Team Talk: Balancing code and mentorship with David Letonja

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In this Team Talk, we’re diving into the world of software engineering and mentorship with David Letonja. David, our Software Engineer, shares his experiences working on complex projects, including the rewarding process of guiding new team members. Join us as he reflects on balancing hands-on development with mentorship, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Can you share the types of projects you’ve been working on at Comtrade Gaming and what aspects you find most exciting?
Since joining the company, the projects I’ve worked on have been productive, engaging, and above all, educational. Starting in smaller development teams, I was amazed by the vast codebase and initially thought, “How do people manage this?” After a year and a half, that daunting thought is gone.
 
One of the most educational projects was the migration from .NET4 to .NET6, where my team and I explored every aspect of the iCore codebase. It was challenging and rewarding, as we couldn’t afford to disrupt the code other developers relied on. Completing the project equipped us with valuable domain knowledge for future tasks.
 
Currently, I’m working on a project where we’re implementing some kind of a state machine. It involves extensive use of multithreading and multiprocessing to optimize performance and handle parallel tasks efficiently. I’m also working as the lead software engineer on this project. Building it from the ground up without an existing codebase has been thrilling. I enjoy tackling problems that don’t yet have solutions and developing approaches that benefit the whole team.

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You’re currently balancing your work as a developer by mentoring new employees. How has this combination of roles impacted your daily work?
When I joined the company, what blew my mind was that I had three people I could easily turn to if I had any questions or problems. This seamless onboarding inspired me to become a mentor, seeing how rewarding it is for newcomers. I’m often called “a people person” because I’m always ready to help, even outside work.

The most gratifying part of mentoring is seeing newcomers gain domain and programming knowledge and become independent contributors. Each mentoring experience teaches me something new and refines my approach. This has motivated me to participate in our internal Smart Talks workshops, where employees and guest speakers share knowledge and insights with each other.

As a mentor, I typically divide my time 80/20 - spending 80% on project work and 20% on mentorship. So yes, it has impacted my daily workflow.

How do you manage the transition between hands-on development and guiding new team members?
Switching between development and mentoring isn’t an issue for me. Sometimes stepping away from a complex problem to assist someone else provides a fresh perspective. If the question is straightforward, I guide them in the right direction and review their work later. For more complex problems, we tackle them together, which benefits both parties - I stay updated on codebase changes, and they learn through hands-on experience.

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What’s one lesson you’ve learned from mentoring that has shaped the way you work with your team?
Mentoring has shown me that it’s a stepping stone toward leadership. The knowledge gained from mentoring - both domain and communication skills - can be applied to current and future projects. It helps in finding solutions faster and leading the team with more confidence. Starting with a dynamic two-person mentorship makes it easier to transition leading larger teams. If you want to become a leader, start as a mentor.

Looking ahead, what are your goals at Comtrade Gaming, both in development and beyond?
My goal is to become a software architect. I love building solutions from scratch and exploring uncharted areas. Achieving this requires skill, patience, time, and, most importantly, knowledge. My mission is to deepen my expertise in .NET so that technical challenges become manageable.

Conversations with leads, seniors, and architects are invaluable for growth. For new developers, I highly recommend engaging with peers - you’d be surprised at what you can learn from simple interactions.

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As David continues his journey at Comtrade Gaming, he’s driven by a goal to grow into a software architect. His passion for building solutions from the ground up, along with his commitment to mentoring, showcases the value he brings to the team. We’re excited to see how David’s dual focus on development and knowledge-sharing shapes his future and the future of our company.