In our Behind the code series, we delve into the stories of developers at Nutrient, learning more about their unique journeys and innovative work. Today, we’re spotlighting Keith Stanislaw, whose career reflects a blend of early enthusiasm, continuous learning, and practical problem-solving.

The beginnings of a hands-on career

Keith’s journey into the world of technology started at a young age, when he was 10 or 11. While his peers were getting Ataris, Keith’s father introduced him to a Texas Instrument home computer(opens in a new tab). It wasn’t the most popular choice, but it laid the foundation for Keith’s future career. “There was a cartridge that you would put in, which is a programming language called TI Extended Basic,” Keith explained. His early experiences involved typing in code to play games, which sparked his interest in programming.

His formative years continued to be marked by self-learning and hands-on experimentation. Keith didn’t just play with code; he dissected it. “I remember Steve Wozniak referenced it when the BASIC programming language turned 50,” he said, reminiscing about the book he used to learn coding. This early exposure to programming set the stage for a career that has spanned several technologies and methodologies.

Helping others with his work

Looking at his career as a whole, one key theme emerges: wanting to create good in the lives of others. Whether it was working on healthcare initiatives that benefitted foster care and social service programs, or building applications for low-income housing energy assistance programs, Keith has found value in helping others. “One of the cool things about doing all these applications is, at the end of the day it’s helping somebody,” he said. “And you don’t even know the impact of the people that the application is touching.”

Now at Nutrient, where he’s been working on Workflow Automation since 2022, he navigates the complexities of both the technology stack and team dynamics. More specifically, Keith’s role as an engineering manager involves not only maintaining and developing code but also mentoring others in a small, multifaceted team environment. “We don’t have an API team or frontend team or backend team,” he explained. Instead, Workflow Automation relies on full-stack developers, requiring each team member to be proficient in various aspects of development.

So naturally, it follows that he works hard to help them, but also encourages them to help themselves. “As an engineering manager, I think one of the most important things is to empower your team,” he said. “You need to empower them to come up with ideas. I don’t always have the right answers. I’ll have ideas, and those combined with others’ ideas might end up with a much better solution.”

Embracing flexibility and continuous learning

Keith’s approach to development underscores the need for flexibility and a proactive attitude toward learning. He noted that “being flexible and spending time staying up to speed on newer technologies, and having that drive to want to produce a really good product” is crucial for success. This mindset is essential in an industry where the only constant is change.

One of Keith’s strategies for learning new technologies is through practical application. “Instead of going out there and just reading 50 articles that I may or may not use, I take on a project,” he said. Then he sets out to learn exactly what he needs to be successful at the project in question. This approach not only helps him grasp new concepts that are useful for him, but it also directly contributes to the team’s needs.

He also values the role of AI in modern development, noting that AI aids in solving problems and “does a really good job of explaining 50 percent of the time.” Keith believes AI can complement traditional learning methods, although he still acknowledges the importance of deep, contextual understanding. “Sometimes it’s a little difficult in our environment because the code is related across projects and repositories, and it doesn’t really have the full context,” he said, which is where the need for humans is required.

Solving problems and coaching through code

A significant part of Keith’s role involves troubleshooting and improving existing code. “I like going and fixing other people’s bugs,” he said. This hands-on approach not only resolves issues but also enhances his understanding of the codebase and helps him mentor others. “It’s a good way to be productive with code reviews,” Keith said, explaining that debugging other people’s code aids in better understanding and maintaining overall code quality. In particular, he noted that because you’re in other peoples’ code and seeing their bugs, it makes it easier to identify the common mistakes they’re making and know where to focus your mentoring efforts.

Keith’s journey reflects a commitment to not just coding but also to teaching and coaching. His philosophy is that a combination of the right personal qualities often outweighs strict technical qualifications. “Sometimes, if someone has the right culture, mindset, and motivation, they’ll be the better hire a year down the road,” he asserted.

The joys — and challenges — of problem solving

Keith’s passion for problem-solving is evident from his early career experiences. He recounts an instance from high school when he used Microsoft Access to solve a significant issue for his mother’s company, creating a program that it went on to use for years after.

His involvement in early web technologies such as ASP through modern day frameworks further demonstrate his dedication. He described himself as “kind of always on that newer side of things when it’s coming out,” which necessitates him needing to be self-taught.

These days, he says the most challenging aspect of his job is having to weigh a product roadmap against unexpected issues. For example, when a high-priority issue comes in the middle of a sprint, he has to be flexible and sometimes make difficult discussions about tradeoffs.

Reflections on a career in tech

Keith’s story is one of growth, adaptability, and a deep-seated passion for technology. As he reflects on his journey, he acknowledges the role of self-motivation and hands-on experience in his professional development. “They could teach you so much in a class,” he said, “but they’re not going to teach you every single real-world example.”

His career serves as an inspiring example of how dedication, flexibility, and a proactive learning approach can lead to success in the ever-evolving field of technology, and his story reminds us that behind every line of code is a journey of passion, problem-solving, and personal growth.