Name: Craig Aldrich
Role: Senior Software Engineer
Why do you love what you do?
It sounds funny, but it took several years before I realized that this was my “career”. I honestly felt like some day I’d stop getting paid to solve these interesting little puzzles with my friends, and have to find a job. For as long as I can remember I’ve loved logic puzzles, and taking things apart to see how they work, and sometimes putting them back together a different way to see what would happen. For me, software engineering is fundamentally equivalent to those same concepts that I loved so much as a child!
Favorite food?
If you’re going to make me pick just one, I guess I’d say Japanese cuisine! I love rice, sushi, ramen, yakisoba, and pretty much everything that goes along with them! Though the “dad joke” lover in me wants to respond “YES! I’d favorite it twice, but it just keeps de-selecting the star!“.
What is an accomplishment you’re proud of?
It’s so overdone, but I honestly can’t think of anything that I’m more proud of than my family. We were so worried about how unprepared we were, and we felt like we had no idea what we were doing (I’m told this is common among parents), yet somehow 19 years later we have 50 fingers and toes and 5 happy smiles between us. It’s pretty amazing!
Anything else we should know?
I guess my non-cliche (but distant) second greatest accomplishment would be that I haven’t died or destroyed my house as a result of projects that I “learned” how to do on YouTube. Finishing my basement, replacing cell phone screens, replacing every pipe and component (including liner) of our 15’ x 30’ swimming pool, etc.
How did you get started down the path to becoming a developer?
I grew up as a Marine Corps brat in a small town without much industry or career opportunity nearby. After high school, I decided to join the Air Force, mostly because I had been around the military my whole life but had no desire to be a Marine. When I talked to the recruiter, he asked what I liked to do, and I responded “I kinda like computers…?“
Fun Fact?
I was a member of the Honor Guard while in the Air Force, stationed in Los Angeles. This provided some really cool opportunities, such as greeting the last emperor of China as he deplaned, performing funeral services for some really notable people, and even being an extra in an episode of Stargate: SG1!
What made you decide to join We Write Code?
As a person who loves to learn and explore, the typical corporate developer job duties start trending towards mundane after a few years. I felt like We Write Code’s business model would provide me with more opportunities to branch out and do different things!
How do you see your past experiences at other organizations helping you in your new position at We Write Code?
Learning and growth is 100% about recognizing past experiences, even if it’s as simple as “what not to do”. I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked for some great companies in a wide variety of industries including logistics, HR, benefits, payroll, mortgage, and insurance, with roles ranging from junior developer to DBA to director, so I feel like this helps provide multiple perspectives on any given problem.
What hobbies and activities do you do outside of work?
I play rhythm guitar in a local cover band. It’s a lot of fun! Otherwise it’s all about family time…. We play a ton of board and card games, watch a lot of movies and anime, and video games (Beat Saber, Mario Kart, and most recently Pokemon Unite).