What does bungee jumping, and software development have in common? If you ask Valdir Castaldelli Junior it has the exact same rush, when the result is good, at least. We met the Android Developer that found a new adventure in Sweden two years ago for a chat about the differences of Brazil and Sweden, and how you navigate the fast-moving field of developing technology.
Hi Valdir! What’s your story?
– My whole professional life has been revolving around technology. I started early 2000s as a Java-developer, as well as a manager. When covid hit, everybody started to think about their future, right? So, I thought to myself, where do I see myself in five years? My wife and I then felt we needed an adventure, we needed to see the world and what was going on outside Brazil. In 2022 we came to Sweden, and I really enjoy life here.
Moving from Brazil, quite a big leap.
– Yeah, it is two different societies, two different environments, really. I had never experienced the cold winters and you could say it was a transition.
I do apologize on behalf of the Swedish weather.
– …and I mean the snow! My two kids love it though. I have plans for them to start skiing also.
“If I would meet myself back in the days when I developed Java, we would have a lot of problems understanding each other.“
What’s the biggest difference workwise?
– In Sweden we have the possibility to work with top notch technology, which is something that I really love to do. Thank God I’m here, it’s really the right place for me.
Tell me about a typical day for you.
– We create magic! For people outside the technology field it looks like magic, anyways. But really, my job is to solve problems, to use creativity to find a new pathway and improve something. We have great teams where we brainstorm together to find new solutions, or to create new technologies that nobody has done before. We don’t have anybody else to solve our problems, we have to come up with the solution. Solving a problem feels like what it must have felt for NASA getting to the moon. It’s a great feeling!
Sounds like it could be quite stressful.
– Yes. We are not robots, we are people and we need to let out steam. It can be really stressful when we don’t have the answers. But when we find the solution it’s very, very satisfying. Imagine the best adrenaline rush, jumping from a bridge and that feeling you get.
Talking about stress management – how do you deal with it?
– I hug my kids and do a lot of fun stuff with them and just enjoy family life. I turn it off and it will be the problem of tomorrow, you have to do that.
What do you believe is the next big thing in your field?
– So, two or three years ago AI wasn’t a reliable technology, but now we have AI working a lot for us. I think we’re only just seeing the beginning of what AI can do. Almost every day we have to learn a new type of technology, so yeah, it’s a constantly self-improving career. We always have to stay ahead. I love to learn so I feel I’m at the right place, definitely.
AI – what’s the deal?
– So, we are both using and developing AI. It helps us gather information quicker and helps us solve problems. I am not working specifically with an AI-project right now, but I hope to work more with it in the future. If we use AI in the right way – we can achieve quicker solutions. I am very positive to the impact of AI, of course we will have some downsides, but I think of it as when electricity came: Mary Shelley created Frankenstein’s monster because we feared what electricity could do. Yes, we have some troubles with AI, and we fear the things we don’t know. But I’m hoping we are on the right path.
What’s the Sebratec community like?
– We have a Brazilian community where we are talking about everything and nothing. Sebratec is not limited to Brazilians only. We have a wonderful development community that provides support and help to each other. We discuss new ideas and technologies and even share good moments. I’m always eager to learn more and develop my knowledge together with others. I think Sebratec enables that.
Do you have an ace up your sleeve?
– I don’t think so. The thing that I like a lot with this job is to adapt to new situations and to learn new stuff. Yes, it is stressful, but I try to manage and balance work-life and to always stay curious.
It sounds like that’s your ace.
– Ha, maybe it is! It’s true, I’m very curious.
Lastly – what’s your best advice to new developers?
– You are not alone. In technology you sometimes have the feeling of “I need to solve this”. But it’s not true. We need to solve it. Together. One brain does not have all the answers.
