Discovering a Passion for Programming
For Diana Serban, 22, the path to development wasn’t obvious at first. “I always knew I wanted a career,” she says. “At first I thought about medicine or law, but after some advice from my parents, I chose a high school focused on math and informatics.”
That decision opened the door to programming. “During those years, I discovered computer science and that’s when I decided to pursue a career in development.”
Her story reflects a common theme among young developers: curiosity paired with opportunity. For Diana, that opportunity came through an internship at Wayfare that changed everything.
Starting Out: Internships Make the Difference
Internships often serve as the bridge between theory and practice, and Diana’s experience proves why they matter. “In my second year of university, I applied to multiple internships and got accepted at Wayfare,” she recalls. “After two months, they offered me a job and I’ve been here ever since.”
She emphasizes how critical that hands-on exposure was:
“In university you learn a lot about technologies or different programming languages, but they don’t teach you how real teamwork works. At Wayfare, I saw how projects are built, how apps go to production—and it was the first time I learned about Progress OpenEdge. That was important for starting my career with this technology.”
Internships didn’t just teach her technical skills; they gave her confidence. “Seeing how things work in a real company made me feel prepared for the next step.”
A Day in the Life of a Junior Developer
Diana’s first year as a developer was anything but routine. “I worked on internal projects and even AI for PUG Challenge presentations,” she says. “It was very different from what I expected.”
One surprise? Daily standups. “I didn’t know these existed,” she admits. “It’s great to share opinions and concerns. As a junior, having colleagues who answer questions and help me learn makes a huge difference.”
Her day typically involves tackling tasks, asking questions, and collaborating with teammates. “I try to do my best with what I have to do, learn new things at the same time, and work with others to deliver something for the client.”
Three Things Diana Loves About OpenEdge
- “It’s easy to learn if you know other languages.”
- “Managing large volumes of data is simple.”
- “You can integrate it with new tech—like AI—which is exciting.”
These features make OpenEdge not only approachable for beginners but also powerful for modern applications.
Advice for New Developers
Her biggest tip? “Have courage to ask questions. It’s OK not to know. Research, ask, learn; that’s how you grow.”
This mindset—curiosity and humility—is what helped Diana thrive in her first year.
PUG Challenge: Presenting and Connecting
Few developers present at a major industry event in their first year, but Diana did, three times. Last November, she delivered three sessions at the PUG Challenge in Valencia, Spain.
Despite the nerves, the experience was rewarding. “People were curious and asked great questions. It felt amazing to see my work pay off. I was nervous being the youngest in the room, but everyone was supportive. It’s something I’d love to do again.”
For Diana, PUG Challenge wasn’t just about sharing knowledge. It was about joining a community. “It was really nice to meet so many people interested in this field and talk about common topics.”
Final Thoughts
Diana’s story is about courage—courage to try something new, to ask questions, and to keep learning. Her advice to the next generation?
“Don’t be afraid to ask. That’s how you grow.”
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Jessica (Malakian) Newton
Jessica (Malakian) Newton is a Senior Product Marketing Specialist at Progress, focused on the Progress OpenEdge product. Jessica started her career at Progress as an intern in 2020 and has since developed into a full-time marketer, dedicated to guiding customers on how to maximize the value of their OpenEdge solutions. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys reading and writing.