Graduate Series: Meet Alfred

Next up in our graduate series: Alfred Steven Chung. Alfred joined as a graduate developer in 2024 – here’s how his learning journey has unfolded at NextGen…

Q: What has been the most surprising aspect of transitioning from university to the professional world?
A: A lot of lecturers warned us about overworking and lack of flexibility, but that hasn’t been my experience. I focus on delivering high-quality work within the tasks assigned to me, and there is no expectation to work crazy hours.

Q: How are you applying the skills or knowledge you gained in school to your role so far?
A: Problem-solving, time management, and strong communication skills, especially when collaborating with different teams.

Q: What challenges have you encountered in your first few weeks, and how have you approached them?
A: One challenge was getting used to doing more independent work. I’ve learned to balance when to ask for help and when to do something on my own, which has helped me complete tasks more efficiently.

Q: What kind of support or mentorship have you found most helpful as a new graduate entering the workforce?
A: The buddy system has been incredibly helpful. It makes me feel comfortable asking questions and ensures I feel supported.

Q: How do you see your role evolving, and what are your goals for personal and professional growth in the next year?
A: I started with smaller, simpler tasks, but now I’m working on more complex projects. As I build trust, I hope to deepen my understanding of the codebase and the product, with the goal of eventually becoming a senior developer.

Q: What tools, frameworks, or programming languages have you been exposed to in your role that were new to you?
A: I’ve been working with XSLT, JavaScript, and Angular.

Q: How do you collaborate with other engineers or departments when working on larger codebases or projects?
A: I work closely with the QA team to review tasks whilst collaboration with product innovation teams and other departments has been easy and seamless.

Q: Would you recommend NextGen?
A: Absolutely. Everyone is very helpful and the rotation system is great for gaining an understanding of what other teams do and getting exposure to different managers.