Welcome back to Crypto & Coffee with Team Gemini! In this series we interview our incredible team, who are on a mission to empower the individual through crypto. In this episode we chatted with our Mobile Developer, Jerrick Warren. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea!) And learn about Jerrick’s incredible career and his path into crypto. Enjoy!
How long have you been a Gemini?
I have been a Gemini for about a year. I started November 2019.
What made you want to come and work at Gemini?
I have been a Gemini customer for about three to four years now. I made my first bitcoin purchase in 2014, and since then I have been an active member of the cryptocurrency space. I started my career in the medical field and decided to switch to engineering fairly recently. When looking for an engineering job, Gemini was attractive because of my interest in crypto and familiarity with the company, and also because Gemini is headquartered in NYC. I knew that working in a company like that would give me the opportunity to work with a very talented and diverse pool of people.
What is the most exciting part of your job?
The most exciting part of my job is working on various projects, with a diverse team, and building solutions for our mobile app. It’s amazing to receive instant feedback on our new features and how our customers interact with them. Working closely with Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss on special projects is always a feast.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their career?
The most important thing to remember when starting a new career is to always be curious. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Take lots of notes. Do your own research and when something doesn’t work out, talk and ask for help when needed. Give your teammates a chance to learn from you and learn from them. And always smile. As you improve your skills, you will build your confidence, knowledge base, and strong bond with your team.
What is something you learned from working in the crypto industry?
The crypto industry attracts some of the brightest minds from almost every industry. The ability to leverage blockchain technology in financial markets, logistics, engineering, medicine, etc. provides a community where you can learn the specific pain points of any industry and how they are trying to solve them. The crypto industry is extremely inclusive and I have learned that most people are very helpful, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
What excites you most about the future of crypto?
Crypto is open source and I think that’s the best thing about this technology. Anyone, anywhere, can build on the infrastructure and try to solve the problems they see in their community. The landscape of using cryptocurrencies in public is closer than some may think. Gemini has Gemini Pay, which you can use at many local retailers. By the way, this segment is called Crypto & Coffee, and I went to Baskin Robbins and bought my coffee this morning with Gemini dollars. It’s here, it’s non-contact, and it’s working right now.
What have you been doing to entertain yourself while you are WFH?
I love the flexibility of working from home and diving into my other interests to motivate me. I love playing music, reading, exercising, and spending time with my family and friends. Netflix party dates and doing some personal development have been very enjoyable. Gemini has an in-house channel “Work From Home Cooking” and there are some cool recipes that I really want to try!
What book would you read over and over again?
The Alchemist, by Paulo Cohelo and Human Physiology by Guyton and Hall.
What motivates you in this period?
As a mobile developer, improving people’s lives from a device they are constantly looking at all day is powerful. Gemini is built on Trust. We want our users to use this technology to improve their lives and their communities. The space is growing fast and it’s exciting to know that an entire community is waiting for your products!
What’s the proudest moment of your life?
My proudest moment of life would be the birth of my son. He is two years old and Gemini has been very supportive working with him at home. Having time to see it grow and develop has been monumental. He has a bit of Bitcoin in his piggy bank;)
Thanks for reading. Our team is always growing! If you are interested in joining us – check out our careers page!
Onwards and upwards,
Jerrick Warren, Mobile Developer