Anna Katasonova didn’t start her career writing code. Originally trained in business administration and marketing, she made a bold decision a few years ago to switch paths and retrain as a software developer. That journey eventually led her to Metroc, where she’s now helping build the core product that construction professionals rely on every day.

"I think of my work like a giant Lego project," Anna explains. "You have to modify small pieces without breaking the whole structure. It requires precision, teamwork, and the ability to embrace the unknown.

Six Integrations Later: Anna’s First Year at Metroc

Anna, who has called Finland home for over a decade, joined Metroc more than a year ago. She was drawn to the company after being contacted via LinkedIn, and the fast, no-fuss interview process felt like a good fit. "What I really appreciated was the vibe. I was looking for something less corporate, and even though it was mostly men at the time, the recruiter assured me the culture was supportive. She was right."

A visit to the office sealed the deal: "There was a bathtub and a mini golf course. That made an impression."

Since joining, Anna has played a key role in expanding Metroc's CRM capabilities — what began with just two native integrations has now grown to six. These integrations allow Metroc's customers to connect their tools more effectively, streamlining their work and delivering direct value.

What makes this even more impressive is that Anna had no prior experience with CRM integrations before Metroc. She jumped into the project early on, learned as she went, and tackled both frontend and backend challenges head-on. "I had only used CRMs as a user before," she says. "Getting to build real, functioning integrations from scratch was totally new for me — and exactly the kind of growth opportunity I was hoping for." It was a big leap, but one that paid off. "It delivers real value to customers. It's rewarding to know you're building something people actually use."

It was a steep but rewarding learning curve that let her dive deep into complex technical challenges from day one — and deliver tangible improvements used daily by Metroc's customers.

A Day in the Life

Her typical day kicks off with coffee and catching up on where she left off the day before. A 10 a.m. team standup helps sync with fellow developers, followed by focused time for coding, peer reviews, and bug fixes.

"Bug fixing is actually my favorite part. It’s like solving a mystery. You don’t always know what’s causing the issue, but when you finally crack it, it's incredibly satisfying."

She enjoys the rhythm of independent work mixed with team collaboration, and says the current structure — smaller teams, fewer meetings, and clear specs — makes it easier to stay in flow and get real work done.

Whether it’s improving a feature or responding to feedback, Anna finds joy in the details: "You feel like the hero of the day when a bug is fixed and the team can move forward."

Culture Built on Trust

Anna highlights the team’s open, knowledge-sharing culture as a major strength. "There’s no 'toxic bro' atmosphere. Everyone’s really smart, chill, and professional. I still have imposter syndrome sometimes because the dev team is so talented, but it’s inspiring."

She’s also noticed a shift in how work is managed. "When I started, things were more hectic and ad hoc. Now, we have product managers, grooming sessions, clear specs—it’s much easier to focus and do meaningful work."

Lessons in Simplicity

Anna’s biggest takeaways from the job? "Write tests. Share knowledge. And keep things simple. If your code is easy to understand, that’s more valuable than something over-engineered."

She also encourages future developers to embrace uncertainty: "You won’t always know the answer, and that’s okay. Sometimes stepping away from your screen is what helps the solution come."

Looking Ahead

What excites her most about the future? "Growing the team, launching new products, and hopefully expanding to new markets. Maybe even Portugal or Spain—a girl can dream, right?"

And if her job were a construction project? "A whimsical library, like something out of Harry Potter. A place full of discovery and quiet magic."

The Fun Stuff

Final Words

"Don’t be afraid of anything. If you're thinking of applying to Metroc – do it! We’re friendly, welcoming, and growing fast. We don't bite!"