Anand Raja Discusses His Career As a Software Engineer

Anand Raja is a Solutions Engineer from Ann Arbor, Michigan.

As an ambitious student, Anand studied pre-law at the University of Michigan, and has been recognized as the only freshman in history to be accepted into a U.S. Congressional internship which he completed under the supervision of Congressman Sander Levin. Despite his ongoing interest in the legal field, Anand decided to pursue a degree in the technology space. Anand attended M.G.R University, where he obtained his bachelor’s of science degree before completing his MBA in 2011 at the University of California-Irvine.

Anand brings over 25 years of business experience spanning banking, healthcare and technology. He has worked and consulted for brands such as Flagstar Bank, Costco, Warner Brothers and Invensys. He is a certified Java Programmer and certified in MCSD, MCSE, and MCDBA.

Anand is also a fitness enthusiast and does his best to live a balanced lifestyle. He has been featured on various fitness websites and enjoys going to the gym on a regular basis. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family.

What do you currently do at your company?

As a Software Executive I have acquired the best certifications. As you may know, software drives the technology industry. I work alongside teams in various departments to create applications that resolve issues.

What is a long-term goal in your career?

My long-term goal is to create software to benefit society. I am very motivated by what it is that I do and as an engineer I am constantly learning. Technology is a driving force of change and I want to somehow contribute to the evolution of the industry.

What advice would you give to others aspiring to do software programming?

I would say don’t spend time learning the tricks of the trade. Learn the trade. Always take the time to be a better version of yourself. But most importantly, don’t over think certain projects. You learn from experience and you will most definitely make errors throughout the course of your career. Contribute to open source projects, develop your own tools, and take the time to learn the fundamentals.

What are your favorite things to do outside of work?

I am an avid fitness enthusiast so physical activity is an essential component of my daily routine. I will often wake up early and hit the gym before work. I find that movement in the morning really helps me be productive throughout the day. Because health is a number one priority of mine, I also like to cook a lot for my family. I try to prepare healthy meals as I want to teach my daughter the importance of looking after your health.

Most recently I have also begun writing in my spare time. I have always wanted to be an author and I was inspired by the stories that my grandmother would share with me growing up.

Who has been a role model to you and why?

My mother because she has always been true to helping others. I consider myself a family man, and I do my best to spend as much time with my loved ones as possible

What is one piece of advice you have never forgotten?

Advice is like medicine, use advice sparingly. While it can definitely be beneficial to accept some educated advice from experienced industry professionals, it is also important to trust your own better judgment.

What does success look like to you?

Happiness and being fulfilled in my current role. When I was younger my primary motivation for my career choices was often financial. However, as I have gained more experience I learnt that it’s vital to feel fulfilled in my role. I want to make a positive contribution to society and I believe that I will continue to do so.

How do you maintain a solid work-life balance?

By staying focused on what is important.

What keys to being productive can you share?

Time management is essential to productivity but so is taking the necessary breaks. I do my best to avoid stress and burnout by not taking on more than I can handle.

What is one piece of advice you would like to leave for our readers?

Do good for others and everything will work out right.