Get to Know DRP Web Developer
Meet Samantha Ortega
What was your first job? What skills from that job do you use today?
My first job was at a sporting goods store which was actually pretty terrible. However, my previous job helped me develop most of the skills I use today. It was the first position I held after changing careers and it taught me a lot about the technology and the inner workings of websites. Understanding how elements move and respond to each other was invaluable and is definitely one of the skills I rely heavily upon.
What do you most enjoy about your job?
I love the learning. Having the ability to take time to learn about my job and improve my skills allows me to make more sense of my tasks and do them more efficiently (who wants to do things over again and again right?). My favorite thing is when I get this type of tunnel vision and get lost in the code trying to match one thing up to another – it’s like trying to read a very convoluted story. This does inevitably lead to one-sided conversations with my computer. We have a love/hate relationship at times.
Tell us about someone who has inspired you or helped you along the way? How has that person impacted your work today?
My father told me something many years ago that has stuck with me ever since. While the original context had nothing to do with work, it can easily be applied and is something I always keep in the back of my mind whenever I run into a roadblock.
What is something you wish you’d known before entering your line of work?
I came into this field as someone with absolutely zero experience relatively recently. Before I started really getting into the work, I wish I had had the opportunity to work with a mentor. They could have coached me through hands-on training, given me tips and tricks to make tasks easier as well as answer all my questions. We could have worked side by side, and the ability to watch them do certain things would have made me a lot more confident when it came time for me to do them on my own.
Why is this role perfect for you?
Aside from the fact that I get to work from home lol? It is perfect because it allows me not only to experiment, but it also gives me a chance to focus on the details. I don’t feel like I need to turn out project after project just to get them done, I can take my time and do things to my own standard. This role allows me the freedom to figure things out and to learn and grow while honing the skills I already have. This role promises much more in the future.
