The Tale of a Startup, a Keyboard, and a New Language
## A Unique Start
My journey with this FinTech began with an unexpected twist. The interview process kicked off smoothly with the CTO—a warm, approachable person who made a strong first impression. The first round felt like a breeze, mainly conversational without delving too deeply into technicalities. Then came the second round.
Picture this: It’s a remote interview, and I’m ready to ace it. Except, the Zoom app on my trusty Linux machine decided not to cooperate. In a last-minute scramble, I grabbed my wife’s iMac, blissfully unaware of the Hungarian keyboard layout it was set to. For those unfamiliar, Hungarian keyboards swap some essential coding characters and even letters like z and x.
What ensued during the coding task in React.js was both comical and nerve-wracking. Every time I tried to write code, an unexpected character would pop up. Combine this with a rising stress level, and by the time the backend lead’s questions rolled in, I wasn’t at my best. I even told the recruiter afterward that I wasn’t confident about my performance. But to my pleasant surprise, the offer letter followed shortly.
## Settling In
The onboarding process was smooth and welcoming. My initial tasks focused on React.js, but soon I shifted to backend work—a space I’m more passionate about. The PHP framework in use wasn’t my personal favorite, but I understood its merits for the business. It was reliable, though whispers in the community hinted that its updates might not last forever.
Meanwhile, the company culture was exceptional. Team collaboration thrived, leadership was approachable, and the remote work-life balance was ideal. I felt at home.
## Exciting Developments
Change was in the air. There were murmurs of something significant. Soon, the news broke: our little FinTech was being acquired by one of the UK’s largest banks! Excitement mingled with apprehension—would this merger erase our beloved startup culture? Thankfully, leadership reassured us that our way of working would remain intact.
Post-merger, opportunities blossomed. With newfound resources, the company aimed higher and decided to reimagine the entire platform. Enter: Golang.
## The Big Leap: Embracing Golang
The decision to rewrite the platform in Golang was monumental. Developers, including myself, were offered a chance to upskill. I embraced it wholeheartedly, diving into Golang beyond work, experimenting with open-source projects, and falling in love with its simplicity and performance.
This led to a new personal mission: sharing my knowledge with the wider community through videos.