Graduate Series – Zachary Bower

At NextGen, we pride ourselves on being a launchpad for talent. We know that for graduates and students, finding the right environment, one that balances high standards with high support, is key. Today, we are sharing a look behind the scenes at life in our engineering team and speaking with Zachary Bower, a recent graduate, about their experience and what the first few months on the team really look like.

What attracted you to this role and team when you were applying, and how has the reality compared to your expectations so far?
I was drawn to the opportunity to apply what I learned at university in a real-world environment while continuing to build new skills. Being able to work locally [in NextGen’s Newcastle office] without needing to relocate to a major city [NextGen’s main office in Sydney] was also a strong factor. Going in, I didn’t have a clear picture of what to expect, but the experience has been very positive. The learning curve has been steep in a good way, and the team culture has made it an encouraging environment to grow in.

Can you describe what you’ve been working on since starting, and how your day-to-day role has evolved?
I initially focused on smaller tasks such as bug fixes and testing, which helped me build confidence and understand the codebase. Over time, I’ve progressed to working on smaller features and have now delivered a number of pieces of work end-to-end. My role has also expanded to supporting others who are implementing those features, which has added a collaborative aspect to my day-to-day work.

What’s been the biggest learning curve for you since joining — technically or otherwise?
Getting familiar with large, established codebases has been the biggest challenge. Understanding how different components fit together and navigating complex repositories took time, but it has been a valuable learning experience.

What’s something new you’ve learned or a skill you’ve developed that you didn’t expect when you first started?
One of the biggest areas of growth has been learning how to write production-quality code. This includes thinking more deeply about edge cases, reliability, and thorough testing, areas that aren’t always emphasised in academic settings.

What challenges have you faced so far, and how did you get support to work through them?
Early on, understanding unfamiliar systems and the reasoning behind certain approaches was challenging. Having access to a knowledgeable and supportive team made a significant difference. Being able to ask questions and learn from others helped me build confidence and develop a stronger understanding over time.

What’s been the most rewarding or exciting moment in your role to date?
A standout moment was completing my first end-to-end feature and seeing it work as intended within a broader system. It was particularly rewarding given how unfamiliar the system felt at the start. Presenting the work to the team, walking through the approach, and receiving feedback was also a valuable experience.

What advice would you give to students or graduates who are thinking about applying for this team or a similar role?
Take the opportunity. It’s a strong environment for learning and development, and being part of a supportive team makes a big difference early in your career.

Whether you are a student looking for your first break or an experienced professional seeking a supportive team culture, we would love to hear from you.

Ready to start your own story at NextGen? Here is how you can get involved:

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