Meet our Full-Stack Engineer Intern, Nino – the youngest member of our team

Take a look at Ars Futura through the eyes of one of our recent newcomers and see what deserted islands and Elon Musk have to do with it.

Nino, our Full-Stack Intern, joined Ars Futura in October last year.

What have you been doing at Ars Futura since you joined our team?

Well, I started working in Ars Futura in October.

My job has been to take care of all of the updates we’re doing on our own web. We’re currently adding new content and features, working on both the front-end and the back-end of Ars Futura’s web. I do the research on how best to implement changes and develop them.

Simple as that!

I’m currently working on the admin part of our website, something for our employees that won’t be visible to the public. When I first came here, I had to do some front-end work. Next, I switched to the back-end and integrated different apps into our admin system.

I actually liked the whole onboarding process a lot. It was never overwhelming and it gave me a chance to find out which areas of development I enjoy the most (currently it’s back-end).

I’ve had a full-on mentorship since I got here and have a few people available to me if I ever need any help. Still, the tasks I work on are never simple and are often not straightforward.

What was your first impression of Ars Futura?

I was really nervous because I first came to the office for my interview. I know there were only 25 of you but it seemed like a lot of people back then. Then we got to the cosy conference room and everything was suddenly a lot easier.

The interview was friendly and relaxed, I like how warm the whole conversation was. You gave me a chance to show you what I do and my work and it made me feel cool.

I especially liked my first day! I got my own place in the office, my table, Macbook, and merch. It made me feel grown-up or important in a way.

What are your must-dos in the next five years? Things you’ll be a bit disappointed if you don’t get to do?

Work-wise, I would love to be working on big and significant projects. Something that would benefit a lot of people and maybe change someone’s life. Big wants, I know!

Life-wise, I would like to spend most of my time with my family and friends. That is why I like the flexible hours – you get to live your life while working.

Other than that, I’d like to do the usual stuff: climb Velebit (a mountain in Croatia), travel the world, especially Russia, go to Forestland (a music festival), revisit Poland, and see Croatia’s islands. I like the idea of the islands that are uninhabited and empty but you can still camp or hike on.

Like, how cool is it to have an island all to yourself?

Nino in the conference room he felt so comfortable in.

How do you spend time off work?

I work and I go to college, that’s already a lot! What more do you want!

Jokes aside, I actually volunteer a lot. The last time I volunteered, we went to help the Red Cross sort food after an earthquake. It was so inspiring to see so many young people helping out. It was even more amazing to see the people you help. You could feel the gratefulness in the air.

What activity did you pick up during lockdown?

It wasn’t anything big but I did start moving and exercising more. We were all stuck in the house, not going anywhere and I really missed the everyday hustle and bustle, the movement that was usually a part of my day.

Now, I exercise quite regularly. So, thank you lockdown!

If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would you choose?

I know it’s a cliche, but probably Elon Musk. I just feel like he has a good vision, he encourages people to meet their highest, achieve their full potential. I would love to know what his days are really like. Is he the person he seems to be?

Plus, I would love to know what it’s like to have that many obligations. How does he deal with them all?

Generally, I would switch with anyone who I feel is impactful, who leaves a mark on people.

What’s your pet peeve? And in contrast, what’s your favorite thing about people?

Oh, pessimism. I can’t be around pessimistic people long, I always feel like their negative point of view spills over and infects me too.

On the other hand, I love it when people are kind and warm when they give out hugs when they see you. Before Covid that is. 😃