Hello, World!
Hello, World!
I'm excited to launch this blog to share my experiences and ideas on the topics that fascinate me, including software development, technology, finance, and side projects.
About Me
My name is Marcos Stival, a 28-year-old software developer based in Madrid. Throughout my career, I've accumulated experiences and knowledge that I want to share on this blog.
My Beginnings
My fascination with computers dates back to my childhood. I was born in Goiânia, a rural city in central Brazil, very close to the capital, Brasilia. From a very young age, I was exposed to computers thanks to a relative who had an internet cafe. These places were very popular at the time because not everyone could have a computer at home. I spent a lot of time in front of computers; when I wasn't playing games, I was exploring all their functions. For a child my age, everything was fascinating, even painting with Paint.
At the age of seven, my family and I moved to Madrid in search of better opportunities. My curiosity about the inner workings of computers led me to explore software development, starting with tutorials on YouTube and then with a video game development course using Unity and C#. The thrill of creating something interactive from scratch became my main motivation to keep learning about software development.
Professional Career: A Journey of Learning and Growth
In 2015, I began my official studies at U-TAD, where I took a Higher Degree Course in Multiplatform Application Development. During the summer of 2016, I got my first professional experience at a small consultancy firm outside of Madrid. However, I didn't last long in that position because I wasn't going to have vacation time and I wanted to enjoy my last summer as a student before entering the workforce.
In 2017, I finished my Higher Degree and started working at the company where I had done my internship, a small startup called Appgree. Initially, my work focused on Android development using Java and Android Studio, but then I also contributed to the backend with Java and Spring Boot. Over time, I expanded my experience to include frontend technologies such as JavaScript and frameworks like Next.js, thus acquiring a more complete view of web development.
After my time at Appgree, I started working at BBVA bank, participating in a Digital Transformation project focused on capturing business clients through the online channel. During the first stage, I focused exclusively on frontend development using JavaScript and PolymerJS. However, in the last phase of the project, I also participated in the development of backend services using Java and Spring Boot. This experience allowed me to acquire a comprehensive understanding of both frontend and backend development.
Later, I moved on to work for Sngular, a well-known Spanish consultancy firm, where the main client was Banco Santander. Although I wasn't initially enthusiastic about working for a client and preferred my own projects, this experience turned out to be one of the most rewarding of my career. The technological challenge of the project, along with my colleagues, the company, and Santander's impressive Ciudad Financiera, left a great memory on me. After a year and a half as an external consultant, I was internalized as a Santander employee due to my merits, where I remained for another year and a half.
Currently, I am part of the team at Swiss Re, one of the world's leading reinsurers. I work as a developer in the cybersecurity area, focusing on privileged access management. Although the project is not directly related to the business side, our application supports all the internal areas and services of the company. This role has allowed me to learn in depth about identity and access management (IAM) and cybersecurity in the company in general, which makes my day-to-day work interesting and challenging.
Technical Interests: Deepening Backend and Exploring Frontend
My main technical interests lie in the field of backend development, particularly in Java and Spring Boot. I enjoy tackling complex problems and optimizing system performance. I am passionate about learning about software design, architecture, and cloud development, which allows me to stay up-to-date with the best practices and emerging technologies in the field.
On the frontend side, I have worked with JavaScript and Next.js to create dynamic and responsive user interfaces. Although it is not my main focus, I like to stay up-to-date with frontend trends and technologies, as I strongly believe that having full-stack development skills, from frontend to backend to infrastructure, will help me achieve one of my main goals: to develop one or several applications that can generate income.
The Future of This Blog
Through this blog, I aim to create a space where I can share ideas, tutorials, and experiences related to software development. Whether you are an experienced developer or just taking your first steps