Ask anyone who works in tech, and they’ll probably tell you a version of the same story; tech is challenging but it’s fun. For Hemense Lan, a Software Developer at AFEX, the transition into Tech was quite interesting.

In this episode, he shares his honest insight into life, the inside life of a tech bro in a 9-5. His undying love for philosophy, the mantra that has kept him running in his career, and how being surrounded by family is the biggest motivation that will get you to any destination in life.

Hello, tell us about yourself, in “Emmanuella’s voice,” is this your real face?

Lol. I am Hemense Lan, a different person to different people; I mean, the version of Hemense at work differs from the one in the office; centrally, I’m loved by all. At home, I’m goofier with my siblings. For corporate life, I try to balance out the two. All work and no play will drag you down, so I don’t want that.

What was childhood like for you? You just mentioned you’re goofier at home.

My childhood was rich in laughter and playing around. We all grew up imitating the brightness of the sun. At least, that’s something someone told me. My siblings are my biggest support systems and cheer persons, so naturally, my home is my happy space.

**I see now, the reason, you’re almost always cheerful. **

Yeah, that and my teammates too. When we’re not cracking codes, we definitely are cracking jokes, or doing both at once.

Speaking of which, how did you find out about AFEX?

It was the middle of last year when I was looking for a career change, and I knew I needed to do something different in a new environment. So, when I stumbled upon an opening for a software developer role in AFEX, I grabbed it. Mind you, I’ve loved playing around with computers since I was little Funnily, I applied in passing (One of those jobs you apply for and do not expect a reply or forget). In my case, I forgot that I had applied, I was randomly going through my unread emails for unopened messages and realized I got a slot for an interview. Also, shout out to LinkedIn for directing the role to my timeline.

This is a real “God when situation”, would you call it luck or grace?

Is this like that religious luck or grace question? I’ve seen a few skits on this. But it’s grace, always grace. The thing is I forgot because I was caught up in a lot of things then. Questioning where I was and what I wanted to be and do.

Okay, has working in AFEX impacted your career journey so far? Do you think you made the right decision transitioning?

I barely track that, now you mention it, yeah. There was a very recent “breakthrough” for me. My shoulder pads are still high from the event.

Please tell us, let’s know if we will help you keep it higher.

First things first, Tanner Linsey (Tanstack) is a god in Software development.

Recently, I wanted to use his component-React table to build software here in AFEX. It came out nice, but it wasn’t giving me what I wanted, I had to look at his source code to see the arrangement of his code. I checked his implementation and combined it with mine and it gave me the exact thing I wanted to create.

So, the excitement of getting work done made me reach out to him on Twitter and he reacted to it! So yeah, AFEX gave me an opportunity to reach out to my career idol and I am grateful.

That’s huge, I’ll go and shoot similar shots soon.

Oh, please do, it is pleasing and satisfying. I was the happiest person on earth for days.

So, what tools would you say make your job as a Software developer seamless here at AFEX?

So, I’d say Tech-stack. Coming to AFEX and realizing that we use react and typescript was a blessing in a pack. React is one of the coolest tools out there, it helps you catch the bugs early and also architect your codes better. So, for me, a mixture of this current tech stack and our designing/developing pathway makes coding an easier task.

Something worthy of note is that if a coder is not properly equipped, frustration will take the person out. As a developer, there are apps that can frustrate your efforts and turn all your inputs and coding futile. This frustration will come if you like coding or not sha.

Does coding frustrate you?

You know the answer, I love coding, easily one of my favourite things after two plates of peppered snails of course. bugs are cruel, they don’t care, just to cause trouble and anxiety. So, sometimes it does.

Asides from coding, what else excites you?

Philosophy! I’ve been a fan since my early days. Guys like Confucius, Socrates, Immanuel Kant, and Plato all inspire me. Also, codes swing the magic wand for me, can’t imagine myself in any alternate universe where I do not code. Finally, music -the soul whisperer. But there’s a twist, I listen to afrobeat and pop, but they don’t “whisper” to my soul like metal, or rock does for me. I recommend people be acceptive of those genres in this part of our world.

You mentioned you needed a job transition before joining AFEX. Did you have expectations on joining the Organization?

This question is tricky, prior to coming here I had this Google workspace in my head, where you get lunch food carts every day. A break room (that has PS5) and also creative corners, anyways that hasn’t been met fully but I look forward to it. Also, maybe a small pitch. I’ll score us 85/100 on those grounds. However, every other expectation has been met.

Football in the Office?

Why do you sound surprised? For after office hours sha. But we have somewhere we use, so, I’m good on that one.

You’re funny, what’s something unusual we’d likely find in your bag?

Nothing so funny, but I’ll say a sock, but hear me out, I play football. There’s usually a need to change socks before games (I can’t be playing in my corporate socks). Thing is, I keep a football kit in my bag, so when I get home and throw everything out, there are chances that I may forget a sock or a pair in the bag.

What advice will you give anyone looking to work in AFEX?

This advice is for anyone looking to work anywhere, you have to know what you want and how the organization will help you achieve it.

In 2021, Dare Obasanjo said something that struck me and I’ve lived by it “Employment is a transaction, you for the company and the company for you.

So, in every transaction you should be looking to gain for it, if it is only the company that gains, then you are disadvantaged. Make sure your growth is not impeded, and always leave the office better than you came into it.