Indie developer on the uniqueness of the field and the necessary skills for programmers

We met with Aizhan Khasenova, an indie developer and founder of the EdTech startup Aity. She shared her journey into the IT industry and discussed the responsibilities of mobile app creators.

Aizhan Khasenova, 29 years old, city — Karaganda, indie developer, @aizhan_khassenova

About herself

I work as a mobile developer at an app development studio. I am also developing the EdTech startup Aity.

How my journey in IT began

In 2010, I enrolled in college in the "Information Systems" department. Afterward, I completed my bachelor's degree at Karaganda Polytechnic University, majoring in "Computing Machinery and Software." I worked as a system administrator, ensuring the stable operation of operating systems, application software, and network devices.

I was also an employee of the Association for the Development of Information Technologies of the Republic of Kazakhstan. We organized events for IT professionals and developers. After that, I transitioned into mobile development.

On choosing a major

I have always been inclined toward technical sciences. This was the main reason for choosing my major. Additionally, my father works at a company that provides free IT education for employees' children. This also influenced my choice.

Main tasks

The essence of indie development is working on an application from the idea stage to release. I provide design concepts, UX/UI, perform development and testing, and create a marketing strategy.

Indie developers are also responsible for maintenance — they monitor user satisfaction with the app, its download rates, and much more.

On education

The university I graduated from is suitable for obtaining a basic education. It provides theoretical skills, but this knowledge alone is not enough to get a job.

Through the TechOrda grant, I also completed courses at the "SHAG" academy, which gave me practical skills — these are necessary to become a professional.

Recommendations for beginners

1. You can study the theoretical foundation on your own.
2. Take courses at the Employment Center. Many of them offer scholarships.
3. Do internships. Even if you work for free, you will still gain the necessary skills. Today, many IT companies, such as Yandex or the ALEM school, offer paid internships, provide housing, and other benefits.

On getting hired

I got my job through networking. Many people knew me because I organized IT events. During the pandemic, I studied Android development. An indie development company offered me an internship because they were testing a hypothesis in this area at the time.

There is nothing wrong with finding work through networking. It is not "nepotism" — people know you as a specialist who has the necessary skills.

Challenges

Work in indie development is unstable. You can spend a long time building an app, invest a lot of effort, and not get the desired response after the release. You need to be prepared for this.

Necessary skills

To become a good indie developer, you will need skills of an analyst, developer, designer, tester, and project manager. It is important to continuously develop in these areas, study new technologies, and keep up with trends.