🎙 Welcome to the next edition of the #EmployeeSpotlight blog series 🎙

In today’s instalment we’re interviewing our Ruby Developer, Joel Savage.

1. How long have you worked at Exact Editions?

    I’m going to reach 2 years in May! I came to work at Exact Editions after finishing a web development bootcamp following a career change from being a pastry chef.

    2. Could you describe a day in the life of a Ruby Developer?

    After starting the day with a good cup of coffee, I have a stand-up call with the development team where we discuss the day’s tasks and what we’re going to accomplish. Then I’ll start working on one of my projects, writing code to develop and test new features for our sites. I really enjoy writing code as it involves an element of problem solving and finding a solution to something particularly challenging is very rewarding!

    3. What is your favourite thing about your job?

    Probably implementing a new feature for one of our sites, especially when it may be something that I’ve not done or worked with before. I love to learn about new technologies as it challenges me to think of different approaches I can take to find a solution!

    4. What is a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

    I can play the guitar, my current go-to songs at the moment are The Scientist by Coldplay and Hurt by Johnny Cash!

    5. What is one thing you can’t live without?

    My Spotify library as I love to have some music on whilst I work, especially some Billy Joel!

    6. What do you like to do in your free time?

    I love to bake whenever I can, usually I’ll make some fresh bread but I always like to try and do new things. Just recently I made some chocolate and tahini cookies which were a huge hit! But between baking, I also love to read Agatha Christie and to try and piece together the different clues in a mystery!

    Quick-fire favourites:

    Meal?

    Roast dinner followed by treacle tart and custard for dessert!

    Holiday destination?

    I love to visit Paris and to go to as many patisseries and bakeries as I can. One of my favourite things to get is a freshly baked Pain Suisse!

    Cocktail?

    An Old Fashioned, especially when it’s made with a good smoky whiskey and has the perfect balance of sweet and bitter!

    Thanks so much to Joel for taking part, it’s been great to hear about the favourite bits of your role!

    Whether you’re a magazine reader, publisher or librarian, you can find out more about Exact Editions by getting in touch at info@exacteditions.com or by visiting our consumer, institutional and publisher websites.