons and TV shows will often depict dark rooms with faces illuminated by only the glow of a computer screen as someone is hastily coding and chugging a caffeinated beverage. Emily Vukman, MediSked Engineering Supervisor, sheds light on what this discipline looks like and how different features are brought to life.
Question: How long have you been at MediSked?
Emily: Coming up on 3 years this March.
Question: What is the main focus of your work?
Emily: My official title is “SDE2”, software engineer developer level 2. I act as the lead for MediSked Connect Exchange – Multi-Agency Business Intelligence Platform. In my position, I do development work but I also work with MediSked’s Product Strategy & Design team to define requirements for tickets, which is the first step in the process for how new features are created, and identify the time estimates for those tickets.
Question: What are you most proud of developing?
Emily: I like making things that help other people make things. I would say the metadata builder in MediSked Connect Exchange. Connect Exchange has reporting tools that require data sets to draw up reports. The metadata builder makes life easier for our clients because it allows them to enter Connect Exchange and create data sets based on the tables in the database to draw information, so they can identify and analyze population or sub-population data.
Question: What does a typical day look like for you?
Emily: So, let’s start at the beginning – each morning there is a developer meeting for us to sync about priorities. Then I generally work on development work or assist other developers with questions. I’ll work on writing ticket specifications and descriptions for features or attend meetings for identifying the best way to approach specific development efforts. Toward the end of every day there is another meeting with key stakeholders to discuss the status of what’s being worked on, identify blockers, and potentially solutioning. I often get in the zone with my work and look up to see the work day has long ended.
Question: Is there anything interesting on the roadmap that you’re excited for in 2018?
Emily: I enjoy my work because every day I get to make things that help our clients improve the lives of the individuals they support. One of the major purposes of MediSked Connect Exchange is to aggregate data so clients can identify trends to see what is working and what isn’t, so they can make the appropriate interventions to improve and provide quality care.
Question: What do you like most about working for MediSked?
Emily: I like the people here, we are a team in everything we do. MediSked has an atmosphere of working together with a large emphasis on being positive and supporting each other as we all work to support our clients. I also like that people are excited and so hardworking.
Question: What is your favorite thing to do outside of the office?
Emily: When I’m not working I like to spend my time playing with my cat, Zephyr (aka meow meow beans), and collecting animated films.
