We recently sat down with Isobel, who joined VivCourt as a software engineer in 2024 after completing her Bachelor of Technology with a major in Computer Science at Monash University. Now part of our Desktop Applications team, Isobel shares insights into her role and what excites her most about the road ahead in her tech career.
How did you get into engineering, and what do you love about it? I had some exposure to STEM in a high school robotics club, and speaking to women in the IT faculty at Monash inspired me to pursue a future in technology. Since choosing Computer Science as my degree, I haven’t looked back – the satisfaction you get from solving a problem after lots of hard work is very rewarding.
How was moving to Sydney? Moving here was a massive change! However, with VivCourt’s support and many other graduates in similar positions, I didn’t feel too much like a fish out of water. Everyone I’ve met has been incredibly welcoming and friendly.
Tell us about your role at VivCourt. As a Graduate Software Engineer in Desktop Apps, I work on various front-end apps traders use, mainly in C#. Our work includes adding new features and applications, providing production support to multiple desks, and maintaining the existing codebase, so I’m collaborating with many different people.
What skill from your degree helps you most in your role? Through my degree, I gained experience in many different programming languages and paradigms. My breadth of knowledge across various domains has made me adaptable – for example, I’d only worked a little in C#, but it was easy to pick up.
Why did you choose to work at a trading firm? The biggest appeal is the complex problems you get to tackle on a daily basis. The work is always dynamic, so I feel engaged with what I’m doing every day.
What’s been the biggest challenge at work? There was a big learning curve because it was my first time working with such a large existing codebase. However, through repeated exposure, I’ve gradually come to understand how the apps work. If there is ever something I don’t know, my team is always happy to answer any questions.
What excites you most about VivCourt’s future? It has been inspiring to see what VivCourt has done with so many not-for-profits. It’s exciting to be part of a company so focused on creating positive change, and I look forward to seeing what’s in store for us as we grow.
