What’s it like to be a software developer right out of college? We sat down with Adriana, a developer in our technology department, to find out!
A software developer discusses joining Paycom and finding career passion.
For someone coming right out of college, a degree in electrical engineering isn’t the typical path for a software development career at a Fortune 500 tech company. But that’s what happened to me!
I was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Oklahoma when I was young. (Fun fact: We lived just a few miles from Paycom’s headquarters!) In college, my sister and I were both proud members of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, a multicultural sorority that inspired me to take an active role in my community and pave a way for those who come after me.
There aren’t a lot of women in STEM careers, especially Hispanic women. I wanted to be a trailblazer and help people like my younger sisters see a path for women in tech.
At the start of my Paycom journey, it was clear to me that if you put your mind to it, regardless of your background, you can really accomplish anything.
Embracing a welcoming culture
I was drawn to Paycom because people in my circle talked highly about the organization. I had several competitive internships in college at other organizations. Ultimately, Paycom’s reputation as a stable and growing company won me over, and after meeting a recruiter at a job fair, I was set on starting my career here.
The transition was seamless. My recruiter helped everything go smoothly, and after several rounds of interviews, I was in! Starting in software development at Paycom’s North Texas Hub has been an incredibly positive experience. I’ve experienced support both at work and in my personal life with Paycom’s great pay and innovative benefits.
At the start, it was a difficult learning curve. Starting your first job out of college requires some grit and willingness to put in the work. My internships prepared me for the technical aspects, but getting used to a new field was still an adjustment.
I had a lot to learn. Luckily, my supervisors helped me find the resources I needed at every turn. Through both simple tasks and overall career development, I’ve had people guiding me and cheering me on.
Of course, I must plug our employee resource groups (ERGs) because they’ve been a huge support. I’m part of several, including our Hispanic ERG, HOLA, the Women’s ERG and the Multi-generations ERG, which connects employees across generations.
Participating in our Better Conversations series has helped me soak in new perspectives from across the organization. It’s a breath of fresh air to hear diverse minds and different viewpoints, especially in the workplace.
As a Hispanic woman in tech, my Paycom team and resources have been instrumental in helping me feel welcomed and immersed in the company culture. I know I’m an active contributor and valued at our organization.
Making each other better
Paycom is an incredibly dynamic company, so you get to work with the best minds in the country. This organization is all about big, innovative solutions.
As software developers in our technology department, we really focus on the core aspects of Paycom. Our team touches the entire application.
We need to be strong communicators and leave our egos at the door for the betterment of the product. Our team comes in ready to work and improve, no matter the challenge. As a lifelong learner, I relish the process of identifying challenges and crafting solutions.
Day to day, I love finding a rhythm with my daily tasks, solving problems and being part of the creation of such a valuable tool. My favorite days are spent collaborating with my team and leadership. Seeing the vision for Paycom’s future reinforces my fire for what we do here.
At the end of the day, we are all striving for success. Even though I’ve been with Paycom less than a year, it’s clear the organization offers a lifetime of opportunity.
Looking toward future goals
I’ve been able to accomplish so much in a short time, but I know I’ve barely scratched the surface of my potential at Paycom. My team lead has helped me start looking at the areas I can grow as an individual contributor and even ways I can contribute as a leader.
At Paycom, we lean into our values and contribute to a more equitable culture in and out of our organization. There are opportunities for everyone to contribute to the movement, like our employee giving program, which helps employees easily give to a nonprofit of our choice with a match from Paycom, and of course, our ERGs that connect employees and drive volunteerism.
Outside of work, I love the outdoors and even have a trail right outside my house. I’m a big traveler, which has been possible with Paycom’s generous PTO. And being near Dallas, I love to go out to eat. There’s always something new to try!
Looking to be part of innovation in a stable and growing organization? Apply to Paycom today!
