Hacking My Way to Growth: My HackerRank Journey
My HackerRank journey began with a six-month remote internship 3.5 years ago. From creating technical challenges to streamlining processes, every step was an opportunity to learn, innovate, and grow both personally and professionally. Beyond enhancing my technical skills, this opportunity allowed me to contribute to impactful projects and paved the way for my transition into a full-time role.
Growing with HackerRank
When I look back at where I started and where I stand today, it’s been an incredible journey filled with continuous learning. Starting small, managing a few projects, and gradually transitioning to driving impactful cross-functional initiatives, I’ve learned something new every single day. And I’m deeply grateful to everyone around me for the opportunities and guidance that shaped my growth.
Freedom to Experiment
One of the most remarkable aspects of my experience has been the freedom to share opinions without fear. The team’s culture encourages experimentation, allowing me to test new ideas, improve existing processes, and build knowledge from the ground up. This has played a crucial role in nurturing innovation and deepening my foundational understanding.
The Mantra That Drives Me
From the very beginning, I followed a simple mantra: pick a couple of new projects every quarter while refining the existing ones. This zeal to try something new has been my driving force. Starting as a Project Manager I, I focused on managing key projects. With time, as I transitioned to PM II, the scope of my responsibilities expanded, involving collaboration with the engineering team, cross-functional collaboration, and quarterly planning. This approach enabled me to explore various aspects of my role, expanding my understanding and revealing new opportunities for learning and growth.
Key Takeaways from Project Management
Here are some of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a Project Manager that still continue to guide me every day:
- Prioritize Research and Innovation
Spending time upfront on thorough research helps identify risks early and fuels creativity in project planning. - Data-Driven Decisions
Leveraging data for every important aspect of a project ensures efficiency and precision. - Build Strong Relationships
Collaboration is at the heart of successful project management. Trust and rapport with the team lead to incredible outcomes. - Be Involved at Every Stage
Active involvement throughout the project lifecycle is key to ensuring clarity and alignment. - No Trade-Off for Quality: Prioritize delivering high-quality outcomes, ensuring that speed never compromises standards.
- Overplan to Account for Delays
Working with freelancers adds flexibility but also risks. I’ve learned to over-plan; if the deadline is three months, I aim to finish in two. This buffer allows room for unforeseen issues and ensures smoother project delivery. - Efficiently Track Project Progress: Maintain clear visibility into every stage of the project to ensure timelines are met without surprises.
Home Away from Home
HackerRank is more than just a workplace — it’s home to me. The work environment here is nothing short of inspiring — a positive space where every individual is ready to lend a hand. It’s not just about the projects but the incredible growth opportunities and the supportive culture that shape your professional journey.
What makes this place truly special are the company values that resonate deeply with everything we do. “Play for the front of your jersey” and “Truly, madly, deeply care” are my personal favorites, as they perfectly align with how I approach my work every day.
Beyond work, the culture here celebrates achievements, both big and small. Take our work anniversaries, or as we call them, Hackerversaries (Isn’t this super cute?) — these are celebrated by sharing achievements and contributions across company channels and made extra special with a thoughtful touch, such as a cake sent to wherever you are or a delightful office celebration.
The celebrations don’t stop at professional milestones; personal achievements, like birthdays or other significant events, are equally cherished. These thoughtful gestures foster a genuine sense of belonging, making this place feel like so much more than just a workplace.
The journey at HackerRank has been an ongoing process of discovery and development. It’s been an incredible learning curve that continues to inspire me every single day — more than I could have imagined. The culture of collaboration, freedom to experiment, and support at every step have allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. Every project, challenge, and interaction has refined my problem-solving skills and teamwork approach, shaping me into the professional I am today.
