Meet the team: Deepa Mhatre – Software Team Lead

In our 'Meet the team' series we give you an insider's outlook on life at Ardent. Today, we speak to Deepa, a brilliant Software Team Lead who has been part of the Ardent family for almost eight years. Deepa as a woman in tech is an inspiration to us here at Ardent and to many young women looking to get into tech.

Tell us about what you do at Ardent

At Ardent, I am responsible for designing and developing the windows, web, and mobile app solutions for one particular client we work with on an ongoing basis. I am also responsible for troubleshooting, debugging, and upgrading the existing software for a number of other clients. I usually work alongside the project manager and other developers to develop project activities, schedules, and regular project progress reports.

What does your typical day look like?

My day starts with my essential item of the day, a cup of tea. Then, once I have reviewed some critical emails, I usually catch up on any communications from the previous day. In the next 10-15 minutes we have a stand-up meeting where everyone says what they’ve achieved, what they’re struggling or blocked with (if anything), and what they’re going to be doing that day.

After the stand-up, if needed, I spend some time with the team working out any issues they may have and then move on for a solid hour of coding which involves problem-solving, development, troubleshooting production issues etc. To close out my day, I try to finish my open items, code reviews and the project deliveries, if any.

How did you find the office environment when you first started?

Things have changed a lot since I joined Ardent. Ardent has invested in many programs to benchmark itself against industry best practices. Some of the noticeable programs include the 'Buddy up scheme' where every new joiner is partnered with a buddy from the beginning so they are supported from day one, regular training and world recognised certifications in order for the employees to serve clients with confidence, software audits to check its quality, progress, or adherence to plans, standards and regulation.

What do you most value about the Ardent culture?

When I joined here as a junior software developer, I was surprised to learn how much communication and teamwork were required – not just within your own team but also the indirect teams. This collaboration is demonstrated highly within the culture of Ardent. I know I can contact any person within the company, and they would be willing to help with any query I may have.

One of the things I love in Ardent is having the ability and freedom to investigate new emerging technologies to find the best fit for the given requirement. These investigations give me the chance to upskill and gain experience to better my decisions in the future.

What’s something you are most proud of achieving since you have been at Ardent?

Over the past few years we have developed and successfully launched many android and iOS apps which is something I am proud of. It's exciting to see customers using something we only initially imagined in our minds. Making an impact in the industry and in customers’ lives is motivating and to be proud of.

What are you most looking forward to?

"Every day brings something new to learn and improve." Since joining Ardent, I have worked on several projects ranging from windows, and web applications to building cross-platform mobile apps. I am consistently looking forward to improving the performance and stability of these apps to ensure a great customer experience.

What led you to a career in tech?

The highly important factor which led me to have a career in tech is: “A big part of your career will involve helping people”. Whether you're working on tech support to solve everyday challenges or developing solutions behind the scenes, a big part of your career will involve making other people's lives simpler with your specialized knowledge. Tech is truly a rewarding career, where you leave every day with the satisfaction that you did some good, either in the lives of your colleagues or in some corner of the world.

How did you find your way to Ardent?

When I was ready to take on a new challenge and join a bigger team, I found Ardent which offers great work culture and value system. I found that the job description fitted well with my skills and qualifications and saw the opportunity to grow my abilities and expand prospects for career advancement. With a good level of experience and skills behind me, I was optimistic about adding immense value to the position Ardent offered me.

Who are you when you’re not at Ardent?

I am a person who always loves cooking. Cooking is something I find enjoyable, as the food is the one that brings people together. Inviting a few relatives and friends over to enjoy an evening together around food can be truly satisfying. I am also a big foodie and a traveller, who can go on a road trip or travel far distances just to try a specific dish or trendy food and enjoy travelling.

We asked some of the team what it is like working with Deepa

Deepa is one of the best colleagues in the organization. She is always smiling and carries a positive approach wherever she goes. She is hardworking and is always ready to help anyone. She shows her excellence not only in work but also in the team-building events and games in which we all take part in. She is named the “Jenga Queen” of Ardent. - Anirudha Deshmukh, HR Manager

Deepa is a smart and working individual, he has excellent presentation skills which are helpful in project demos and training. She is a quick learner and has invested her time in learning a number of technologies. Overall she is an excellent development and a pleasure to work with. She always takes part in team-building activities from quizzes to festival days and we get to see her incredible Rangoli skills over the festival. - Laxman Amrale, Head of Data Engineering

Find out more about careers at Ardent or explore our other 'Meet the team' stories:

Meet the team: Noor Khan – Senior Marketing Executive

Meet the team: Vikas Bare – Associate Technical Account Manager

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