The Humans of smrtPhone

For our fifth installment of our highlighting our awesome team members, we profile “smrtie” Developer Liviu Megelea.

Name

Liviu Megelea

Title / Role in the Company

I’m a Full Stack Developer, but I’m the main front end developer for smrtPhone, so I spend a lot of time on the interface, including the Chrome Extension and smrtPhone dialers. I help develop new features, maintain the system, and solve technical issues reported by clients. 

How long have you worked for smrtPhone?

2.5 years. 

What’s your background? 

I have a Bachelor Degree in Information Technology, but I am really self-taught in terms of the practical skills I bring to work. I even stopped going to classes – just taking the required exams – because I was busy teaching myself programming. 

I have always been passionate about computers; always solved my problems on the computer doing my own research and coming up with answers. Before joining smrtPhone had a few internships that sparked my appetite for coding and becoming a better developer… because I really like this. I didn’t pursue this career because I heard you earn a lot of money doing it. I do it because I love it. And I do it in my free time, too. 

I have created several mobile apps. The first one was really simple – to help keep track of the score of a card game. I made a second one as part of a school assignment that I actually showed as part of my interview for smrtPhone. I’ve been working on several side projects and apps ever since. 

What was your first job? 

I worked at my aunt’s restaurant as a waiter for a few months. It was okay. I’m always calm which helps other people to stay calm. 

Developer Liviu - always calm under pressure

What do you like about working for smrtPhone? 

From a programming perspective, I really like that we use modern technology, and I get to code in a language that I like. I like that we build with leading technologies. 

But what is also cool is to think about the fact that the things we build are used by thousands of people to make their days easier. It makes me really proud to show people: I made this. I made something and I know it’s helping our clients. That’s a great feeling. 

Describe smrtPhone in 3 words: 

Efficient. Easy to use. Simple. 

Is there a particular moment/project at smrtPhone that stands out and makes you feel proud?  

We always put out our best work, so what is interesting to me is to see how that has changed over the years. Our standard of “best” is now even better. When I look back on the things I built when I first started, it highlights how much better I am now. I’ve really grown and gotten more advanced. We all have. And it makes me excited for the future and what is to come. 

What do you like to do in your free time? 

I’m always trying to better myself, trying to read books or build personal projects and then use the knowledge I gain from that and translate it into my work with smrtPhone. During the week, I’m focused on programming and work. When I’m not working on smrtPhone, I am building my own personal projects and apps. 

On the weekends, I like going to the mountains, especially in summer. I like mountain biking, camping or just hiking. My favorite thing to do in the summer is to go to a cabin in the woods with my friends. If I can’t make it up to the mountains, I like to take relaxing drives – just to look around, see nature, and enjoy. 

Liviu loves mountain biking

Name something that is on your “bucket list”

Something I really want to do this year is go to a country outside of the E.U. for a month or two and live there. Just to live and work and really immerse myself. I’m hoping to go somewhere in Asia. 

What is a fun fact people might not know about you? 

Liviu best hacker impression

Sometimes I fantasize about being a hacker or pen tester
[penetration testing, also known as simulated cyberattack].
I’m really interested in security and ethical hacking to improve systems.