From Physics to Full‑Stack: How Julia Toifl (SQUER) turned consulting, curiosity, and grit into an all‑round developer career

Our editorial take on “Julia Toifl, Senior Full Stack Engineer bei SQUER”

In “Julia Toifl, Senior Full Stack Engineer bei SQUER,” Julia Toifl shares how a background in technical physics became the springboard for a career in software development. Watching her DevStory, we at DevJobs.at saw a powerful pattern: you don’t need a linear tech origin to succeed in engineering. What you do need are transferable problem‑solving skills, a bias for building, and the humility to keep practicing.

Julia studied technical physics at TU Wien (Bachelor and Master), specializing in solid‑state physics. During her Master, she realized academic life wasn’t for her. She wanted “to see more of the world and how real companies work,” so she stepped—jokingly—“to the dark side”: IT consulting. That path exposed her to multiple industries and abstraction levels, from strategy to architecture analysis to hands‑on delivery. Along the way she discovered what motivates her most: “bringing things onto the ground,” i.e., implementation.

Now as a Full Stack Engineer with a strong backend focus at SQUER, she and her team go far beyond coding. They analyze business needs, handle requirements, test, and operate their software. The through‑line is accountability end‑to‑end—and a lot of communication. Culture matters, too: flat hierarchies, an easy rapport with customers, and the simple joy of going to the office on Monday because you like the people and the work.

Her advice to aspiring developers is disarmingly direct: practice relentlessly, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and stretch past your comfort zone—even if that means stepping in front of a camera when you don’t feel like it. None of this is “rocket science,” she says. You learn by doing.

Late vocation, right decision: pivoting from physics

Seeing beyond the lab

Julia calls herself “rather a late vocation” for a developer role. She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in technical physics at TU Wien and specialized in solid‑state physics. But while diving deep into her specialization, she sensed that an academic career wouldn’t give her the kind of exposure to “real companies” and real‑world dynamics she was craving. The pull toward applied work became too strong to ignore.

Why physics translates to IT consulting

When people hear “physics to IT consulting,” the reaction Julia gets is often: “What?” Her explanation is straightforward: physics trains you to think analytically and to acclimate to new systems and boundary conditions quickly. You learn to treat every task like a puzzle. Consulting requires exactly that—landing in new contexts, understanding constraints, and solving problems under time pressure. The bridge between the two worlds is stronger than it might appear.

Consulting as a learning engine: short, varied, intense

Three to six months at a time

Julia describes consulting projects that often lasted only three to six months. That tempo demands a steep learning curve: quick orientation, fast domain absorption, crisp expectation‑setting, and visible impact. She worked in automotive, banking, and insurance—each with its own vocabulary, stakeholders, and rhythms.

Switching “altitudes” deliberately

Her work spanned multiple “altitudes”: from strategy consulting to analyzing architecture landscapes to being an active member of implementation teams. That kind of switching is a consulting staple—and it builds a crucial meta‑skill for engineers: navigating between business goals and technical reality without losing the thread. In our view, that’s a decisive advantage for anyone moving into full‑stack roles later on.

From slide decks to shipping: why implementation matters

“Bringing things onto the ground”

There are phases in consulting dominated by presentations. Julia learned there what truly energizes her: not just mapping ideas, but turning them into running systems. She calls it “bringing things onto the ground.” That insight led her to double down on the programming skills she already had from physics and to commit to becoming a software developer.

A transition that sticks

Her summary of the last years as a developer—“worked quite well”—is characteristically modest. Behind it sits a lot of practice and a clear sense of purpose: collaborate in teams, accept ownership, and take accountability not only for building software but also for testing and operating it.

Full‑stack with a backend lean: the SQUER way of being an all‑rounder

Beyond coding: wearing many hats on purpose

As a full‑stack engineer, Julia codes both backend and frontend, with a strong emphasis on the backend. But at SQUER the scope is intentionally wider: “When we build a product, we are business analysts and requirements engineers. We test the software ourselves, we operate the software ourselves. So we’re essentially all‑rounders.”

That mindset reframes the job: you don’t just implement a ticket—you understand the problem, anticipate risks, co‑own quality, and shoulder operational responsibility. It’s not an add‑on; it’s the core of how the team works.

Communication as a primary task

Julia’s day is not just about writing code. “I also communicate a lot,” she says—“with stakeholders, with customers, and with the team itself.” That breadth is why “it never gets boring.” For us, this is a key takeaway: all‑round full‑stack work is as much about structured conversations and decision‑making loops as it is about functions and classes.

Culture that compounds: flat hierarchy, trust, and laughter

Choosing the office for the people

There’s a simple cultural litmus test in Julia’s story: “I really like going to the office on Monday morning.” Working from home is an option, but she chooses the office because the environment is genuinely friendly. The team even works out in the morning sometimes and meets at the ping‑pong table during coffee breaks. The vibe is relaxed—but focused when it matters.

First‑name terms with the founders

“We have very flat hierarchies,” Julia says. She is on a first‑name basis with SQUER’s founders just as she is with her teammates. The effect is practical: shorter feedback cycles, fewer handoffs, and decisions guided by content rather than protocol.

An informal customer relationship that keeps politics out

Julia describes the relationship with their customer as “very good, very informal.” The result: “no political games.” The team can “focus on what needs to be done—and we laugh while doing it.” That kind of rapport is a productivity multiplier, because trust lets teams tackle tough topics early and honestly.

Learning by doing: practice, patience, and asking for help

“Sitzfleisch,” frustration tolerance—and daily reps

Asked how to become a developer, Julia repeats a line from her Analysis I professor: you need “Physizfleisch and a high frustration potential.” She translates this into practical advice for coding: “If you want to program—practice, practice, practice. Try things. Don’t be afraid even if at the beginning you have no clue. It’s not rocket science—you learn it.”

The second half of her formula is social: “Don’t be afraid to ask someone for help … that’s how you grow every day.” Growth, in her telling, is the cumulative effect of small, repeated efforts and honest questions.

Stretching your comfort zone

“You won’t always enjoy it, but sometimes you just have to dare,” she says—like standing in front of a camera even if it’s uncomfortable. The same applies to demos, pair sessions, or customer calls. Doing the thing reduces fear of doing it next time. That’s how practical confidence is built.

Actionable insights developers can apply

We distilled several principles from Julia’s story that developers and teams can put to work immediately.

1) Analytical skills transfer directly

• Physics, math, and other sciences train the core loop you need in software: form a hypothesis, test, observe constraints, iterate.
• Treat problems as structured puzzles; clarity accelerates progress in new domains.

2) Variety sharpens judgment

• Short projects across automotive, banking, and insurance taught Julia to find the essence quickly—what matters, what doesn’t, and what the next best move is.
• Switching industries strengthens your ability to set expectations and show impact.

3) Implementation is the payoff

• “Bringing things onto the ground” means taking responsibility for building, testing, and operating.
• Operational feedback is a powerful teacher—and a source of satisfaction.

4) Think full‑stack as end‑to‑end ownership

• It’s not just coding. It’s business analysis, requirements, testing, and operations.
• Owning more of the chain leads to better technical decisions and measurably better outcomes.

5) Make communication part of the job

• Stakeholders, customers, and teammates need clarity. Invest in it early.
• Regular, structured conversations prevent rework and enable faster iteration.

6) Culture that prioritizes content over politics

• A friendly environment, flat hierarchies, and informal customer rapport keep the focus on work that matters.
• Laughing together and caring for the craft are compatible—and mutually reinforcing.

7) Practice as a habit, not a sprint

• “Practice, practice, practice”: small daily reps beat sporadic marathons.
• Asking for help is a force multiplier—questions often reveal shortcuts you won’t find alone.

8) Deliberately expand your comfort zone

• First camera appearance, first live demo, first pairing with someone new—those are inflection points.
• Each “first” lowers the barrier for the next one.

A simple progression: from start to impact

Following the spirit of Julia’s advice, here’s a pragmatic progression that maps to most developer journeys.

• Step 1: Make practice routine

Block regular time. Keep the reps small and frequent. Doing beats overthinking.

• Step 2: Decompose problems

State the problem clearly, split it into parts, test assumptions, and check results. The lab mindset carries over.

• Step 3: Seek feedback early

Ask teammates. Request reviews. Clarify doubts sooner rather than later. Questions are investments, not interruptions.

• Step 4: Expand your scope

Don’t stop at implementation. Consider requirements, testing, and operability. That’s how you grow into an all‑rounder.

• Step 5: Create communication rhythms

Set regular touchpoints with stakeholders and customers. Align expectations, surface risks, and record decisions.

• Step 6: Stretch your comfort zone

Volunteer for a short demo or a brief presentation. Each small exposure builds durable confidence.

What teams can learn from this DevStory

These insights are not just for individuals; they map well to team dynamics and delivery practices.

• All‑round roles enable product ownership

Teams that understand requirements, test, and operate their software take end‑to‑end responsibility. Decisions improve, and quality follows.

• Flat hierarchies accelerate learning

First‑name culture and short paths reduce friction. Content wins over process for its own sake.

• Customer rapport is a productivity factor

Informal doesn’t mean unprofessional; it means trust. Trust lets you discuss hard things early and focus on outcomes rather than optics.

• Plan for communication capacity

Communication isn’t a side quest—it’s part of the core work. Treat it that way, and you’ll avoid late‑stage surprises.

Quotes that stick

Closing: A DevStory that lowers the barrier to entry

Julia Toifl’s journey shows how a clear desire to build, paired with analytical training, can turn a non‑linear path into a durable developer career. From physics she brings disciplined problem‑solving; from consulting, the habit of adapting quickly to new domains. In software, she finds the satisfaction of implementation—and a team culture at SQUER where flat hierarchies, customer trust, and everyday laughter make good work easier.

For aspiring developers, the core is simple and powerful: practice consistently, ask for help, communicate well, take responsibility, and keep stretching your comfort zone. That’s how you turn a pivot into a profession—and Monday into a day you look forward to.

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