Having been with Cloud Employee for three years, Mckein has proved to be an experienced iOS developer having previously developed several mobile apps. He continues to improve his skill and knowledge in iOS while expanding his knowledge by exploring other platforms -- his latest being the Firebase platform. Know more about this eager learner in the interview below.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself (who are you, where are you from, what drives and motivates you, etc.)?

I’m John McKein Tayag. My friends call me Mckein. I grew up in the province of Tarlac and our way of living centred mostly on farming and agriculture. Despite our rural way of living, I had a very strong interest in technology that’s why when I went to college at Saint Louis University in Baguio, I took Information Technology. My drive comes from my passion for coding and my main motivation is my son who is absolutely adorable.

When and how did you get started on programming?

I started when I was in high school at Don Bosco Technical Institute in Tarlac where we had a computer subject that taught us the basics of HTML. That’s where I started programming.

What is the programming language and/or framework of your choice? Why?

Right now, it is iOS development. I think mobile development is still one of the current trends and I believe it will continue to drive the future.

Can you share some projects you’ve done? Which of them are you most proud of and why?

Wow. I’ve done a lot of iOS projects before but I think the one I am most proud is an app that I have developed together with my wife. It was a government-sponsored competition in which we won first prize in the regional finals. :) The app is basically an emergency rescue navigation app (ERNA). The concept applies similarly with 911. I think that is the one I am most proud of because it opened a lot of opportunities for me.

In your work experience as a developer, what’s a frequently overlooked skill that proved surprisingly useful?

Based on my experience, I think it’s documentation. Documenting your own work requires a lot of discipline and a whole lot of patience but it’s a very good practice. It shows the developer’s dedication to his work, and at the same time, it is a very useful tool throughout the development process.

What projects/technologies do you enjoy working on in your spare time? 

Anything related to mobile development and current trends. Right now, I’m doing a personal application that makes use of the Firebase platform.

Walk us through your day. What’s a typical day like for you as a developer?

When I get to the office, the first thing I do is check my email. I then continue with my tasks, attend scrum meetings, and discuss with my colleagues, among many other tasks.

What’s your favourite part of being a developer?

Learning something new every day. Right now, I am learning how to use the Firebase platform.

Tech is an industry where the trends and requirements change quickly. How do you keep your skills up to date?

After work or during my spare time on weekends, I attend an online class. There are a lot of available resources online that you can enrol in. I recently finished an online class on User Experience.

What made you decide to work at Cloud Employee?

I think the main reason is the opportunities. When it comes to projects, there is always something new.

What’s it like working at Cloud Employee so far?

I’ve been with Cloud Employee for three years now. I like the flexibility of the working hours and I’m also able to interact with talented people who I learn so much from.

Bonus question:

What would be your dream developer set-up, in terms of hardware and software? / What do you use to get the job done?

An up-to-date Macbook Pro, an extra monitor, and testing devices.

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