“Start in IT” is a popular slogan heard out of every pore from IT course organizers, bloggers, and career sites with no experience vacancies. But for making a career it’s not enough just to start in IT, you need to stay here as well, finding the path that suits you best. Some people come in and almost immediately leave or sort through projects/positions, and some immediately hit the bullseye, perfectly matching the position, team, and project. Sergey, Tech Lead Developer of GP Solutions, is one of the last lucky ones;) Let’s ask him a few questions about his path in IT.
– Hi, Sergey. You joined the company in November 2017, just over 5 years ago. At that time, did you already have some experience in IT or a university/course studies only?
– Hi;) I had no experience, only the knowledge base (not a big one :D) obtained at the university. I studied at SUIR, FCSN CMSN, such an unpronounceable set of letters (we decipher: the State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, Faculty of Computer Systems and Networks, specialty: computing machines, systems, and networks). At that time, I was in my last fourth year and was looking for a job with the possibility of allocation (the practice of employment of university graduates, which is mandatory for several years after graduation, which provides employment for young professionals and their social guarantees).
– Tell us, what was your impression of the interview at GP Solutions? And how many interviews did you have before coming to the company?)
– Before GP Solutions I was at several interviews, but everywhere either the knowledge base was not good enough, or the other candidates were stronger than me.
At GP Solutions, it all started with a test task that had to be completed to enroll in courses. After the end of the courses, there was a final exam. Depending on the results, some of us had an interview and got an offer. I don’t remember all the nuances anymore, but in general, it was a very friendly conversation.
– Do you remember how your 3 months of probation went? Easy peasy or did you have to work hard on the project?;)
– Something in between. The tasks were not difficult so it was possible smoothly join the work processes. I immediately got to the HUB project, where I still work (GP Travel Hub is the first GP Solutions product, a single API aggregator that combines many integrations with various travel product providers within a single solution). All the guys on the team were very friendly and tried to help me immerse myself in the project, it helped a lot.
By the way, a special hello to all the “old-timers” who are no longer working on the project. If you read this interview, know that I remember everyone and keep your photos;)
– Was the knowledge from the university useful at work? Or it was according to the classics – “forget everything you were taught at the university”?
– Actually, only a small part of what was studied appeared to be useful at work. In my opinion, the most important value of any university, regardless of profession, is the development of socialization skills and building communication with different people.
– Let’s go 17 years back and ask little boy Sergey: did you dream to become an IT specialist? Or a superhero-astronaut?;)
– Okay, 26 minus 17 equals 9 years. At that age, I didn’t even know the word “IT”;) In general, I never dreamed that I would do something specific. In kindergarten, every time when children were asked who they want to be, I just repeated the most popular answer;)
And even in high school, when everyone think about going to college or university, I didn’t have a clear dream – okay, that’s it, I will be an IT specialist. I liked to spend time playing computer games and at that time it was already believed that programmers earn good money. That’s how I came to the idea of IT.
– In 5 years you passed the way from junior dev to Tech Lead on the project. This happened relatively recently. Congratulations and a lot of success in your new position! Please share the secret of a successful career, how did you achieve this? 2-4 main aspects.
– Ahaha, this question reminds me of asking the rich how to make a lot of money;)
I have no idea what to answer. But this is my chance to become an IT coach-motivator, so just $25 and you will get a full course on how to become a super-mega-successful IT specialist, ahaha;)
<!– then there will be just a train of thought a free introduction to the course of a super-mega-successful IT specialist →
The easiest way is when more experienced colleagues move to other projects/companies. And then, ta-dah! You become the “experienced colleague” for newcomers;)
But seriously, when you show an active interest in work, in time you’ll begin to understand more deeply how processes work, learn more and more new things, and make mistakes that you learn best from. All this definitely leads to professional development.
Therefore, if you ask me, certain aspects of a successful career are discipline, patience, and hard work.
– How has your job changed since you became a Tech Lead? What tasks have appeared?
– Perhaps the most noticeable thing for me was that now I am fully involved in all processes within the project. I make decisions on issues that less experienced colleagues cannot cope with, or when it is necessary to develop a common solution for a global task. It’s not always easy and simple, but it can’t be helped, we need to act, even without 100% confidence in the result;)
– Everything flows, and changes, especially on IT projects: people come and go, change projects and specializations. You are one of the few who remained from the 5-year-ago HUB team. Is it somehow felt at work or at teambuildings?
– It’s hard to say. The team did not change instantly, everything happened for several years, so this is smoothed out over a long period.
I can definitely say that teambuildings still bring me a lot of pleasure. I try not to miss them even now when I moved to another city. None of the guys have made them worse, everybody brings something positive and interesting;)
– Have you ever had a desire to change your specialty, master new frameworks (as Victor, Lead Frontend Developer recommended in his advice;)) or switch to another project? Or maybe even leave IT?
– I never had a desire to change my profession, because I don’t see myself in anything else. At the moment I am satisfied with the project I am working on – this is H, this is U, this is B!;)
– It seems that we found out everything about Tech Lead Sergey. And what about an ordinary guy Sergey? Tell us what you are interested in outside of work.
– Over the past couple of years, I have been “hooked” on sports: gym, swimming pool. Actively attending boxing training for the last six months.
I’m also trying to learn guitar, but it turns out so-so yet;)
Let’s not break traditions. In the end – blitz;)
1. Classics: Star Wars or Lord of the Rings?
Star Wars.
2. Development or testing? Name 3 reasons.
Development: creating bugs, fixing bugs, being beaten for those bugs;)
3. Youtube Shorts or TikTok?
There should be an Escobar Axiom meme here;) Well, if it is censored, then I am equally indifferent to both options.
4. Friday night: alone or teambuilding?
Teambuilding.
5. Name your favourite merch from GP Solutions. Why exactly this one?
White longsleeve (it seems it is properly called that way;)) with the letters GP Solutions on the sleeve. I like white clothes;)