What do the career path and the day-in-the-life look like for a Software Development Manager at Chewy?
We connected with Orlatha Duffy to find out!
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Where did you grow up? What did your parents do for work?
Belfast, Northern Ireland. My mother was an Irish step dancing teacher and my father was a professor in mechanical engineering.
Where did you go to college? What did you study and what were some of your initial jobs out of school?
The University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland. Computer Science, I did an internship for 15 months during the third year of my degree at Microsoft and went back to work there after graduating.
What has attributed to your success thus far and has helped propel you to the position you have now?
A strong work ethic instilled by my parents at a young age and a belief that everyone deserves a chance if you are willing to work hard.
Can you share the high-level responsibilities of your current position as a Software Development Manager at Chewy?
I currently manage the technical CMS, Accessibility and SEO teams at Chewy. We work in an agile environment and I manage all ceremonies as well as all projects for my teams. I work closely with the product and business teams on our initiatives.
Any tips for someone considering a career in Engineering?
Keep an open mind, learn as much as you can from the people around you and always strive to do your best. Never be afraid to ask questions or listen to other's advice/opinions.
Day in the Life
Coffee, tea, or nothing?
Tea all day, every day!!
What time do you get into the office?
Between 8-9am
What are three things that motivate you in your role?
Team members and striving to do the best that I can for them. Helping people and being an integral part of our A11Y (accessibility team) making strides to make our site accessible for everyone including people with disabilities.
Every day is different, but can you outline what a typical day looks like for you?
Every day is different, stand up’s, roadmap discussions, 1 on 1’s with team members, working through issues that arise, never a dull moment, we work in a very fast paced environment.
What time do you head out of the office?
Between 5-6pm
Do you log back in at night or do you shut it down completely?
Typically log back in at night or follow slack but I like to shut it down completely when I can.
Any productivity hacks?
Learn to multi-task and do it well….
What are the 3 apps that you can’t live without?
Chewy, Music & Whatsapp (connecting with family)
Who do you admire or call upon for professional advice?
I have a few bosses from previous roles that I now call friends and consult with them for advice.
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