Nikki Petersen piknikki

What role does empathy play in your life and how has it helped you?

Empathy is part of every single day. I have three kids and have to be able to understand what they need in order to get through their school day. Although I always thought of myself as fairly emotionally intelligent, I had no idea what it really was until my kids and I did a few years of therapy after my divorce. Empathy is essential for understanding your own feelings and those of others, and being able to move on to greater things.

How does empathy help you build better software?

Empathy helps me understand myself, and in doing so, I an understand others better. When I understand my coworkers better, I do better work. When I understand the client better, I create something they actually want and need.

Why is empathy important for working on a team?

When you've worked towards a goal in the past, what systems or tools have been helpful for you in accomplishing that goal? How could you adapt those same systems/tools to use while at Turing?

I've used a variety of tools, from people/rubber duckies to stick models, and including google and stack overflow. I think that I am pretty resourceful and good at finding information. I'd like to get better at knowing when to stop struggling on my own and asking for help.

As you start this new career, what is one of your strengths and how do you know?

I think one very important skill for developers is getting along with others, so that you can safely ask questions (both challenging others in a respectful way and in asking for help). I think I'm good at establishing relationships and rapport with others, as I had to learn to do it