Inside David Du’s leap from university to developer life at Isabel

David didn’t discover Isabel through a job fair or a recruiter. His introduction was much closer to home: his brother, Jonathan, who also works for Isabel as a developer. “He always spoke positively about the people and the level of expertise,” David explains. “So when I finished my master’s in computer science and started looking for a job, it felt natural to apply.”  That personal recommendation set the tone for what would become a smooth and welcoming recruitment experience. 

A recruitment process that felt human 

David describes the hiring process as “very easy and very fast.” After his brother submitted an internal referral, he was contacted within days. 

His interviews focused first on getting to know Isabel the culture, the work environment, the practicalities, before moving into soft skill and technical assessments. He recalls a mix of conversations, logic-based questions, and finally a live coding exercise with a team lead. 

“It wasn’t stressful,” he says. “It felt like they wanted to understand how I think, not just what I know.” 

A soft landing into the professional world 

Like many graduates, David quickly discovered that the transition from university to a real development team is a big shift. 

“At university, projects are either solo or with friends. You have a lot of freedom, but not much structure,” he explains. “Here, teamwork, documentation, and communication matter much more. It took some getting used to.” 

To help him ease into this new environment, David was paired with a buddy, Igor, Software Developer at that time, who guided him through his first weeks. Instead of being thrown directly into production code, he started with a small standalone project designed to help him learn the team’s way of working. 

“It was a soft landing,” he notes. “I could build confidence without the fear of breaking anything.” 

Within two to three weeks, he began contributing to real projects, first paired with another developer, and later taking on more responsibility independently. 

Support that makes a difference 

One theme comes up repeatedly when David talks about his experience: support. 

Whether it’s his teammates, his manager Giorgio, or colleagues from other departments, he never feels alone when facing a challenge. 

“If I’m stuck, someone always helps,” he says. “Even when I worked on a project during a period when several people were on vacation, Giorgio stepped in. He used to be a developer, so he understands the technical side too.” 

Daily standups, open communication, and a culture of collaboration make it easy for him to ask questions. Something he admits he struggled with at first. 

“Looking back, I realise it’s normal not to know everything at the start. There are no stupid questions here.” 

Learning beyond code 

Technical growth is important, but David also recognises the value of developing soft skills, which he feels universities don’t always prepare students for. 

“Coding is only one part of the job,” he says. “Communication, presenting your work, explaining your decisions are just as important.” 

He has already followed a Kubernetes training offered by Isabel, and he expects more opportunities to develop soft skills as he continues to grow. 

A culture that feels right 

When asked about the culture at Isabel, David doesn’t hesitate: “In my team, we work well together, and we laugh together. It’s a good vibe.” 

He appreciates the balance between professionalism and approachability, and the openness to collaboration across teams, even with departments like Customer Care when working on shared tools. 

The hybrid work rhythm also suits him well, giving him both focus time and opportunities to connect with colleagues. 

Advice for other young graduates and looking ahead

David’s message to new graduates considering Isabel is simple: “I only have good things to say. It’s a great place to learn, to grow, and to feel supported.” His journey shows that with the right environment, the transition from student to confident professional doesn’t have to be overwhelming. 

David recently had his check-in review, where he received positive feedback on his progress. It’s clear he’s on a promising path, and he’s excited for what comes next. “I’m happy here,” he says. “I feel like I’m doing meaningful work, and I’m surrounded by people who help me become better.”