“I like my days fast and busy,” says Israr Khan, a Senior Systems Architect who joined Rulesware in October of 2014.

“When I first joined Rulesware, I was immediately really impressed with the pace. Everyone on the team, from junior developers to senior management, was so helpful. People reached out to me to help get me up and running; everything from introducing me to the systems to booking my flights, helping with security access and more. In a larger company things like that would take ages. I thought to myself wow, here is a group of very friendly, very smart very efficient people—I’m so happy to be part of this team. Within my first week I was working on stories and helping with the development plans.”

Israr’s first project, a job with a healthcare client in Portland Oregon, recently wrapped up in March.  He says that the project was a great introduction to working within teams at the company, and one of the things that stuck out to him most was how intentional Rulesware is in developing its employees.

“Everyone has an assigned coach or mentor to work with regularly. And you also serve as a coach or mentor for someone under you. Together my mentor and I put together my development plan and came up with some clear goals, two per quarter. I’m so impressed with this program, particularly because employees are the ones driving their own development. It’s empowering.”

Israr says that he’s keen to continue to grow his career at Rulesware, and that his next goal is to achieve a promotion to Lead Systems Architect. He says that his manager and the LSA he is currently working with are aware of his goals, and have consulted with his mentor to recommend online and onsite training, and to ensure he’s getting great exposure on the job. “In my eight year career with other organizations I’ve never seen this kind of approach. I think that the way Rulesware empowers their employees is really special. I know for me it’s helped me to grow, be satisfied and motivated and feel a real sense of loyalty.”

Israr also points out that the goals agreed on with his coach don’t necessarily need to be technical.

“I work in a technical role, but if for example I wanted to work on presentation skills that could be one of my goals. Using that as an example maybe my manager would give me an opportunity to present in a Town Hall and I could then get feedback from colleagues, my coach and my manage abut where I could improve.”

And in addition to feeling that he’s getting great career guidance, Israr says it’s rewarding to also provide that guidance to junior developers he is helping to mentor.

“It’s a great experience for me to be a mentor too. It’s a universal truth you learn more when you teach someone else, and as I work with my coachee I understand the areas I need to work on as well.”

Looking to the future, Israr reflects that he’s excited to continue to grow and gain experience.

“I love that each project is so different and there’s such an opportunity for me to learn about new business domains. My last project was in healthcare, but the next could be in the banking or automobile industry, or who knows—the sky is the limit. And even though I just finished a project and I’m waiting for my next, I’m never bored. For example today I’m working with my coach, with my coachee, involved in some training, in touch with my team—we even ping each other just to joke around and be social—and I’m talking to you. There’s really never a dull moment at Rulesware. We’re growing so fast and I see a lot of opportunities to give my best. I feel lucky to be here.”