Michael TharringtonIn this series, we shine a spotlight 🔦 on the different DEV moderators — Trusted Members and Tag Mods — who help to make DEV a kind, helpful place. Aside from spreading good vibes and helping fellow community members, these folks also assist us with removing spam and keeping posts well organized by adding and removing tags as necessary amongst other things.
If you want to learn more about what these awesome folks do, I recommend checking out our Trusted Member and Tag Moderation guides. There is information about how to apply in both guides if you're interested in joining up as a moderator.
Introducing Fabrizio Bagalá 🙌
For January (yes, I'm a wee bit behind 😅) our featured mod of the month is Fabrizio Bagalá, an impactful moderator who joined on board just last year. With experience in #C and .NET, Fabrizio shares plenty of helpful posts on both while also helping us to keep DEV as spam-free as can be. 🧹
The Interview
Hope you enjoy the interview below!
Michael Tharrington: Can you tell us your coding origin story? Please talk about how you first got started as a developer and how you became a professional.
Fabrizio Bagalá: It all started when I was little. I still remember that feeling of wonder and curiosity when I saw my uncle working on his computer. It was as if he had a window into another world — a world of code and endless possibilities. At that time, I didn't understand much, but I knew I wanted to be part of that world.
Then, along came my faithful companion: the Commodore 64. That machine was more than a toy to me; it was a gateway to imagination and creativity. I would spend hours fiddling with it, exploring all kinds of games, and without even realizing it, I was learning the basic concepts of programming.
My passion grew and with it the realization that computer science would be my path. Thus, I followed the natural path for someone who is fascinated by this field and began studying Computer Science. Each stage of my studies offered one more piece to the great puzzle of knowledge. University taught me how to think critically and solve complex problems.
At the end of college, the first job offers came, which were recognition for all my efforts and sleepless nights spent on books or in front of the computer. Accepting that first job was a mix of emotions: excitement, a hint of anxiety, and above all, an immense sense of accomplishment.
And so began my career, a path that was never linear, but always incredibly enriching. Every project, every challenge, every success, and every failure have taught me something valuable. And, the beauty of this field is that you never stop learning, growing, and exploring new horizons.
So, here we are. From that little boy who watched ecstatically as his uncle worked on his PC, to a professional who lives his passion every day.
Michael: Looking at your DEV profile, I can see that you share a lot of posts on .NET and C#. Can you talk about why you chose to go in this direction and what you like about this combination of framework and language?
Fabrizio: My affinity for .NET and C# originated in an academic context, thanks to the suggestion of a professor who, for my dissertation, directed me toward exploring this framework and language. The in-depth study required for the thesis turned into a truly immersive experience, during which I began to understand its power, flexibility, and elegance.
The use of .NET and C# has not remained confined to the university classroom or academic context, but has become a central element and constant in my professional career. The ability of .NET to embrace and integrate different areas of software development, coupled with the clear and powerful syntax of C#, reinforced my belief that I found tools that were not only appropriate but challenging and full of potential.
Despite being full of enthusiasm and interest at the start, there was a period in my career path when I contemplated breaking away from .NET and C#. This moment of uncertainty coincided with a phase in which the framework seemed to stop offering updates and new features in step with the rapidly evolving technology industry, creating a feeling of staleness and limitation.
However, the introduction of .NET Core marked a decisive turning point, renewing my confidence and reigniting my passion. This major upgrade demonstrated a clear commitment to innovation and adaptability, reaffirming the role of .NET and C# as continuously evolving tools capable of meeting the present and future challenges of the technological world.
Michael: You first joined DEV in April of 2023 and shortly thereafter made use of our abuse report form to report a bunch of spammers to us, which triggered us to make you a mod. Can you talk about what you like about modding on DEV?
Fabrizio: My journey with DEV quickly transformed from a simple interest in technology and constructive dialogue to an active role in community management. The decision to report inappropriate behavior was not an attempt to earn a role, but a commitment to preserving the integrity of the platform I value. The DEV team's trust in recognizing my commitment and offering me the opportunity to become a moderator was a significant turning point.
In my role as moderator, I am dedicated not only to maintaining a safe and stimulating environment but also to promoting constructive discussions and supporting knowledge sharing in our community. This experience has given me the opportunity to make a real difference and to grow with a community that I consider unique. I am deeply grateful to the DEV team for giving me this opportunity and for their continued support.
Michael: What’s your proudest moment as a developer?
Fabrizio: When I think back to the highlights of my career as a developer, the most vivid and rewarding memory is undoubtedly the launch of the Tokyo Olympics website. That project was not just a professional task, but turned into an incredible journey, an experience that deeply marked me and my team.
At first, the idea of working on a project of such magnitude seemed surreal. The Olympics is a global event, followed by millions of people around the world. The responsibility of creating a website that was to be the information hub for such a prestigious event was enormous. We were faced with technical and creative challenges that required not only expertise but also innovation and dedication.
During the development process, our team worked tirelessly. There were tense moments, sleepless nights, and endless meetings to solve complex technical problems, optimize site usability, and ensure that the user experience was smooth and engaging. Each team member brought a unique contribution, bringing their own expertise to the table and constantly learning from others.
The moment of the launch was charged with excitement. When the site finally went online, the sense of accomplishment was overwhelming. Seeing the work of months materialize and run smoothly during one of the most watched events in the world was an indescribable moment of pride.
Michael: Any advice for beginner devs out there who are trying to get their first job?
Fabrizio: I firmly believe in the value of academic education, and a degree in Computer Science is, in my opinion, the best place to start. Not only does this path provide you with a solid understanding of the basic concepts you need, but it also prepares you for many complex challenges that you'll face in the field.
Once you've solidified your academic background, choose an area of interest, such as back-end, front-end, full-stack, mobile or cloud, a framework & a programming language, and delve deeper through online courses, bootcamps, and textbooks.
Customize your resume, emphasizing the most relevant skills and experience. Keep professional profiles like LinkedIn up-to-date and make sure your GitHub account reflects your best work.
Prepare thoroughly for interviews. Practice programming challenges on platforms such as LeetCode, HackerRank, or AlgoExpert and make sure you understand common algorithms and data structures. Also, be prepared to discuss your projects and decisions in depth, as employers are interested in your thought process and how you approach problems.
Don't forget the importance of continuous learning. Seek feedback on your code, resume, or anything else you're working on, and be open to continuous improvement. The technology industry evolves rapidly, so staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies is critical.
Finally, networking is crucial. Attend industry events, conferences, and workshops to meet people and learn about job opportunities.
Wrap up
Thanks so much for reading. We appreciate you taking the time to learn about another one of our amazing moderators. 💚
Stay tuned for future mod interviews in this series!
