Suhaib Qaiser

What are some of the things you do in your job?
My job duties include:

• Custom Apex and VisualForce development using Salesforce as a platform
• Analysis and design on system based on requirements
• Lead software developer on the project
• Using AngularJS framework for custom UI development in Salesforce
• Training other co-workers on AngularJS and Apex
• Participating in work activities using Agile Scrum Development model

In my office I also participate in other fun related activities like:

• Charity donations
• Weight loss competition
• Organize regular technology meetups (JavaScript and Emerging Web)

What are you most passionate about as it relates to what you do now?
I am passionate about learning new technologies and earning hands-on development experience. It’s my goal to be involved in research and innovation work and keep updating myself on new technologies that are emerging. I don’t want to work on 5-10 years old technology just to keep my job security intact. My current job gives me access to new technology all the time. At the same time, I can keep my professional and interpersonal growth at a higher rate. I also love interacting with clients and solving their technology related problems. In my office, we work directly with clients and help them find their desired solution. My office atmosphere is very friendly and we keep sharing ideas and fun related stuff throughout the day. Our office environment makes us work as a combined family where every co-worker is available to help others where possible.

I always wanted to be part of fast and energetic team and a clear career path that will take me to my desired goal in life. I see that happening in my current job where I know what obstacles I have to conquer in order to get to my destination which is being an enterprise architect for a multi-national firm.

How did you end up where you are today?
I have worked with several enterprise multi-national firms before starting my current job. I was Senior Java Consultant in CGI where I led 13 senior developers team. I have also served as Senior Software Engineer in BlackBerry and Senior Technical Consultant in Liberty Mutual Insurance in my past career. I have 10 years of professional software development experience so I enjoy being a technology guru when it comes to Java. My past career is filled with multiple achievements and working in different challenging environments. I earned many performance awards while working with my previous companies and was a key member of the team. My managers have always trusted me with the work quality and I always have delivered based on their expectations. My key areas of strength are designing frameworks and making robust architectures. I want to continue polishing my skills and want to become an enterprise architect in near future.

What are some of the neatest things you’ve been involved with in your career so far?
I have been involved with many challenging work-related activities that I am proud of and will mention a few:

• BlackBerry migration of BBM platform to iOS and Android: I was part of the project when BlackBerry migrated its services of BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) to Android and iOS platform. It was a challenging assignment for all of our team and it took us days and nights of hard work in order to achieve required target with deadlines. We went through majority of bumps on the way but made good progress in resolving all issues and serving the customer satisfaction.
• Revamping the whole Provider Web Portal in Tufts Health Plan: I was leading the team which migrated a web portal from older JSP technology to latest JSF technology. This was a real challenging project for all of us and through team collaboration and effective communication with the client. We delivered the whole project on time meeting all client quality standards and delivery deadlines.

What has Dal MACS program meant to your career? OR What are some of your fondest memories about your time in Dal’s MACS program?
Dal MACS program has been really great to groom my whole professional and academic career. Completing a master’s degree from Dalhousie as an international student is a very challenging task. International students come from different parts of the world leaving the luxury and comfort of home and taking on a big task of travelling abroad. I know many students who come to Dalhousie are scared and unaware of many scenarios that they have to go through. I was lucky to have a very supporting supervisor, Dr. Peter Bodorik, who not only guided me on how to progress on my master's project but also guided me on how to polish my communication and professional skills. He served as a mentor to me and greatly boosted my career with providing very good academic and professional career related advices. Whenever I think about my master’s program, the only thing that comes to my mind is my desk full of research papers and my first report submitted to Dr. Bodorik which was filled with red markings indicating mistakes and grammatical errors. The daily walk that I take after school in extreme weather conditions (which I never did in my past) and then reaching Sobeys to buy weekly grocery.

I also miss my days sitting at Tim Hortons in Student Union Building and watching snowfall out from the window. Attending Friday prayers @ SUB and then rushing back to attend the class in McCain Arts and Social sciences building. I did not do a lot of social and extracurricular activities because I never had time to participate in those. But I did participate in a poster presentation that was held in FCS to project our work. All the science posters that we see posted on Computer Science building walls now were actually started from that exhibition that was held in the fall. I am thrilled to say that I was part of that exhibition (APICS-2009)