This week we interviewed Mei, one of our blockchain developers. Mei discusses what it is like to work with blockchain, how she became interested in it, and what she enjoys the most about her job.

When and how did you become interested in blockchain?

Around two years ago, when my previous company needed an e-voting system as part of one of their projects. I did some research and found that smart contracts were an effective solution that could be used for the project — and the rest is history.

What does it feel like to be a female developer in such a male-dominated field?

I don’t feel any particular difference working in an industry that is dominated mostly by men. In terms of professional skills, we all have the same ability and potential. However, there is one downside, and that is that I can’t chat about shopping or fashion during lunch time with any of the other developers.

Do you have any advice for women that are trying to make it in the blockchain scene?

Right now, I think that it is a good time to join the blockchain scene, especially in Switzerland. Switzerland has an excellent banking system, a wide access to international markets as well as strong technological infrastructure, which results in an environment that is fertile to grow a blockchain project in.

If you like to embrace new technology, I am happy to tell you that you will always face new challenges. I hope that you will enjoy these challenges as, after all, this new field needs to solve both contemporary and future problems. My last piece of advice would be to keep yourself updated with the most recent developments in the crypto-scene.

What particular category of blockchain use-cases interests you the most?

Fintech is a very interesting sub-topic of blockchain use-cases. Although cryptocurrencies have received the most public attention, I like to look towards the future. I believe that combining the idea of smart contacts with the IoT will change the mechanisms of many industries such as traditional trading, for instance.

What are you proud of, but never have the excuse to talk about?

I am proud of being a blockchain developer at BlockFactory because I really enjoy working on projects that are full of challenges, as I have witnessed through working on the Proxeus project.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

During my elementary school years, I always wanted to be an artist. I specifically wanted to make paintings so that the world would become a more beautiful place. As I gradually grew older, I wanted to become a scientist so that I could find out the truth in the world.

It would appear that up until now, I did not realize my dream of becoming an artist or a scientist. Despite this, I am happy with what I am doing. I discovered that mathematics can be used both to explore and to define the world that we live in. To me, mathematics represents the truth in the world, and computer science is one of the applications of mathematics that can help me to improve the lives of my fellow humans. It is for this specific reason that in the end I chose to become a developer. I now use mathematics to improve people’s lives, and I love it!