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24/7 A day in the life of a Valcon employee | Marko Ćaleta

My day usually begins around 6:30 AM. I’m not someone who needs a complicated routine to get going, just a quiet start and a bowl of oatmeal to fuel the morning. I’m a hybrid worker, but I tend to prefer working from home. I live a bit outside Split, Croatia, and when the traffic is…

My day usually begins around 6:30 AM. I’m not someone who needs a complicated routine to get going, just a quiet start and a bowl of oatmeal to fuel the morning.

I’m a hybrid worker, but I tend to prefer working from home. I live a bit outside Split, Croatia, and when the traffic is bad, the commute can stretch from 15 minutes to well over an hour. That said, I still enjoy coming into the office now and then – it’s great for catching up with colleagues, bouncing ideas around and staying connected with the wider team.

My workday kicks off with a look through my emails and any tasks left over from the previous day. At 10 AM, we have our daily stand-up, a chance to sync with the team and set priorities. I’m currently working as a Mendix developer for an insurance client operating across the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. My role is a blend of development and consultancy, and lately it’s leaning more towards the consultancy side. I spend more than 50% of my time advising clients on solutions, identifying areas for improvement and then implementing those changes if they’re happy to proceed.

Over the past year, my role has shifted quite a bit. I’m now far more involved in direct communication with the client and have taken on more responsibility during meetings and workshops. I’m also developing a major new feature within their application, so my days are a mix of focused development work and collaborative problem-solving. Along the way, I’ve been sharpening my skills as both a consultant and a Scrum Master, two areas I’ve grown into naturally over time.

When working from the office, lunchtime is usually a relaxed break with colleagues, maybe having a coffee before getting back to it. I typically wrap up around 4 PM and shift into family mode. Evenings are for winding down, spending time with loved ones, and occasionally jumping into my motorsport simulator at home – my favourite hobby. I also love heading out for a go-kart session when I get the chance.

On weekends, I’m often working in the garden or tackling jobs around the house. I enjoy staying active and doing something with my hands after a week in front of the screen.

As for the future, I really enjoy the balance I have right now; the combination of consultancy and development is ideal for me. That said, who knows where things will go? I’m always open to learning and growing.

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