Meet Andreea, former intern at XWiki, now a Junior Software Developer in the team. She was already a fan of CryptPad before joining us, so this made her even more curious to work on it from the inside.
The supportive environment, the hybrid work model, and the opportunity to handle a large and complex database drew her in even more. Add to that the open, transparent way the team builds software and makes decisions, and you've got a recipe for a truly rewarding experience. Let’s read her story below!
- Favorite artist: Roger Dean
- Best book ever read: "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov
- Dream destination: Berlin
- Quote you live by: "But what is stopping you? The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today."
- At the office or remote? Remote
Tell us about yourself briefly
My name is Andreea (or Andy), I'm 22, and I started as an intern in the CryptPad team, and I'm now a Junior Software Developer. I'm into plenty of stuff, like 3D modelling, drawing, origami, playing guitar, and of course, gaming. In love with that early 2000s design vibe. Listening to music non-stop.
🌄 The internship experience
How did you find out about XWiki and what made you choose it for an internship?
I discovered XWiki through the Stagii pe Bune program. What really attracted me to the internship was that XWiki is an open-source company, which aligns with my values. I had also used CryptPad before applying, so when I saw an opportunity to join the team behind it, I was instantly curious to learn more.
What was your internship experience like?
It was a really formative experience for me. For the first time, I had the chance to work as part of a real development team, which helped me understand how collaboration, communication, and code reviews work in a professional setting. I learned a lot — not just technically, but also about how to approach problems, manage tasks, and contribute to a shared project. It definitely gave me a better sense of what working in a software company is like.
What did you find to be the most interesting and challenging tasks?
One of the most interesting parts of the internship was working with a large and complex database, having to navigate through unfamiliar code (looking at you, OnlyOffice). These tasks really pushed my debugging skills and helped me become more comfortable diving into unknown territory to find solutions.
And what about integration into the environment? How easy, or difficult was it for you?
I had a pretty smooth time integrating into the team and getting used to the work environment. Everyone was friendly and supportive, which made it easy to feel included. The hybrid work model was also a big plus — it offered a great balance between flexibility and staying connected with the team.
Andreea and Daria, back in 2024, during XWiki's 20-year anniversary
🔎 Open-source impressions
Was open source something you had an interest in prior to XWiki?
Yes, I had an interest in open source even before I came across XWiki. I’ve always appreciated the collaborative nature of open-source projects and the opportunity they provide to learn from real-world codebases. Compared to the opacity of closed-source software, I find open source to be far more trustworthy. It’s reassuring to be able to see how software works under the hood and to know that a broader community has reviewed and contributed to it.
What's the open-source value you identify with most?
The open-source value most important to me is transparency. Being able to see how software is built and how decisions are made creates a real sense of trust. It holds both the developers and the project accountable to the community. I think transparency leads to more honest and reliable software because nothing is hidden.
⌛ Becoming an XWikier
What made you decide to stay as an employee?
I decided to stay as an employee because I really connect with the company’s values, especially around openness and collaboration. The benefits are good, and I get along great with my colleagues. It felt like the right fit, so staying on was an easy choice.
Did you feel like anything changed after this in the way you view/do things?
I already felt part of the team during my internship, so the transition was pretty smooth. On the technical side, I’ve become more involved in the bigger picture and long-term goals. Having to start following a release schedule definitely taught me more about planning ahead, prioritizing tasks, and making sure my work fits into the overall roadmap.
What it is like to be working as a Junior Software Developer in the CryptPad team at XWiki?
It’s pretty nice! I get to work on real features that later get added into production, and it's really motivating. The team is supportive and there's a good balance between guidance and independence. Overall, it’s a great environment to grow and feel like your work matters.
Andreea is a dedicated and driven member of the team. She is junior but already wrestles with more technical and complex parts of CryptPad: the OnlyOffice code base. Andreea has contributed to some of the most important releases since she joined the team, for example taking the Document and Presentation applications out of "early access" or upgrading to OnlyOffice 8. - David, CryptPad's Lead
What would you say is the most valuable lesson you learned during your time at XWiki, so far?
The most valuable lesson I had was definitely in debugging. Dealing with vague errors in a big codebase, sometimes working on foreign parts without much public documentation, taught me how to stay patient, dig into the code, and figure things out on my own. It’s made me a lot more confident technically.
If you could describe the XWiki culture in one word, what would it be?
Collaborative 
Favorite memory at XWiki, so far?
Definitely the seminar I attended during my internship. Playing pool and raiding the buffet with my colleagues was some peak bonding that I didn't expect to ever experience with work colleagues prior to joining XWiki.
