Dmitry Raev: I found a job that inspires!

In 2021 I was looking for a job that I would really enjoy. I was willing to learn something new and was considering different options. One day I saw a job posting for an RPA developer at the CSC and decided to apply.

I passed a job interview with the robotization discipline lead and received my first technical assignment. I continued to work at my former place of employment until six in the evening, and afterward I proceeded to my test assignment until six in the morning. It took me ten days this way to complete the task and send it off with a cover letter. I did not pass an interview for a specialist, but I was offered a position as a trainee in robotics, which I accepted. As it turns out, it was for a good reason.

After six months of training, in March 2021, I got a full-time job as a robot administration specialist. I was providing technical support in robotics and advising the customers of these robots. I was performing well. When I just joined, the percentage of requests cleared in time was 92%, then it became 97%, and now our performance has reached 99%.

I was completely immersed in my job. Whenever I had free time, I took the initiative to refine the robots, though it was not part of my core responsibilities. Managers saw my results and engagement, so my career advancement was quite fast. Last February I got promoted to the development department as a lead specialist. With the new assignment came new challenges.

Shortly, in November, I was promoted to chief specialist. Besides my main duties, I liked to be involved in off-project activities, I assisted in the on-boarding of new employees in our field. We effectively finalized an on-boarding plan together with my superior. So, from their first days at the company, new employees know the functions of everyone in the department, understand who we provide services to and what kind of services they are.

Late last year I decided to enter the Best Mentor of the Year contest. I successfully completed all three stages of the contest and was one of the winners! It was a pleasure to be recognized like this at the corporate level. I think this also had an effect on my further promotions - in March I became a robot customization team leader and in October - a department head.

It was not easy to assume new responsibilities, as I had little or no management experience. Three years ago I came to the CSC as a trainee, and now I was leading a team of nine people. Delegating proved to be the hardest part for me. For example, I myself could complete a task in 5 minutes, and if I delegated, it took an employee maybe 15 minutes. On the one hand, it is easier to do it yourself, but on the other hand, assigning a task, taking time to explain, means giving a chance for development to another specialist. It is evident that every next time such a task will be performed easier and faster by the employee. He or she might even come up with a better solution than I do. It promotes the growth of both the manager and the team. Though delegating is still a challenge for me, I'm moving with the team and seeing progress. Nothing is impossible. There are always either excuses or we deliver.

As for the style of management, I am adopting the approach of my superior, which comes naturally to me. I am glad he is the one who has become my mentor and is guiding me. I also try to give the leeway to the team, but insist on aligning the tasks. If needed, the staff can always escalate any question to me. But they prefer to search for a solution on their own and only turn to me when necessary. Each employee has annual objectives stating what skills in which programming languages he or she wants to improve. Naturally, learning any programming language implies results. Any employee of our department can write software.

My new position has also changed the approach to work itself. When I was a regular specialist, I had a fixed schedule unless there were urgent and important tasks. As I'm moving up in my career, there is less and less free time. I just can't stay away from a lot of issues. But anyway, on weekends and vacations, I unplug completely.

The project I am most proud of is the process of optimizing the distribution document processing. This complex process involves multiple sub-processes. Our robot processes about 6,000 requests per month, with no glitches.

As part of the project, we implemented an additional data checker, which eliminated many problems. The robot started sending itself feedback to users in an email as to why it could not accept a particular file for processing. Previously the robot did not send any details on errors. My colleague and I managed this improvement: I was responsible for the technical part, while Ilya Boyarskikh - for handling requests. Besides, he provided cases arising from the robot's work.