Meet Katie Sjobeck – Mobile Software Team

At Punch Through, we encourage everyone to proudly be themselves and want you to know the people behind the work that we’re so proud of. That’s why we launched our “Meet the Team” series, where we introduce you to one of our team members each month. 

Meet Katie Sjobeck, one of our newest associate mobile engineers, who is responsible for developing apps on Android devices. When not at work, you can find Katie spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys video games (Nintendo Switch being her current platform of choice) and ballroom dancing.

What were you doing before working at Punch Through?

Before working at Punch Through, you’d find me at the University of Minnesota – Duluth (UMD), pursuing a degree in computer science. I’m still there, in fact. But I’ll be graduating in May of 2024, and my plan is to continue down this current career path. Between classes and studying, I did have time to work a couple of on-campus jobs, one of which was managing AV equipment at the university. The other was grading papers for one of the math professors.

What is your favorite thing about Punch Through culture?

One of my favorite things about Punch Through culture is the emphasis on people. Since the very first day of joining the team, it’s been easy to see how much everyone looks out for one another and supports one another. And then the simple fact that Punch Through makes sure everyone is working on something that they genuinely enjoy just reinforces that “people-first” approach to the culture of the organization.

Tell me a story about your most memorable moment while working at Punch Through

My most memorable moment would have to be when I was changing projects for the very first time. I was joining a new team and had never worked on an external project before. First of all, everyone was so welcoming, which certainly helped. Then, time was given for me to acclimate to the new work. I was eased into the project and given all the resources I needed to succeed – so much so that I was making full contributions soon into this new undertaking. I definitely gained a lot of confidence from that experience. 

What cool or rewarding things do you get to do on a regular basis?

The work itself is very rewarding – and for many reasons. The work we do, for one, has a positive impact on people’s lives. We get a chance to develop actual apps for connected devices within the medical industry. That’s very rewarding. We also are trying to solve a problem with the work we do, and when you arrive at a solution, that, too, is very cool and rewarding. Plus, I get to work with professional developers on these projects, which gives me another opportunity to learn and grow within my career.  

What is the most valuable part of your work to you on a personal level?

On a personal level, the most valuable part of my work, so far, has been the personal development opportunities. Again, you’re always learning something new and putting what you’ve learned to the test and sharing it with others. I’m actually contributing to projects, working on code, and even interacting with clients. That’s been really valuable.

What is different about Punch Through versus other places you have worked?

The biggest difference about Punch Through is how serious the company is about its culture. Workplace culture matters, and you can see it in everything we do. You have all of these opportunities to get to know everyone and grow together as a team. Lunches, trips, projects, activities, and even just interactions within the office highlight how much culture matters here.