This “Meet the Trulian” features a developer on Trulia’s communication team, Jing Nie. Jing joined Trulia in 2012 and has worked on two different teams since she started. She’s currently focused on the Trulia email experience. Read on to learn more about Jing and how she got started in tech.
What’s your role at Trulia?
I’m a developer on Trulia’s communications team. My team is in charge of sending our users email and push notifications, among other things. I specifically support product needs, such as adding a new email type, sending an existing email in two batches instead of one according to business requirements, performing A/B tests on specific email types, etc. I also work on the delivery side of emails, which is also fun.
What inspired you to get into your role?
I chose software engineering because it’s a hot profession – it’s impactful, well-paid, has a good job market, and it is fun. Who wouldn’t want all that in a career? Plus, the people are amazing. My co-workers at Trulia are really inspiring. Their passion for cutting-edge technologies, and their admirable work ethic and superb team-spirit push me to go out of my comfort zones to venture into the new and the unknown. More and more, I view my everyday work as a journey to resolve issues. It’s challenging but fun, because I get to work with so many people who are willing to accompany me and help me along the way. They inspire me to not only be a better programmer but also a better person.
What was your dream job growing up and why?
My dream job has never been a specific job, per se. It changed constantly as I grew up – train conductor, pilot, supermarket owner, restaurant owner, movie star, teacher, writer, entrepreneur, etc. They are very diverse professions, but I realize they all offer something in common: freedom (financial or spatiotemporal), inspiration, creativity, or challenge. I have had a taste/understanding of what these professions offer, more or less, from relatives, friends, and reading about them, and I have grown out of the aura around them. I’m very satisfied with my current trade, as I get to work with an extraordinarily smart, intelligent, and caring group of people who are making a great impact. I’m also happy to find that my nerdiness, bluntness, and social awkwardness are none-issues here at Trulia.
If you could have drinks with one tech luminary – dead or alive – whom would it be and why? And, what would your first question be?
Steve Jobs. His vision, passion, intensity, minimalism, and multi-dimensional personality both interests and resonates with me. I might ask him what he would do differently if he could live his life over again.
What’s the one gadget or personal tech item you cannot live without and why?
My phone. Like most of you, I use it to call people, and for everything else in my life. I live according to what is on its calendar. I check and reply to emails on it. I navigate to places with it. I follow news, chat with friends, and surf the Web on it. I occasionally read books and babysit my daughter with it, too. And, as a bonus, the camera is super convenient and of good quality – perfect for family trips.
What was the last movie you saw or book you read and what –if anything – would you change about the ending?
“The Secret Lives of Pets.” As a mom of a seven-year-old, my screening materials have been in the PG zone lately. The ending is so touching and sweet, and it was my daughter’s favorite shot of the movie, so I wouldn’t change a thing about the ending.
The last book I read is “Spring Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach.” I’m reading it as I’m getting more chances to use Spring framework and Java at work. I’d like to know more and get better.
What’s your proudest accomplishment and why?
Being a mom. I had a sort of greyish childhood, and I’m proud that I’m giving my daughter a colorful, affectionate, and memorable childhood. She’s the best thing that has ever happened to me, and has given me a chance to have another childhood. I’ve picked up skating, skiing, free-style swimming, and even a little piano with her. Being a mom has changed how I view myself, society, and success in many ways. I appreciate the new perspectives motherhood has given me, and whole-heartedly embrace the opportunities and responsibilities that come with it.
If you could master one talent or skill that you don’t have now what would it be and why?
I would ask for photographic memory. My memory has a lot of room to improve, to say the least. Often times, I surprise myself with how forgetful I am, so having a photographic memory would help me enormously.
If you could time travel, would you go into the future or past and why?
I would like to have a peek into the future. The world changes fast, and I’m very curious what the future would look like. I also wouldn’t mind too much being the one who has a “vision” of the future.
