The real meaning of work – is it all about the moolah?
Can an IT consultant find meaning in their work, or does it all boil down to how much you earn? Rakettitiede software developers Viktoriia Kuznietsova, Joonas Muhonen, and Andrey Starodubtsev believe that while both do matter, you can’t make a meaningless job palatable even with a bigger paycheck.
Meaningful work – you’ve probably heard the expression more than once. When it comes to the demanding work of an IT consultant, meaningfulness truly is, well, a very meaningful part of the job.
Succeeding and learning new things in software development – smart, stylish, and financially sound solutions
For work to have meaning, it must offer enough of a challenge.
“Above all, Rakettitiede has enabled me to become a better developer.” According to Joonas, the cornerstone of any interesting and meaningful job is a good work-life balance.
“My work becomes extra meaningful when I’m allowed to create solutions that are good, technologically stylish, and sensible, at least to my eye. And they should be cost-effective from the client’s perspective as well,” says full stack developer Joonas Muhonen, Rocket Scientist #6, who has been a Rocket Scientist for nearly 10 years.
Focusing on technologically stylish solutions also helps seasoned consultants develop themselves. Rakettitiede’s uncompromising focus on quality and the highest standards have ensured that its selection of assignments has something for every developer who longs for a challenge and the opportunity to learn.
“What sets Rakettitiede apart from other consultancies is its emphasis on truly top-quality solutions with that little extra something – instead of delivering just what the client ordered,” says full stack developer Viktoriia Kuznietsova, Rocket Scientist #54. “It’s a chance to challenge myself and find the best opportunities for growing as a programmer.”
A challenge doesn’t need to seem insurmountable to feel meaningful. Embedded systems developer Andrey Starodubtsev, a.k.a. Rocket Scientist #60, believes that even the smallest details can add a little more meaning and spice to life.
“For example, I might notice that a device is functioning perfectly well, but that I could make it work even better with just a little extra effort. Having the freedom to make comprehensively better solutions is a very meaningful part of the job,” he says.
Focusing on quality benefits both senior-level devs and clients: the developer gets better at what they do, while the client receives a well-made solution that does what it’s supposed to – and then some.
Finding meaning at every step of the product development process
According to Viktoriia, what sets Rakettitiede apart is its emphasis on truly top-quality solutions with that little extra something, instead of delivering just what the client ordered: “It’s a chance to challenge myself and find the best opportunities for growing as a programmer.”
As the old saying on the Rocket Ship goes, the end user is always right – if they can’t use a product or feel short-changed by it, they’re not going to adopt it. That’s why the meaning of a solution – its real-deal purpose – is an important part of the work done at Rakettitiede.
Viktoriia is currently working on a suite of customer service tools, while Andrey is developing software for medical devices as part of a product development team. Their products will be used to help people perform and feel better.
“I get to meet my products’ ends users and witness how my handiwork has made a difference in their lives. I can clearly see how my hard effort has helped them do less manual work and make fewer errors,” Viktoriia says.
Andrey, on the other hand, finds meaning at the different steps of the product development process: “When you’re involved to this level, you can focus more intently on the meaning of the work itself. The things I’m doing now will be used to help people, which is a pretty great feeling.”
Long-term gigs that align with your personal values
“At Rakettitiede, I have a say in what assignments I want to take on,” Joonas says. “If I feel that a client’s values don’t align with my own, no one will force me to do anything.”
When a consultant’s personal values and professional interests align with their client’s assignment, it helps make the work feel that much more meaningful.
This is a top priority in Rakettitiede’s assignments, which are typically long-term product development projects.
As an example, Joonas has worked for the same client since 2016: “They have a great team that has welcomed me with open arms. But if I wanted to change things up, I can simply move to another project without having to leave Rakettitiede and start all over.”
According to Andrey, his work as a consultant has allowed him to enjoy and find meaning in every aspect of the project and product development process: “In the last year, I’ve been able to immerse myself in my current client’s world, which is very exciting.”
On the other hand, aligning one’s values can also mean arranging one’s work and schedules in a way that supports their professional aspirations.
According to Andrey, an IT consultant gets to enjoy the best aspects of both the project and product development process: “In the last year, I’ve been able to immerse myself in my current client’s world, which is very exciting. At the same time, I know that if I want a change or a new challenge, all I have to do is say so and Rakettitiede’s sales team will help me find my next assignment.”
Striking a balance between your career and personal life
“For me, it all boils down to having a good work-life balance so that your work can feel interesting and meaningful,” Joonas says.
Everyone typically has other important aspects to their life, such as a family or a favourite hobby, that also deserve their time and effort.
“Rakettitiede has been super supportive when it comes to arranging my working hours with my family’s needs,” Viktoriia says. “It’s one of those aspects that’s crucial to a consultant’s entire well-being.”
This also includes Rakettitiede’s salary model, which allows the company’s consultants to decide how much pay they receive each month. “It’s a flexible model that has made it easier for me to take some time off or work fewer hours whenever something else requires my undivided attention,” Joonas says.
So, in conclusion, a good paycheck is still a vital part of the job. However, in the grand scheme of things, an IT consultant’s understanding of what is truly meaningful is also closely linked to their everyday life, which they should be able to arrange how they see fit, without having to compromise their values.
“Above all, Rakettitiede has enabled me to become a better developer,” Joonas sums up.
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