Time to meet Eliel Berra, Software Engineer at Avature, whose unexpected journey into the tech world began during the pandemic. Before becoming an Avaturian, Eli had a diverse background in music and psychology. His path to technology and programming was sparked by his innovative approach to providing therapeutic support via video editing and animation.
In this interview, Eli shares how his career evolved from psychology to technology, the key experiences and skills that fueled his rapid growth, the challenges he overcame with little IT experience, and the most fulfilling aspects of his roles at Avature.
For anyone considering a career shift into tech or simply curious about Eli’s inspiring journey, join us as we explore how he transitioned from one field to another and found his true passion along the way. Spoiler alert: even today, he continues to discover what aspects of technology bring him the most joy, a testament to his continuous exploration and development.
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What initially drew you to the tech world, and how did you first come across Avature?
My journey before discovering Avature was far from the tech world. After high school, I studied music for five years and worked as a school supervisor. Later, I switched to psychology, which I initially enjoyed. However, post-graduation and after a few patient interactions, I realized it wasn’t my true passion. Additionally, the pandemic hit soon after that, and interactions became virtual, which was particularly challenging for me since I’m a people person and prefer face-to-face interactions over video calls. I began providing therapeutic support to a child via Zoom and got into video editing and animation to connect with him in more engaging ways. That’s when I discovered a love for technology and video editing that I didn’t know I had in me.
I knew I wanted a change; something in technology. Initially, I thought UX design was the way to go, but then I found my true calling in programming. From one week to another, I left psychology behind and immersed myself in courses, discussions with friends, and extensive reading, developing a deep passion for tech. This passion led me to Avature, thanks to a referral from a friend who was part of the Consulting team at the time. I joined the Integrations Services team in February 2022 as integrations analyst. In this customer-facing role, I managed integration projects from start to finish, focusing on functional and technical analysis, project management, and designing various stand-alone integrations. This position allowed me to apply my new skills in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
Even though I faced a few initial challenges, like not knowing how to turn on a computer with Linux on my first day, the team was incredibly supportive. Traveling from Buenos Aires, my hometown, to the Rosario office to get to know my teammates there also helped me get even more comfortable and boosted my confidence in handling technical tasks and customer interactions at Avature.
What would you say inspired you to make the switch from Integrations to the WebSources team? Can you tell us about the transition and your new team?
I’m passionate about teaching, which runs in my family. As part of Integrations, one of the things I did was to create interactive training videos to share knowledge and experiences with fellow teammates. For me, this task was all about people and helping others learn and grow, which is something I’ve always enjoyed. While I loved this aspect and the technical parts of my role, I found coding more fulfilling than setting up integrations, which is more UI-focused and not as technical. I wanted to dive deeper into development. After requesting internal mobility, I transitioned to WebSources as a Software Engineer.
In this new role, I had to learn two new programming languages, PHP and TypeScript, as well as tools like Prometheus and Puppet. To achieve this, I read manuals, watched videos and tutorials, and joined lots of meetings with colleagues where I could ask questions and receive real-time explanations. The support from my team was incredible, and this collaborative approach greatly facilitated my onboarding process.
WebSources is responsible for developing and maintaining the WebSources platform, which enables users to search for candidates across multiple job sites and sources simultaneously. Together, we design, build, test, and maintain the WebSources platform, working with diverse technologies, applying a more technical and coding-focused approach. The transition has been challenging but incredibly rewarding, constantly pushing me to learn and grow more.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when you first joined Avature with little IT experience, and how did you overcome them?
Remote work was initially challenging for me. My former manager’s frequent office visits and Avature’s social events, like AvaFutbol, after-hour gatherings, end-of-year celebrations, and Avature Summer Day programs, helped me connect with colleagues in person and adjust to the hybrid work model. These experiences were invaluable in making me feel part of the team. Embracing Avature’s flexible work culture and engaging in social activities made a big difference.
As for my little IT experience, I had to study many things since development is an exact science and constantly evolving. Continuous learning was essential. But luckily for me, the supportive environment and my determination to learn helped me overcome these challenges.
What new skills have you developed during your time at Avature that you didn’t expect to learn?
I’ve always been a researcher, but at Avature, I’ve honed this skill further. I now have the confidence to learn almost anything on my own, knowing the information is out there. Development has taught me patience, problem-solving skills, and how to deal with constant adaptation, which aligns with my nature of having a diverse range of interests.
What aspects of software development do you enjoy the most?
I love the creative aspect. Software development, like art, is about making something good and functional, creating something unique and refining it. This creative process is what I love the most, much like my past experiences in music and theater.
Can you share a memorable moment or achievement at Avature that highlights your journey and growth?
A memorable moment was creating an interactive exercise to teach new teammates about integrations. It included jokes, images, and animations, and knowing it's still being used after I left the team is incredibly rewarding.
What advice would you give to someone with a non-technical background who is considering a career in technology at Avature?
I’d say, “Apply and go for it!” Avature is one of the few companies that values junior profiles without a tech degree or extensive experience. They see potential and focus on your interests and motivations over your previous experience or background, so if you're passionate and willing to learn, Avature is a great place to start your tech career—we will support you and help you grow!