“Courses are not a magic pill, but a decent start to a career in IT” — insights from a project management course graduate

About studying at Beetroot Academy

I was most impressed by the resilience of the teachers and students — we studied without electricity and in between air raids. The founder of the Academy even wrote to me personally and asked how I liked the course. This is just a mega-customer focus! I was pleasantly surprised and incredibly grateful for the scholarship.

Employers are aware of Beetroot Academy and therefore pay attention to your place of study. I got my first job as a lead generator before I graduated because a recruiter saw my status on LinkedIn.

What advice do you have for those who want to try their hand at IT?

To want to work in IT, you must first understand whether you really like it. Because even during your studies, there will be ups and downs, and you have to pull yourself up somehow. And here, just a desire to make money or advice from friends won't work. To feel what profession is right for you, dig deeper into each one and listen to yourself. That's how I once started with front-end, which didn't suit me, but project management immediately drove me.

You can also consider tech education as upgrading existing skills and using what you already have. For example, if you're a humanitarian, reject all technical professions and choose from non-technical ones. It can be UI/UX design, HR, or Project management. 

Remember that courses are not a magic pill but a decent start to a career in IT. You need to do more than sit through classes like in school. You must work hard, do your homework and improve your English to at least B1 level.

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How did you find your first job?

I was lucky because my first job found me on LinkedIn while I was still studying. But for this, I spent a lot of time and effort creating my profile: I published content, wrote about my skills, and certifications, and was active in the comments. So if I have any advice, it's to improve your LinkedIn.

The second time I was looking for a job, I sent personal messages to recruiters. There were 1/10 responses, but that one was decisive. Now I work as a Scrum Master at PrivatBank and apply everything I learned in the PM course.

And finally, don't reject offers you receive, even if they're not precisely project management, as was the case with me. I started as a lead generator but told my CEO I was studying and ready to take a junior position. A month later, I got the opportunity and continue my career as a PM in the same company. Everything will happen, but not immediately.

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