Saurabh Taware's career story

Lead Developer Saurabh Taware works as a developer for life insurance services. Though the peculiarities of the banking and insurance sector have required a learning process, Saurabh appreciates the rewarding collaboration with his project team and praises OP's motivating atmosphere.

Saurabh Taware has worked at OP since January 2024 as a developer for the insurance business. Born in India, Saurabh has worked with different companies involving international communities. He remembers very clearly when he first fell in love with information technology.  

– As a child, I was playing a game with a friend against a computer. I wondered how the computer can be better than a person, even though it's made by a person. I wanted to understand it better, so I started learning about information technology. 

After his basic studies, Taware felt it was natural to apply to study information technology. After finishing his Bachelor's degree, he worked at the Indian branch of a German IT company until he got a push to move to the other side of the planet, thanks to his spouse. 

– My wife moved to Tampere to finalise the research for her doctoral dissertation in 2017. I came to Finland in 2019. I remember my first thought being 'where is everyone?' The culture shock was huge: few people, dark winters and a difficult language to make new friends with. 

Understanding customers’ needs makes work more meaningful 

Saurabh built up his experience by working as a developer in various Finnish companies. Gradually, he also started to understand the culture. In late 2023, an interesting career prospect appeared for him, and in January 2024, Taware started working at OP. He is impressed with how work is done at the company. 

– My organization and project are separate entities. I think that's unique. I get support for my work as a developer from the colleagues in my organisation while also learning about OP's business through my project team. What I find particularly great is the transparency: business decisions are made around the same table as technical decisions, which is quite rare in my experience.

Open collaboration between business and development teams also makes the work more meaningful. 

– In my work, the most important thing for me is to create things that benefit customers. This is the first time that I'm collaborating with business specialists who know the customers and how they act and think. Previously, I haven't understood the reasoning behind solutions, which made my work feel mechanical. Now my work feels more meaningful. 

Enthusiasm for learning fuels professional development

Saurabh's work includes a lot of integrating. A developer's work requires not only strong IT expertise but also strict time management and good communication skills.  

– People are busy and have different areas of expertise. As a developer, you have to be able to communicate technical terms so that everyone understands what you're talking about. 

Saurabh considers the desire for continuous development one of the key properties of the IT sector.  

– Enthusiasm for learning and development is very important, especially at OP, where a lot is invested in competence development. For example, I've been able to complete Azure certification training as part of my work. That's a great opportunity. At OP, you can also develop your skills through cloud transformation training courses, the Tech Academy and more, and I can recommend these learning opportunities to everyone. Developing your professional skills ensures you're prepared for the future. 

"It feels good to see that my work is helping the product succeed"

As a recent accomplishment, Saurabh mentions a recent application launch that has been received very well.  

– When the project started, not much was expected of me, as I'd just joined the company. But I was able to contribute a lot, which I'm very proud of. I offered new perspectives for the development process and raised a few potential issues, which was appreciated. Recently, I took up a new role as Lead Developer after working as Senior Developer for eight months. It feels good to step up and see that my work is helping the product succeed. 

Saurabh has a clear aim at work. 

– My goal is to reach the position of Expert Developer at OP Financial Group. An Expert Developer's work includes software architect duties, where you have the opportunity to participate in processes such as purchasing decisions related to technology. OP's culture related to technology is bold, so it's exciting to be part of creating new ways of working.

 "OP has good vibes"  

Saurabh has made an effort to integrate into Finnish society and find new friends. He is studying Finnish and uses it whenever possible. The peculiarities of the banking and insurance sector are gradually becoming familiar to him, and he has greatly enjoyed his time at OP. The developer feels a sense of being at home with the work community.  

 – The tools are good, and the Vallila office environment is really cozy. I get to meet top experts from different fields, which is amazing. People are open, encouraging, trustworthy, and curious. There is a healthy work life balance, overall – OP has a good vibe.