Bao (she/her), Supervisor of Software Development at Paycom, received a master’s degree in computer science from Tulsa University.
While pursuing her degree, she found that the Paycom recruiters were friendly, informative and professional, leading her to apply for the position. Bao now has six years of experience at Paycom, but she still remembers why she was drawn to it in the first place: the culture and the value of our software.
Today, Bao works on our Software Development team, helping to cultivate a collaborative and inclusive culture that fosters positivity and productivity. She supports her team’s work on new development projects and maintenance work on Paycom tools, ensuring the best for our clients.
Bao has experienced various personal and professional growth opportunities at Paycom. Most importantly, her time at Paycom has led to a rapid transition from early careers to leadership.
We caught up with Bao to understand more about what being a software developer at Paycom looks like.
What does a day in the life of a software development supervisor look like?
As a Software Development Supervisor, the most accurate way to describe my job is that I maintain business continuity. In terms of projects, my primary responsibility is to review and schedule new projects, ensure current projects meet target dates and deal with any critical issues that come up.
A day as a Paycom software developer always starts with a short meeting with the team. We all discuss our agendas for the day, ask questions and/or seek assistance. After that, 90% of the day will go to a mix of new development work and maintenance work. There may be an occasional project check-in meeting, team meeting or one-on-one with your team lead or supervisor.
What classes or experience prepared you for this role?
The most important skill set of a software developer is writing clean and performant code accompanied by unit tests. In my opinion, Data Structure and Algorithm was one of the most important classes I took in graduate school.
What is something you wish you would have learned before getting to Paycom that would’ve better prepared you?
Looking back, learning how to use a version control system would have allowed more time for me to learn our system and the code base.
How does Paycom help you achieve your goals? Are there any personal or professional goals you’ve met or are hoping to achieve soon?
My journey with Paycom started out as a developer, then team lead and now supervisor. Since I’ve been with Paycom, I’ve had the autonomy to work and develop projects, giving me the opportunity to pursue the next step in my career.
I’ve gained technical skills as a developer and skills to manage projects and people. Moving forward, I hope to continue growing my skills as a leader.
What is your favorite #PaycomPerk?
Our gym is great! I love that we have trained professionals on campus to teach various classes from yoga to bootcamp every day.
What do you enjoy most about working in Paycom’s Technology department?
My favorite part is the people. We are an intelligent, innovative and funny group. It’s great to be in an otherwise “very business” meeting laughing and making jokes while still being productive.
What advice do you have for someone going into this role?
Go in with an open mind. Be curious, ask challenging questions and offer positive contributions to your team.
When you’re supported by your team and company, career growth is a reality. Bao is a testament to how hard work paired with a supportive culture can lead to an extraordinary career in tech.
Interested in seeing how far a Paycom career can take you? Learn more about careers and internships in Software Development at Paycom.
