Why This Senior iOS Engineer Isn’t Afraid of Failure

Jonathan Samudio
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Job: Senior iOS Engineer, Prolific Interactive
Education: B.A. in Computer Engineering, NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering
Twitter: @weareprolific

What was your first “real” job? How did you get it?

While I was studying computer engineering at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, my college mentor set me up with a summer internship at The Navigators, a Christian ministry. My job was to conduct phone surveys with ministry leaders in an effort to obtain a better understanding of their work and potential areas for improvement. While the mission was important to me, the work was draining. I spent countless hours on the phone, asking questions and taking detailed notes. I wasn’t well suited to that sort of work, but I found a way to make it more engaging by putting my love for programming to good use: I created a windows application that allowed us to store all of the survey responses and filter them based on keywords. I loved creating something new that helped optimize our experience. In doing so, I discovered my passion for identifying problems and finding solutions – a passion which led me to my current role as senior iOS engineer at Prolific Interactive.

What do you spend the majority of your work day doing?

Prolific Interactive is a mobile-focused product agency. We spend our days developing killer apps for our partners (which include notable companies like SoulCycle, American Express, and Saks Fifth Avenue). As a project lead and software engineer, I’m responsible for managing my team of engineers to make sure we’re working efficiently and delivering the best possible product. I have three key priorities on any given day. First, I analyze a project’s status, identifying any issues and addressing them by bringing the right people together or finding the solution myself. Second, I support my product team by conducting catch-up meetings with my engineers to ensure they feel supported and excited about their work. And third is actual programming! I help build world-class mobile applications as part of the product team, and I also do some experimental side projects. I feel so lucky to work with supportive colleagues and have the freedom and flexibility to choose what I want to work on.

What is one of the biggest obstacles you’ve faced?

I used to be deeply afraid of failure. In fact, I felt I had to be perfect in everything I did. Over time, however, I realized that my fear was holding me back from taking chances, and I knew I had to make a change. I made a concerted effort to embrace mistakes and to see them as lessons instead of setbacks. It wasn’t until I was comfortable with failure that I was able to exceed my own expectations both in my career and my life. Afterall, failure is just part of a larger journey.

What advice do you wish you could have given yourself on day one of your career?

I wish I could tell myself to develop deep relationships with my colleagues from day one. When I first started out, I was so focused on my technical abilities and becoming a better programmer that I didn’t recognize the importance of relationship-building. People make the difference at work. You typically spend more time with your co-workers than anyone else in your life, so it’s crucial to learn from them both professionally and socially.

Do you have any specific strategies you use to stay productive?

I always try to trust people and delegate as much as possible. That way, other people can gain more experience and I have more time to tackle other issues. When I’m in a productive mindset, I also like to block off time in my calendar when I know I can get work done uninterrupted.

What's something about your work habits that people might be surprised to learn?

Whenever I need to express ideas, I grab a whiteboard to draw out the entire process. I’m a very visual person so it’s easier for me to understand connections between ideas when everything is in front of me. White-boarding is magical.

What was the most memorable moment of your career to date?

The first time I ever led a project as an engineering lead was extremely memorable. I was put in charge of developing The American Express Open Forum App. I made many mistakes during that time, but I also learned so much. Due to my inexperience, I said yes to every request that came across my desk. Whenever a product manager or designer asked me to do something, I agreed without truly understanding the requirements or time limitations. These errors helped me realize that it’s a lead’s job to be discerning and to prioritize tasks while keeping a timeline in mind. I also learned that the people you work with make or break an experience. My colleagues got me through that experience and I cannot thank them enough. That project and the lessons it taught me got me where I am today.

How have certain candidates stood out to you (in a good way) during the hiring process?

I look for dedication and a genuine passion for programming. A lot of people can program, but learning will come more naturally and quickly for the person who has a particularly strong interest in development. I’m sure to ask the question, “Why did you choose iOS development?” The answer is always illuminating.

What have you read or listened to recently that you’d recommend?

Recently, I've been reading articles on Medium to learn more about programming and uncover management tips. I’d highly recommend Adrian Kosmaczewski’s article “A Quest for a Better World,” a manifesto for software developers.

Do you have a favorite motto or saying that keeps you motivated?

"Failure is not an option. It's a necessity."

Images by Stetson Gleave
Prolific Interactive is a Jopwell partner company