Meet Mikkel. He's a Software Developer.
My purpose is quite simple: I help solve business challenges using computers. However, how I help solve these problems is a more complicated matter. You see, it's not just about writing code; it's about understanding the intricate web of needs, constraints, and opportunities that Novo Nordisk faces.
I act as a translator between human challenges and digital solutions, crafting algorithms and architectures that turn pain points into pathways for growth or efficiency. I don't just help build software; I help build bridges between what is and what could be, using technology as my medium. So, while my purpose may seem straightforward, the path to fulfilment is anything but simple—it's a dynamic dance of problem-solving, creativity, and endless learning.
Bold statement
Work
I joined Novo Nordisk because I was presented with a compelling optimisation challenge. The best kind, actually: conceptually simple, yet complex to solve. During an initial meeting with the product owner, an issue was laid before me, accompanied by an invitation to tackle it head-on. My response was enthusiastic, "Absolutely!" And since I joined; these are the kind of tasks I’ve worked on. Bridging tech and digital solutions to tackle specific problems.
A recent project I worked on really embodied every aspect of that. I think the best way to describe it is to imagine that you're an operator on a four-person team, tasked with executing 90 spatially distributed manual tasks in parallel. Although this might already seem complex, there's also a catch! Many of these tasks are interdependent. For instance, one task can't be completed until another is finished, and certain tasks must be handled by different team members. So, our challenge was to optimally allocate these 90 tasks among the four operators to help them maximise their efficiency. If you know Operational Research, this equates to The Multiple Traveling Salesman Problem mixed with the Job Shop Problem. To tackle this specific challenge, we're collaborating closely with operators across Novo Nordisk. But, of course, the real-world challenge is far more complex than this simplified example.
Not sure we’re with you on that
Every day, I collaborate with a diverse Scrum team composed of front-end and back-end developers, UI/UX designers, a Product Owner, Scrum Master, and some testers – to mention a few. What sets our team’s approach apart is our close engagement with the end-users. This collaboration is primarily facilitated by Novo Nordisk, as the company ensures that we have workspaces on production sites all over the world, allowing us to be close to our users. This is essential for our work, as it allows us to better understand the user’s needs and challenges, and this helps us enhance the quality and relevance of our solutions. And that is the key, something I think many developers can relate to.
Tech
In my development workflow, I primarily operate within JetBrains IDEs—Rider for C# projects and DataSpell for Python. I enhance my coding efficiency with tools like CoPilot and ReSharper. For version control, agile project management, and for deployment of our .NET services, I rely on Azure DevOps (ADO). However, I don't adhere dogmatically to this tech stack; my focus is on using the most appropriate technologies and tools to address specific challenges. You could describe my approach as "problem-centric", when it comes to software development.
I’m blue. Da ba dee da...
Career
When people hear about Novo Nordisk, they initially think about the company’s leading role in diabetes care, cutting-edge research, profit-yielding stocks, a progressive parental leave policy, and as a leading company in the pharmaceutical industry. But for me, it’s also about how they care about the employees. From day one, I have felt valued, and this translates to so many good things in both my private and professional life. We’re very much supported in any possible way. Professionally, I get the time and freedom to explore and master the software and technologies I need to solve the challenges I face.
My career path is a good example of this.
Life
Outside work, I genuinely enjoy immersing myself in Kaggle Challenges. Kaggle is a platform for predictive modelling and analytics competitions. It allows data scientists and enthusiasts from all over the world to come together, work on real-world problems, and showcase their skills. Not only do these challenges provide a platform for learning and skill enhancement, but they also offer opportunities to collaborate with like-minded individuals and even win prizes. If you're into data science or just curious about it, I highly recommend checking it out!