From the student bench to the world of IT: the path of graduates of the Department of Computer Science

Every year, the Department of Computer Science of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine graduates a cohort of new specialists in the "Software Engineering" and "Computer Science" specialties. Every year, our graduates join the ranks of IT specialists and achieve significant success.

Traditionally, in the fall, we meet with our graduates. We talk about their successes, and they share information about new areas, technologies, and projects in which they participate. And the first to respond to our call was Maksym Nedyoshev, a 2022 bachelor's and 2023 master's graduate in Software Engineering.

Alum profile

• Name: Maxim Nedyoshev
• Undergraduate graduation year: 2022
• Graduate year from master's degree: 2023
• Specialty: Software Engineering
• Current position: Lead Frontend Developer at Epicmax

Interview

Good afternoon, Maxim! Thank you for taking the time. Please tell us what you are doing now?

Good afternoon! I work as a Lead Frontend Developer at Epicmax — this is the development of user interfaces for large web applications in various fields. I work in a team, we create new features, optimize existing code to make the product faster and more customer-friendly, and mentor junior colleagues.

Why did you choose this particular specialty?

My journey began in college, where I also majored in Software Engineering. This specialty had the highest passing score due to high demand in the labor market. In general, I was interested in software development.

What knowledge and skills gained at NUBiP have become the most useful for you?

Fundamental knowledge is the basis of everything. I am grateful for the courses in project practicum, organization of databases, algorithms and data structures, foreign language, discrete mathematics, object-oriented programming, mobile device programming, software architecture and design, etc. The teamwork skills that we gained during joint laboratory and course projects also helped a lot. This is an excellent preparation for real work.

What advice would you give to current applicants?

• Do not neglect fundamental disciplines. Technologies change, but the basics remain.
• Practice as much as possible. Theory is essential, but without practice, it is dead. Create your own small projects, participate in hackathons.
• Learn English. This is the language of international IT. All relevant documentation, articles, and courses are in English.
• Develop soft skills. The ability to communicate, work in a team, and present your ideas is no less important than the ability to write code.

Thank you for the interesting conversation! Inspiration to you in your future work!

The following person to answer our questions was Yaroslav Hordiy, a 2022 undergraduate and 2023 graduate majoring in Computer Science.

Alum profile

• Name: Yaroslav Gordiy
• Undergraduate graduation year: 2022
• Graduate year from master's degree: 2023
• Specialty: Computer Science
• Current Position: QA Automation Engineer at Sombra

Interview

Congratulations, Yaroslav! Tell us about your work

Good afternoon! I work as a QA Automation Engineer at Sombra. My job is to automate software testing and ensure its quality.

Why did you choose this particular specialty?

Even at school, I was interested in the principles of computer programs, so I chose "Computer Science". NUBiP is attracted by intense technical training. The university provided thorough knowledge of algorithms, data structures, computer architecture, and the theory of programming languages. Each lecture was accompanied by practical classes or projects, which allowed you to apply the knowledge gained immediately.

What knowledge and skills gained at NUBiP have become the most useful for you?

• Programming: Learned the basics of object-oriented programming, wrote scripts in C+/Java/Python, mastered Git, and created simple automated tests.
• Database organization: Learned how to design databases, perform normalization, and set up backups. This knowledge helped to work efficiently with large amounts of data.
• IT Project Management: Studied the basics of Agile, project planning, and risk assessment. This helped me to understand teamwork and process organization better.

What advice would you give to current applicants?

Choose a specialty that you like. After each lecture, try to put the knowledge into practice - for example, create small programs or tests. Learn English, because it is necessary for working with documentation and professional resources. Consider your thesis project an opportunity to make a portfolio: write high-quality code and add clear documentation. Mistakes during training are typical; it is essential to analyze them and improve.

Thank you for your valuable advice and engaging conversation!

The third person to agree to answer our questions was  Dmytro Shevchenko, a 2020 bachelor's degree graduate with a degree in software engineering and a 2021 graduate with a master's degree in computer science.

Alum profile

• Name: Dmytro Shevchenko
• Year of graduation from bachelor's degree: 2020, specialty "Software Engineering"
• Year of graduation from the master's program: 2021, specialty "Computer Science"
• Current Position: Software Engineer, ISI Technology

Interview

Good afternoon, Dmitry! Thank you for taking the time. Please tell us what you are doing now?

Good afternoon! I work as a Software Engineer at ISI Technology. My job is to develop and implement software for automating business processes using modern technologies.

Why did you choose this particular specialty?

I chose the "Software Engineering" specialty at NUBiP because I have been interested in programming and modern technologies since school. The choice in favor of this university was due to a strong base, the opportunity to learn from experienced teachers, and a contemporary curriculum.

What knowledge and skills gained at NUBiP have become the most useful for you?

I especially remember the courses on high-performance computer systems, object modeling, organization of data warehouses, and methods for building expert systems. The ability to work with modern technologies, simulate complex systems, and analyze large amounts of data helped me quickly adapt to real projects at ISI Technology.

What advice would you give to current applicants?

I recommend using all the university opportunities to develop technical and "soft" skills — the ability to think critically, work in a team, and constantly learn new things.

Thank you very much for a meaningful conversation!

 

Bella Golub, Head of the Department of Computer Science