Hey Martin! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I'm Martin Patino, currently working as a Software Engineer at Sibi, where I'm part of the partner integration team. I was born and raised in California and moved to Arizona in 2006. There, I finished my high school education and later pursued an undergraduate degree at Arizona State University, majoring in Criminal Justice, and graduated in 2015.
So, why did you decide to become a Software Engineer?
Originally my career aspirations were geared towards becoming a probation or customs officer. However, things took a different turn after graduation when I started working at the Department of Child Safety, dealing with young adults. While in that role, I noticed some communication challenges, especially when it came to tracking program statuses. To solve this issue, I took it upon myself to learn PHP and develop a small portal that allowed these young adults to monitor their application statuses. This experience sparked my interest in technology and software development. Gradually, I built my network within the tech community in Phoenix and eventually landed my first job as an engineer. That's how my journey in software engineering began.
What makes Sibi a good place to work? What are some of the the things about our culture that you value?
What I appreciate most about Sibi is the accessibility and openness of everyone, ranging from the business team and senior engineers to even top executives like the CEO and CTO. Everyone is receptive to questions and ideas. Sibi fosters an environment that encourages experimentation and innovation, not just in technology but also in our methodologies. I believe this culture stems from Sibi’s origins; it was established in response to a market problem, naturally instilling a constant learning attitude in all of us.
I firmly believe that engineers thrive when they are at their most creative. At Sibi, we embrace failure as a valuable learning experience rather than a setback. Every team member is supportive of each other's goals, and we are always eager to learn about new ideas. Having direct access to our customers and gaining insight into the real problems faced in our industry makes our work feel truly impactful.
Outside of work, what are some of your interests or hobbies?
I'm an avid enthusiast of the latest tech trends, especially involving AI projects. I'm currently planning and working on a personal project that involves creating an AI tools to automate translation and subtitles generation on the fly. When I'm not immersing myself in technology, I'm at home, caring for my family and our pets - two dogs, a cat, twelve chickens, and seven quails. Spending quality time with my family is also a significant part of my daily routine.
Last but not least, what is a word of advice you’d give to a new engineer?
Stay curious and keep on hacking. Embrace mistakes, for they are stepping stones towards learning something new and being a expert.
Connect with Martin on these socials:
https://github.com/thisguymartin
https://blog.martinpatino.com/
