Hi Xi! Would you kindly introduce yourself and provide some information about your background?

Hello! I'm Xi Chen, originally from China. When I was about to graduate from high school in China, my mother's best friend approached her with the news that a group of Finnish teachers were recruiting students in China to study in Finland. Studying abroad wasn't something I had considered before, and I knew nothing about Finland. However, as a young man with nothing to lose, I embraced the challenge. 

I spent four years studying in Vaasa for my bachelor’s degree after which I continued pursuing my master’s degree from Aalto University in Communications Engineering. The reason I chose this study subject was because of Nokia, which used to be my dream workplace at my younger age. Even though that dream was fulfilled to a certain extent, I discovered my passion for software engineering. After graduation from Aalto University, I have worked in various software companies in Finland, including product companies and consulting businesses. I also tried my hand at co-founding a software startup. In my spare time, I enjoy playing badminton, jogging and engaging in activities close to nature.

Could you please tell us shortly about your professional journey? How has your work evolved over the years?

My first job in software engineering was with a consulting business. There, I worked on various customer projects, spanning across frontend, backend, and mobile development. It was during that period that smartphones were just emerging. I was fascinated by this technology, prompting me to make the decision to specialize in the mobile platform. This decision drove me to transition to a mobile product company, where I delved deeper from the application level to the OS level on mobile devices—an impressive experience. I was one of the main contributors to the product there and had the opportunity to lead an engineering team.

As my passion for software engineering continued to grow, I expanded into the backend side. I joined another product company, where I could work on both mobile and backend sides. Then, microservices gained popularity in the industry, I gradually shifted my focus in that direction. Over time, I took on the role of software architect, firstly in a consulting company and then in a product company.

What do you find most rewarding about being part of the THS team?

Since joining THS, I've found fulfillment in various aspects, with the most rewarding aspect being the people. The individuals at THS are not only intelligent but also genuinely care for one another. This fosters meaningful collaborations and a supportive work culture. We share knowledge and learn collectively, contributing to each one's personal growth.

What currently excites you the most about your work, and which skills would you like to develop further?

The thing that excites me the most at work currently is the evolving product I started contributing to. It provides me with the opportunity to tackle interesting challenges in software architecture design. This experience is invaluable as I will gain more experience in cloud-native software design. Additionally, the product we are engineering holds great significance in the field of eye care. I’d like to apply more Domain-Driven Design (DDD) principles in architecture design and further develop in that area.

Could you please share with us a nice memory from your time at THS?

The team members I've been closely working with are mostly located in Oulu, while I am in Helsinki. Every time I visit Oulu, I receive a warm welcome. We enjoy some fun ice-cream time together in the office as a work break. Additionally, I participate in the most relaxing meditation sessions organized by my dear colleagues, making my entire afternoon work more productive. This is just one of the many pleasant memories I've had at THS so far! 😊