Inspiring Grads: Science 2

Matthew Dickie

Job history

2022 Technical Analyst Jembi Health Systems

2021 Developer/Analyst Jembi Health Systems

2019–2020 Mid-level Developer Jembi Health Systems

2017–2018 Junior Developer Jembi Health Systems

Academic history

2016 BMedSci Honours in Bioinformatics University of Cape Town

2013–2015 BSc in Biochemistry and Genetics University of Cape Town

Describe your job – what do you do?

My job title is very vague due to the scope of my work. Primarily, I develop software. I lead a team of software engineers developing health data exchange software for national systems. Being a senior developer in a small company means you’re a jack of all trades. My day consists of writing code, architecting software designs, fixing bugs, writing tests, and reviewing my colleagues' code.

I’m also a line manager for two developers and a fair amount of my time goes towards coaching them (pair programming) and making sure they are growing in their careers. When needed I am also part of the recruiting team. I interview candidates, build a rapport, test their skills, and if I’m happy with them pass them on to management. A smaller part of my job is data and business analysis. This involves liaising with clients and partners to get their requirements.

What pulled you towards becoming a developer?

Honestly, job security. I became disabled in my third year at UCT and I knew that I would need a reliable well paying job to support my needs. At the same time, I did not want to be a developer in any field.

My undergrad was in Biochemistry and Genetics, my honours in Bioinformatics, I have a passion for science and helping people so I was incredibly lucky that my first job was at a non-profit public health company. If I’d gone into fin-tech, I probably wouldn’t have excelled the way I did at Jembi.

How do your degrees help you in your current role?

My degrees did not prepare me well for the development side of my job. I took CompSci as an elective in first year and the knowledge I gained there has helped a bit. My Bioinformatics also helped a little as it forced me to practice my coding. Unfortunately, none of my courses taught me how to code well or the value of neatness and consistency within a project.

But overall, my science degrees did teach me excellent general analysis skills that transfer over into software development and data analysis.

What has been a highlight of your career so far?

The highlight of my career has been taking on the responsibility of being a line manager. I’ve had two excellent managers in my career and two rather less than.

A great manager makes you fly through your career trajectory. They will challenge you constantly, give little bits of feedback on your performance every day, but they will also have your back. A less than manager will stifle you.

I try to emulate the good characteristics of my past managers when interacting with juniors, and seeing them succeed has been worth all the effort.

What advice would you give to current students?

Have hobbies. Don’t be a start up tech bro. Maintaining a healthy balance with your work is essential for your long term flourishing.

After work you need to have time to switch off, play sports, learn an instrument or a language – preferably all of the above. Starting these hobbies in university looks great on your resume. If your CV says you play a team sport, my feeling would be that you can probably handle conflict and pressure. If your CV says you play an instrument, my feeling would be that you are persevering and creative. If you are part of a club/society committee, I would hope you have time management, communication and leadership skills.

Never lie about any of your hobbies or skills on your resume – when you’re caught, any rapport you’ve built is lost.

What is the next thing you want to achieve or learn?

I will be starting my Masters later this year in Health Technology Innovation. Working in health tech is incredibly rewarding for me and studying a different aspect of the field (engineering) is exciting.

Recommendations

- Join Toastmasters! I’m president of the Cape Town Toastmasters club, and it has improved my confidence hugely. It h helps you through every difficult conversation in your career (salary negotiation, work demos, work failures, networking, difficult managers, etc).

- For wannabe developers, read “Clean Code” by Robert Cecil Martin. For experienced developers, re-read “Clean Code” by Robert Cecil Martin.

- For developers, learn another human language. This helps you learn computer languages (in my anecdotal experience). More generally, it expands your cultural horizons, and it may help you connect with a client or colleague or get you a job overseas.