How to Start a Developer Career Without a Classical IT Education: A Guide for Beginners

Boris Dobretsov, city — Bishkek, Linkedin

I am an iOS Team Lead at Optima Bank, one of the leading banks in Kyrgyzstan. I did not enter the world of IT right away. I started my programming journey without a classical education. But today I want to share how I managed to reach my current position and what advice I can offer to those who are just beginning their path.

Where the interest in the technology field began

Since childhood, I loved everything related to technology. Noticing my interest, my parents enrolled me in system administrator courses when I was about nine years old. It was 1999, and it seems Windows 98 was in use back then. I remember attending these courses and learning how to reinstall Windows, install drivers, and figure out everything related to it. In school, I was always at the front row during computer science lessons and tried to join the group that organized discos because they had access to the equipment. Although my hobby did not immediately turn into a profession, I believe that passion is more important than education or even experience.

How I entered the developer profession

I first thought about a developer career during the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.

My previous experience had little to do with this field, except that it was somehow related to technology. Before mobile development, I worked with setting up audio and lighting equipment, served as the technical director of a network of establishments including clubs, bars, and restaurants, sold microelectronic components for the aerospace industry, and even worked in an aviation fire safety testing laboratory.

When I seriously approached changing professions, I bought an online course at a well-known IT school, but quickly became disappointed and decided to study on my own. After seven months of self-study, while combining it with my main job, I got my first internship. At that moment, I was not looking for prestigious companies; I simply could not wait to try my skills in practice. I chose not the most famous companies, but ones with interesting geographies — Armenia, Thailand, Japan.

What I do today

I am a Mobile Development Team Lead at one of the largest banks in Kyrgyzstan. I effectively manage a team of developers, write code, and enjoy my work and life. Considering that I have been in development since spring 2021, I consider this an impressive career growth. The projects I manage are ambitious and technically complex.

Secrets of dynamic career growth

When you enter the profession as a "self-taught" person, it is important to stand out through other achievements and projects. In my case, I have been engaged in mentoring and teaching almost from the very beginning, so:

Advice #1: Engage in teaching and share your experience, even if it is minor. Since from the very beginning of my path I faced a lack of decent courses for learning iOS development, I started teaching pro bono in various online and offline schools and worked as a mentor. Thus, I accelerated my own learning process. A pleasant bonus was recognition in the community for my activities.

Advice #2: Participate in projects in your field, even on a voluntary basis, if it helps you improve your skills. I was fortunate to participate in two social projects for developing applications aimed at helping preserve German and Austrian dialects. These were social projects, but they helped me gain international experience.

In the first years of entering the profession, it is important to compensate for the lack of classical education with such extraordinary activities that in three to four years will allow you to aim for leadership positions in larger companies, as in my case.

Advice #3: Do not be afraid to ask for help if you feel you are not coping. Join communities, find like-minded people, and reach out to mentors.

Technology development in Central Asia

The potential of the Central Asian market is huge both in terms of personnel and work. There are talented developers in Central Asia, however, there is a sharp shortage of good specialists. The programming education system is significantly lacking: there are few opportunities, and in some places, there is no support for development at all. Companies like GeekBrains are entering the Central Asian markets, but with their prices, it seems like a failed path. Local companies are developing, one of them is Geeks, where I taught, but this is not enough.

It seems that Central Asia needs IT experience from more developed countries. As an example, a huge number of companies moved to Kazakhstan in 2022, which gave a strong boost to the development of the IT sector.

If you need help, I will be happy to support you in the format of free mentoring — contact me!