As the technology industry continues to evolve, software engineers are often faced with myriad challenges, from the need to constantly adapt to new technologies to advocating for a healthy work-life balance. However, for Anabel Mejias, her professional journey from intern to associate software engineer at UKG has been filled with balance, growth, and authenticity.
Welcome to Miami
Anabel began her professional career in UKG’s Intern Academy in November 2021, working as an intern on the compliance team, where she was in charge of updating the yearly W-4 forms. While she was thrilled to land a fully paid, competitive internship in the tech industry, her journey to success came with its own set of challenges. Anabel had immigrated from Cuba to Florida five years earlier and had faced the daunting task of immersing herself in the English language and adapting to a new environment and culture.
Reflecting on her experience, Anabel remembered: “It was hard; not only the language change, but all my friends and family were in Cuba. In that situation, you really have to start over. You need to be focused and you have to know what you really want, because it’s easy to get lost.”
Despite these challenges, Anabel’s determination and focus paid off. She graduated from Florida International University with a degree in computer engineering, which prepared her to choose between a hardware or software career. She started searching for jobs at software companies and preparing for interviews, and some friends recommended she consider UKG because of the work culture. UKG is a leading provider of HR, payroll, and workforce management solutions, with its co-headquarters in nearby Weston.
After several interviews – both technical and non-technical – she received an offer as an intern. During her time on the compliance team, she honed her skills alongside a team of software engineers. She has since transitioned to the performance review team, which provides technology to help employers evaluate, grow, and develop their employees, where she continues to thrive in her role as an associate software engineer.
Exploring new opportunities
When asked what made her decide to accept an offer for a full-time role at UKG after her internship, Anabel explained, “When I first started my internship, I was kind of scared because it was my first job as a professional in the field. As soon as I started at UKG, I was amazed by their culture. The people were amazing, and I loved what I was doing. I realized the potential for growth as a software engineer and saw an amazing opportunity.”
Anabel’s positive experience at UKG not only helped her overcome her initial fear of starting her professional career, but also inspired her to pursue a long-term career in software engineering. She continued, “Seeing all the role models here at UKG made me realize that was what I wanted to do long term.”
As someone who works on a customer-facing product that impacts millions of people around the world, Anabel knows she plays a crucial role in the company’s success. “Every little detail – every little or big thing – I know it’s going toward perfecting the product. It’s going to make it better. So it’s an honor to work on these solutions,” she shared.
When asked about the most innovative project she has worked on, she mentioned a new feature that they are investigating in their performance review upload process. Although she could not disclose more details about the project, Anabel expressed appreciation for UKG’s commitment to innovation.
Unlocking potential
Anabel’s day as a software engineer begins as she works on programming tickets or tasks that require investigation. If she gets stuck, she can easily seek help from her coworkers. Anabel takes advantage of the learning opportunities offered to her, such as courses on Pluralsight, working with cutting-edge technologies like non-relational databases and the latest of ASP.NET, and support and training from her colleagues.
“To me, especially because I’m new in this job, I’m learning something new every day. So it’s that sensation that you’re learning while doing something challenging. You’re perfecting yourself with this amazing group of people who are helping you out,” she said.
Anabel credits her role models and managers for helping guide her in her career. “My managers are always asking, ‘Where are you wanting to go? How can we help you in your career?,’” she shared.
Striking a balance
Anabel has found a balance that enables her to prioritize her family while still excelling at her work. “I just recently had a baby and she’s 7 months old. As I’m working, I’m focused, but I know that I can take breaks occasionally to hold or play with my baby, and I can take time out of my day to take her to her doctor’s appointments,” she explained.
For others looking to get their foot in the door at UKG, Anabel emphasized the importance of demonstrating one’s personality during an interview. According to her, in addition to showcasing technical skills and knowledge, job candidates should also aim to display their personality traits, such as being easy-going or introverted. Anabel believes that showing personality during an interview can provide insight into how a candidate might fit into the company culture and work well with others.
Are you interested in joining UKG? They have open positions! To learn more, click here.
