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T.J., Integration Developer at Salad and Go: Advize Career Interview

A non-traditional student, juggling a 30-hour work week with an information science and technology degree, secured a data science internship at an agricultural research company, gaining invaluable real-world programming experience.

This led to a role as an Integration Developer at Salad and Go, where responsibilities include monitoring data pipelines, resolving integration issues, planning new integrations, and collaborating with a small team.

The fast-paced environment demands proficiency in SQL and Python, flexibility, and strong interpersonal skills. The most rewarding aspects include the variety of technologies, the constant challenges, and contributing to the community.

However, the demanding nature of the role, requiring constant learning and immediate problem-solving, is a crucial aspect to understand beforehand.

Entry-level analyst positions are recommended as a strong foundation, emphasizing hands-on experience with SQL and collaborative learning.

A key lesson learned is the importance of slowing down to fully understand a problem before tackling it.

The interviewee's journey highlights the value of internships, collaborative work, and a willingness to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies in the food and beverage industry.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

T.J. Lippincott

Integration Developer

Salad and Go

University of Arizona, 2020

N/A

Business Management & Admin

Food, Beverages & Alcohol

Data and Analytics

Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path Of An Integration Developer At Salad And Go

T.J., a non-traditional student who worked 30 hours a week while pursuing an information science and technology degree, gained valuable real-world experience through a data science internship at Cybers, an agricultural research company. This internship, "giv[ing] real world programming experience," proved invaluable, differentiating their skillset from others by providing hands-on experience with data and programming impacting a company's bottom line.

Main Responsibilities of an Integration Developer at Salad and Go

T.J., a Salad and Go Integration Developer, focuses on "monitoring existing integrations" and resolving issues like "invalid data types," while also exploring and planning new integrations with various systems, requiring "lots of testing and minor code changes." This role highlights the dynamic nature of integration development, demanding both reactive problem-solving and proactive planning.

A Day in the Life of an Integration Developer at Salad and Go

T.J., a Salad and Go Integration Developer, begins each day by checking "data pipelines" for overnight failures, immediately addressing any issues. The remainder of the day involves daily standups to coordinate work with their small team of three, addressing urgent issues as they arise, and working towards a Thursday release schedule.

Most Important Skills for an Integration Developer at Salad and Go

For an integration developer role in the food and beverage industry, interpersonal skills are crucial, alongside programming expertise in SQL and Python—with additional skills in other languages like C# depending on the specific team. The ability to "pivot on a dime" and demonstrate flexibility, including weekend availability, is also highly valued.

Favorite Parts Of Being An Integration Developer At Salad And Go

T.J., an Integration Developer at Salad and Go, most enjoys the variety of technologies used in the fast-paced restaurant industry, citing the ability to "mess around with different technologies" and integrate them into the system as "pretty exciting stuff," such as exploring Amazon Alexa integration for store communication. The constant challenge and "curve ball" of a new problem each day, coupled with the satisfaction of completing a project and seeing it work, are also key aspects of the role that T.J. appreciates.

Biggest Challenges Faced by an Integration Developer at Salad and Go

T.J.'s biggest challenge as an Integration Developer is keeping pace with "new technologies coming out every day," requiring constant learning of various technologies and their interactions, including navigating "different API authorizations." This rapid technological evolution presents a demanding yet fulfilling aspect of the role.

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Quick-Service Restaurant Industry As An Integration Developer

T.J., an Integration Developer, finds the most rewarding aspect of the food and beverage industry is "being able to give back to the community," combined with the "creativity" required to adapt "non-standard technologies" for efficient internal processes within the quick-service restaurant sector.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Food Service Industry, According To An Integration Developer At Salad And Go

The integration developer at Salad and Go highlighted that success in the industry demands a willingness to "take risks" and demonstrates "relentless" dedication, alongside strong interpersonal skills and consistent work ethic—"first ones in, last ones out"—across diverse backgrounds. This combination of risk-taking, perseverance, and collaboration are key to thriving.

What an Integration Developer at Salad and Go Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Information Technology Industry

T.J., an Integration Developer, reflects that the constant demand and need for immediate problem-solving ("it never slows down," "you're kind of the go-to point of contact for when things break down") is a key aspect of the role that would have been helpful to know beforehand. Successfully navigating this requires strong time management, prioritization skills, and the ability to effectively handle concurrent issues.

Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Analysts at Salad and Go

T.J., an Integration Developer, recommends entry-level analyst positions—"supply chain analyst, an IT analyst"—as a great starting point for undergraduates, emphasizing hands-on experience with SQL and data. This "grunt work," as T.J. calls it, provides valuable learning and collaboration opportunities, ultimately leading to career success.

Significant Career Lesson From an Integration Developer at Salad and Go

The most significant lesson learned by T.J., an Integration Developer, is to "slow down, dissect the problem, draw down," approaching challenges holistically before delving into specifics. This approach, while sometimes difficult with numerous projects, ensures that tasks are completed correctly, reflecting a commitment to quality over speed.

College Experiences That Helped An Integration Developer At Salad And Go Succeed

To prepare for a career as an Integration Developer, T.J. emphasizes the importance of collaboration, stating, "it's incredible how much you can learn from working with a team," and learning diverse problem-solving approaches. Securing a relevant internship is also crucial for "hitting the ground running" and providing immediate results in the chosen field.

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