We’re not yet done with the #LifeAtJulie series. This month, meet Vladan Djeric, Lead Developer at Julie Desk and our favourite expert when it comes to food, because, yes, he is also our Chief Foodie Officer!
You missed previous episodes of the series? Meet the rest of the team here.
1. Hello Vladan, can you tell us a bit more about your background?
After completing a master’s degree in computer science, I joined an online marketing company as a ruby-on-rails developer for a 6-month long internship… and ended up working there for 8 years! It was a great experience where I had the opportunity to evolve, meet great people and learn a lot. But then I decided it was time to move on and find a new challenge: Julie Desk.
2. How did you end up at Julie Desk?
As I was saying, I was looking for new challenges. I started looking for a company that looked towards the future. Artificial Intelligence sounded exciting to me, as it will be part of all our lives sooner than we might think, and I wanted to be part of that.
I met the Julie Desk founders and was immediately seduced by the “spirit” of the company and its open-mindedness. 2 hours later I was part of the team.
3. What’s your role at Julie Desk? Can you describe a typical day?
To put it simply, my main role at Julie Desk is to play problem-solver. I spend most of my time with the dev and product teams to discuss new features that we’d like to put in place. We also discuss ways to make the software more efficient. And of course, there are also moments when I focus on implementing solutions to problems.
4. Any advice for people willing to do what you do?
Be open-minded, don’t limit yourself to what seems impossible.
5. What is the main challenge you face (or have faced) while working at Julie Desk?
The main challenge I faced, and still face at Julie Desk, is adapting to the fast-growing market that is Artificial Intelligence. Clients are very enthusiastic about the product and it’s important to quickly adapt to their needs; but at the same time, it’s necessary to have a long-term vision to keep the software evolving. It’s a pretty exciting challenge.
6. Where do you see Julie Desk in 5 years?
I see Julie taking care of all the boring stuff you don’t like to do. For example: “Julie, go pick up my mother-in-law at the airport tomorrow at 8am”. 😉
7. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I don’t know and I don’t want to know, I’d rather be surprised.
8. Three words to describe you?
Foodie, Sports-lover, Curious
9. Anything about you that people might not know and you’d like to share?
I love Kentucky Fried Chicken and I know it’s very, very bad (especially because I’m Julie Desk’s Chief Foodie Officer).
10. What is the first thing you do in the morning? Any routine?
Snooze my alarm clock, which is also the second and the third thing I do in the morning.
11. Your favorite App?
L’Equipe. If it’s not related to sports, I don’t see the point!
12. Favorite meal?
“Sarma”. It’s stuffed cabbage, which is a traditional serbian dish.
13. Favorite quote?
If there is no solution, it’s because there is no problem.
Another one I love is a French proverb: “Fat is Life” 😉
14. Who inspires you the most?
That’s a hard question… I think I’m probably more inspired by ideas rather than specific people.
15. Your best memory at Julie Desk?
Probably the last team building week-end we spent in the countryside. Nature, sport, barbecue and chess. Who could ask for more?
Thank you Vladan. Any reactions? Leave us a comment!
Don’t forget, Sharing is caring >> #LifeAtJulie 😉