Interview with Rosario Azzaro - Etiqa's Full Stack Developer

Born in the picturesque Sicily, Italy, Rosario Azzaro grew up in Ivrea, a small town near Turin famous for Olivetti and its unique carnival, where he spent his formative years.

In 2018, armed with a degree in Computer Science from the University of Turin, Rosario embarked on a career that has seen him evolve into a seasoned Full Stack Developer.

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With a career spanning six years, Rosario's expertise has flourished through diverse roles, initially starting as a web front-end developer. Over time, he seamlessly transitioned to the backend, contributing his skills to design and implement APIs crucial for data retrieval. This versatility has positioned him as a valuable asset, providing unwavering support to client companies across all project phases.

Since joining Etiqa in 2019, Rosario has been a pivotal force in shaping the technological landscape of the company. In this interview, we delve into the intricacies of Rosario's role as Etiqa's Full Stack Developer, exploring his professional journey, his contributions, and gaining insights into the dynamic world of technology through his experienced lens. 

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‍Can you provide an overview of your role as a Full Stack Developer at Etiqa?

For more than five years, I have had the opportunity of working with Etiqa. It is a dynamic company that prioritizes innovation and excellence, and I am honored to have been a part of their team.

Throughout these years, I have been involved in a variety of innovative projects that have challenged me to grow both personally and professionally.

At Etiqa, I have had the opportunity to hone my full-stack development skills, which has enabled me to effectively manage both front-end and back-end tasks. With my acquired expertise, every day I ensure that every aspect of the projects I work on is developed precisely and effectively.

I am extremely proud to have contributed to Etiqa's growth and success, and I look forward to working with this amazing team for many years to come.

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Being involved in projects with a focus on Healthcare, what unique considerations or challenges do you encounter in implementing digital solutions for this sector, and how do you address them?

The implementation of digital solutions in the Healthcare industry necessitates meticulous attention to security, privacy, and compliance regulations.

To overcome these challenges, we prioritize the deployment of robust data encryption mechanisms, stringent access controls, and regular audits to ensure compliance with industry standards. Our approach enables us to meet the regulatory requirements while also providing a secure and private environment for sensitive Healthcare data.

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Given Etiqa's focus on cutting-edge technology, could you share some insights into the latest technology stack you work with and how it contributes to the development process?

At Etiqa, we are committed to delivering innovative digital solutions with advanced user experiences by utilizing cutting-edge technology.

To ensure that our solutions are of high quality, we follow a test-driven development approach.

On the frontend development side, we use the Next.js framework with the React library that allows us to create responsive and high-performing web applications with features such as server-side rendering and static page generation, providing a smooth and fast user experience.

For the backend development, we rely on NestJS with GraphQL and Mongo DB for data persistence. NestJS is a Node.js framework that provides us with a modular and scalable structure for building robust and secure APIs. GraphQL provides us with an efficient way to define and query APIs, and Mongo DB is a document-based NoSQL database that allows us to store and retrieve data.

Can you describe your approach to ensuring responsive design for multi-device compatibility, and how this aligns with Etiqa's commitment to delivering high-quality digital products?

I start by analyzing the target audience and their preferences, behaviors, and device usage patterns. Then, I work closely with the design team to create simple and functional user interfaces.

To ensure the best user experience, I follow a mobile-first approach, meaning that I prioritize designing for mobile devices before scaling up for larger screens.

I use flexible layout techniques and grid systems to create designs that adapt seamlessly to various screen sizes and resolutions. I also use fluid typography and images that scale proportionally with the viewport size, ensuring readability and visual consistency across different devices.

Moreover, I make sure that the responsive design is accessible to users with disabilities by following best practices like sufficient color contrast, and semantic HTML, and implementing keyboard navigation for accessible pages.

Finally, I test the design across multiple real devices to identify any layout issues or inconsistencies. By following these techniques, I guarantee that the digital products developed at Etiqa offer a consistent, user-friendly experience across all devices.

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In your opinion, what are the key skills that a Full Stack Developer should possess to thrive in a dynamic environment like Etiqa, and how do you continually enhance your skill set to stay ahead in the field?

In my opinion, a Full Stack Developer should possess a diverse set of technical and soft skills such as:

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1. Proficiency in front-end and back-end development with a good knowledge of relevant languages, frameworks, and tools;
2. Problem-Solving abilities;
3. Communication skills to understand project requirements and collaborate with team members;
4. Adaptability and flexibility;
5. Project management skills;
6. Continuous learning and improvement with the latest technologies, frameworks, and best practices.

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To continually enhance my skill set and stay ahead, I allocate time for self-study, and online courses which help me to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in web development. I also seek feedback from colleagues to identify areas that should be improved and reflect on my performance to set personal development goals.

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Why do you enjoy working at Etiqa?

Working at Etiqa is a truly fulfilling experience. I say this because the company's culture of innovation, collaboration, and continual learning is highlighted in everything that we do. Our projects are challenging, but with the support of my colleagues, every day feels rewarding and exciting. Etiqa fosters an environment of personal and professional growth, which allows me to continually develop and improve my skills. What I love most about Etiqa is that we work like a big family where the collective group is more important than any individual.