What's your job about?

I work as a software engineer at Leidos, which builds and maintains digital systems used by customers to solve real-world problems. My area of responsibility is designing, building, and improving software features that are reliable, secure, and easy for people to use.

On a day-to-day basis, my job involves turning ideas and requirements into working software. A typical day might start with a team catch-up to discuss priorities and progress, followed by selecting tasks from our shared work board and planning how to approach them. I write code, test it and review other engineers’ work to make sure everything meets quality standards and follows best practices.

I also take part in meetings with customers and stakeholders to understand their needs, discuss progress, and help shape timelines and solutions. This means translating non-technical ideas into technical tasks, and explaining technical concepts in a clear, simple way. Over the course of a week or project, I might work on new features, improve existing functionality, fix bugs or help refine how our systems are designed.

Beyond coding, collaboration is a big part of my role. We regularly share knowledge, learn from each other, and occasionally come together socially to build strong team connections. In simple terms, my job is about problem-solving, teamwork, and building things that make technology work better for people.

What's your background?

I was born and raised in Melbourne. I graduated high school in 2015 and went on to study a Bachelor of Pharmacy at Monash University, completing my degree in 2019. During my studies, I worked as a student pharmacist, which allowed me to gain early, hands-on experience in healthcare while applying what I was learning in real-world settings.

In 2020, I began my professional career as an intern pharmacist at Monash Health and later that year became a registered pharmacist. I worked across all Monash Health hospitals as a ward pharmacist, rotating through a wide range of specialties including COVID-19 wards during the pandemic, oncology and chemotherapy, neurology, general medicine, and surgery. Throughout this time, I experienced countless crazy moments and built many memorable experiences working closely alongside multidisciplinary medical teams. The environment was incredibly fast-paced and often volatile, but that intensity was also what made the work exciting. It demanded constant problem-solving, adaptability, and clear communication, particularly in high-pressure situations where decisions truly mattered.

In 2022, I decided to pursue a different career pathway and began working towards becoming a software engineer, while continuing to work as a pharmacist until the end of 2024. I had always had a strong interest in technology and realised that I genuinely enjoyed solving complex problems and building practical solutions. While I loved helping people through healthcare, the idea of helping people through scalable technology solutions felt equally meaningful and deeply motivating.

While working full-time as a pharmacist, I completed a Master of Computer Science specialising in Software Engineering. Balancing full-time work and postgraduate study was one of the most challenging periods of my life, but it ultimately strengthened my resilience and work ethic. Toward the end of my degree, I applied for graduate programs and was fortunate to secure a graduate software engineer role in 2025. I successfully completed my graduate year and was promoted to software engineer toward the end of 2025, a role I continue in today.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes! A software engineering career is absolutely possible with a different background. I am a good example of this myself, having transitioned from healthcare into technology. What matters most is not where you start, but your willingness to learn, adapt, and consistently build your skills.

Key characteristics for this role include strong problem-solving ability, curiosity, resilience, and the discipline to keep learning as technology evolves. Good communication skills are equally important, as the role involves working closely with teammates and stakeholders with different technical backgrounds. Being comfortable with ambiguity, open to feedback, and able to break down complex problems into manageable steps are essential traits for success in this job.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The coolest part of my job is tackling complex problems and watching them turn into clear, working solutions. I especially enjoy picking up challenging tickets that push me to learn, knowing I have a strong support system around me to ask questions, get feedback, and improve quickly. Moments that confirm I’m in the right role are when a difficult piece of work finally clicks, or when feedback highlights how my solution helped the wider team or customer.

Beyond the work itself, we regularly share knowledge through internal “tech talks” over pizza and celebrate milestones with team events, which reinforces a culture of learning, growth, and collaboration.

What are the limitations of your job?

One limitation of my role is the mental challenge that comes with solving complex problems. Imposter syndrome is very real in software engineering, especially when working on unfamiliar or technically difficult tasks. There are times when solutions are not obvious, progress feels slow, or you reach temporary dead ends, which can be mentally draining. The role also requires sustained focus and comfort with ambiguity rather than immediate answers.

That said, these challenges come with the job and are balanced by strong team support and learning opportunities. Over time, working through these moments builds confidence, resilience, and stronger problem-solving skills.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. You are not locked into one path. Don’t feel like choosing a degree or career means you’re stuck there forever. People change, pivot, and grow. With determination and persistence, you can always create a new direction, everything will be okay.
2. No experience is wasted. Even if something doesn’t resonate long-term, it still shapes you. Every experience builds skills, perspective, and resilience that will guide better decisions in the future.
3. Back yourself more. You are more capable than you think. Don’t let self-doubt stop you from trying. Growth often starts before you feel ready.