1. Who are you?
I’m Doğukan Karataş, I'm 26 years old, and I work at Dlubal Software for over a year.
2. What education do you have and how did you come to Dlubal Software?
I have a bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from Istanbul, Turkey. After that, I studied Earthquake and Structural Engineering as my master’s degree. I’m interested in programming since the beginning of my studies. Since I was working on complex structural dynamic problems in my educational life, applying innovative programming solutions to engineering problems was always my passion. I was already developing some tools for civil engineers, and there was a job at Dlubal Software with the skills that I have. I thought that suits me perfectly, so I applied, and get hired.
3. What are your tasks?
I work with two separate teams at the same time. I’m a product developer at one team that is working on Web Services and the API technology. We’re creating frameworks and programmable interfaces for engineers, and this team is also responsible for cloud solutions as well as the links with other software programs. In my second team, we’re testing the end product, and I'm also in contact with the customers who need technical support.
4. What is important in your job?
For me personally, it is important to catch up with the latest technologies, both in the construction and the software development industries. My main responsibility is to create easy solutions for civil engineers by using the latest innovations in the information technologies.
5. What are you looking forward to when you come into work in the morning?
The best part of our job is, that there are always new ideas to discuss every day. We’re trying to be open-minded and creative to find new solutions. Our young team has always something to say about each case.
6. What excites you about the construction or structural engineering in general?
As a civil engineer, I think it’s important to connect all participants in the construction industry - architects, producers, and so on - using the power of software solutions. It always makes me excited that we can create every single detail of complex structures with the power of cooperation.
7. What is the best experience so far?
There are a lot of designers/engineers out there, who are using our software, and every one of them needs different workflows. My best experience is not just a single moment, but from time to time, I discover specialized algorithms for customers and get positive feedback. These feedbacks make me feel that I contribute positively to someone’s work today.
8. What is your hobby? How can it be combined with your job?
I’m into music production, creating beats and tracks. That keeps me clear and refreshed. The most important thing is to be rational about the work-life balance. Thanks to our flexible working time policy, it is easy to plan my week.
9. What advice would you give to young civil engineers and graduates for the future?
It is important to keep in mind that the construction and structural engineering are not independent of other industries. To stay up to date, I think every engineer should follow the latest updates, both in the academic and the industrial area. Due to the globalization process of the information, you can find your inspiration from any point in the world.
10. What is your favorite building?
I’m not sure if we can count it as a building, but my favorite is the Pergamon Altar. It’s now inside a museum in Berlin and there is also the 3D printed reconstruction of it. It fascinates me, because it connects today’s technology with the 2000-year-old historical art pieces, which reminds me the journey of the humankind.