Deepanjan Bhattacharyya recently joined Rose to talk about his recent work on Gyro and Ops Desk and share about his passion for photography.
You started at Brightspot after graduating with your Master's degree in computer science from UMBC in 2018. What about Brightspot appealed most to you?
When I was preparing to graduate, I met Todd Loisel and Parker Ramsdell at the career fair and they told me about Brightspot. I was really intrigued by the platform, and more so by Todd's overview of his operation's day-to-day activities. This initial conversation got me interested in the company and the opportunity to join full time.
Since starting at Brightspot, you have worked as a software engineer on the Gyro team. Can you tell me more about the work you've done?
When I started at Brightspot, Gyro was nowhere on the scene. At that time, we were using a tool called Beam. My first task was to work with Brightspot CTO Jeremy Collins to create its replacement, Gyro, which I still manage today. Alongside that, I worked on Ops Desk last year and am currently assigned to work on a new way to deploy Brightspot faster, which I'm really excited about!
What inspired you to become a software engineer?
I have always been curious about computers. My sister, who is seven years older, started studying computer science and I picked it up from her. When I was in sixth grade, I asked her to teach me the C programming language and have grown from there. I started learning programming early in my life and here I am now as a software engineer.
How have you grown as a developer during your time at Brightspot?
Working with Jeremy has had a big impact on me. I've grown exponentially under him. I've learned how to think architecturally, where I'm thinking beyond the problem in front of me and instead trying to solve problems before they even arise. This was a way of thinking that I did not have previously and has been the most valuable thing I've learned over the past several years.
What traits are most important to making you successful at your job?
Curiosity, having a logical thought process, and being an adamant problem solver. As a software engineer, you fail often, so you have to keep at it in order to succeed. I don't like quitting and am always open to try new techniques to solve a problem.
Besides the people, what is your favorite part about working at Brightspot?
Our suite at Audi Field! Before the pandemic, I really enjoyed going to games. I am a very big soccer fan. Chelsea is my favorite team and Wayne Rooney is my favorite player. The first D.C. United game I went to, I got to see Rooney play in person and thought to myself, "Now I can die in peace!"
I heard that you are an outstanding photographer! How did you first get interested in photography?
I have been taking pictures since I was a kid. My father and my sister are both photographers, so I guess I picked it up from them. Over time, I started tinkering more and more with it, and in the last few years, I've grown a lot as a photographer. It helps me take my mind off of things.
Do you have a favorite photograph that you've taken? Is there a place in the future that you're most excited to photograph?
My favorite place to take pictures is West Virginia. There is a place called Spruce Knob that I love to visit. I am really into night photography, particularly taking pictures of the Milky Way. My dream destination is Norway. I'd love to shoot a waterfall with the Milky Way on top of it and the aurora borealis in the background.
What has been a silver lining of the pandemic for you?
I have gotten more time to myself and been able to go on solo trips and hikes to take pictures. That time alone has helped me grow as a person.
What the last movie you saw? Would you recommend it?
I recently re-started watching Star Wars! As a big Star Wars fan, I would definitely recommend it to people.
