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“I have received and accepted a job offer from Codix. Trainers, I want to thank you all for everything you did for us. In merely 6 months, you turned us into master junior developers. Telerik Academy is one of the best decisions in my professional life.“ - Stanimir Kolev posted in Telerik Academy’s forum.

Needless to say, we were extremely happy for Stanimir. Just as we are for all our alumni who fulfill their dreams - jumpstarting a career in the IT industry. After all, this is our mission!

We wanted to share Stanimir’s story with you because it is so inspirational. We reached out to him, and this is how the conversation went. 

Stanimir, thank you for your time in what we imagine is an exciting moment for you - the beginning of your IT career! Can you share with all of us what happened? 

Yes, it’s an exciting moment for me! It's a great feeling when your hard work and efforts are valued so highly - especially after 8 months dedicated to programming (6 months at Telerik Academy Alpha and 2 months in preparation for the entrance exam prior to that). Now I'm a Java Developer at a very reputable IT company - CODIX Bulgaria. I received the job offer shortly after my graduation in May. The whole hiring process took around 20 days.

Which lesson from our soft skills trainers helped you the most during the interview process?

Their guidance was very useful. I tried to do my best, answering all the questions with specific hands-on examples from all the projects that we developed in the Academy. This clearly shows that I have developed my programming skills through practical work, and not by just watching videos online. It’s fascinating how important the role of the Soft Skills training is in Telerik Academy Alpha programs. I have 12 years of experience in Marketing and Sales, and it took me years to master some of the concepts taught in the Soft Skills classes. These sessions are priceless for the younger developers.

Let’s take you a little back - what did you find most valuable in the Telerik Academy Alpha Java program? Which were the key lessons that helped you land your first IT job?

The curriculum and the way the program is built is excellent! The modules are designed to take you through the whole development process of a web application. I still cannot believe I was able to create two web apps in just 6 months! It's an immersive program that covers a wide variety of knowledge and insights. I would have to spend at least 2 years learning them in other educational centers. I didn't have that time at my disposal.

Telerik Academy's teaching methods are among the most effective I've ever experienced - and I am well versed in the subject - small groups, constant feedback, personal attitude towards every student, a lot of practical projects to implement everything you’ve learned. And that’s not all, because during the program they also prepare us for the job-hunting process after graduation - counsel on how to create a professional CV, mock interviews, direct contacts with top companies, and more. 

Is there a moment from your education in Telerik Academy that you’ll always remember with a smile?

Everything that we did as a group! It’s great to learn together with young and intelligent colleagues. I know that a lot of people apply to Telerik Academy’s programs, but only the best get accepted. Every day was a pleasure, and I made true friends during the program. When I applied, I had no idea that I’ll be working so much in a group. There are a lot of abstract principles in programming that could be daunting for an inexperienced student. As it turns out, the best way to understand them is through teamwork and in-group discussions. We helped each other by sharing what we have learned, and together we achieved a deeper understanding of the material.

What were you doing before Telerik Academy? How did you decide that it was time for a change?

I graduated from UNWE with a degree in Marketing and for 12 years now I’ve been working in the field of Marketing and Sales. Working with numbers and analyzing data was always my strong suit.

The truth is that I’ve wanted to become a developer ever since fifth grade. In 2019, when I turned 33, the idea reappeared. This time I made a defining decision, and I acted. 

For me, this career change was never a risky endeavor. Through the years I've acquired valuable experience that I can lean to even in programming. I see it more like staying relevant to a rapidly changing world.

What made you choose Telerik Academy? How did you know that this was the right place for you?

I left my job to pursue a career in the IT industry. I had no time to waste, and Telerik Academy is the fastest and most effective way to become a developer. My friends who have vast experience in programming strongly recommended Telerik Academy. When you know that you are entering an important battle, you take your biggest weapon with you. That’s why I chose Telerik Academy.

Thank you for this conversation. We wish you the best of luck, and before we say goodbye, we have one last question - which is the most valuable lesson you learned during the Telerik Academy program?

It actually reiterated something I strongly believe in - you can achieve anything, as long as you want it, and you put your heart and mind to it.

Follow your dreams, apply to Telerik Academy Alpha Java!