"My experience shows that in IT, practical skills are more important," — Aman Kubanychbek on starting a career in IT

Aman Kubanychbek, city — Bishkek, programmer, Instagram, LinkedIn

About Me

I am a fullstack developer with 10 years of experience working in Kyrgyzstan and abroad. Currently, I am working on a product for the local market at Mancho. My journey in IT began at Razzakov Kyrgyz State Technical University, where I studied the major "Software Engineering for Computing Equipment," which is now called "Software Engineering."

Before university, I had no programming experience. Like many beginners, I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting into. In my first year, when I encountered C++, I initially felt lost. This is normal. Many people go through this.

The turning point came during practical classes. We were given simple algorithmic problems, and the process of solving them — through trial and error — not only helped me understand the basics of programming but also sparked a huge interest. I discovered that I enjoyed the coding process.

I did not receive a diploma, but I mastered all the necessary skills for a programmer's profession. This allowed me to become one of the strongest students in programming and complete internships at several companies alongside classmates who had diplomas.

My experience shows that in IT, practical skills and a passion for learning are more important than formal education. Do not be afraid of difficulties at the beginning of your path — they are natural and surmountable. The main thing is not to give up and keep practicing.

About My First IT Job

I started my career with an internship at TimelySoft, now known as Kanda CA, where I worked on backend development using C#/.NET. I chose this company for several reasons: a familiar technology stack, which is important for a beginner, and the fact that the company founders were practicing programmers and university teachers, which promised quality training.

The interview process was educational. Here is what beginners should know:

1. Do not be afraid of interviews! It is an opportunity to identify your weak points and receive valuable feedback.

2. Honesty is valued more than knowing all the answers. Do not hesitate to say "I don't know" — this shows your openness to learning.

3. Technical skills can be improved, but the ability to accept criticism and the desire to learn are key qualities for employers.

The interview lasted two to three hours and included:

— theoretical part: language basics, data structures, algorithms, .NET architecture, databases

— practical part: writing pseudocode to solve an algorithmic problem

— general topics: set theory, mathematical analysis, algorithm complexity.

It is important to understand that the volume of questions depends on your background. If you have a relevant degree, be prepared for deeper questions.

My experience shows that education helps you get your first job, but it is not considered mandatory. Today, there are faster ways to enter the profession, such as courses. However, regardless of the path you choose, the key to success is continuous self-learning. If you do not stop learning after starting work, your growth in the first two to three years will be exponential.

Remember: every interview is an experience and an opportunity for growth, regardless of the outcome, so go through many interviews, ask companies for feedback, and develop based on it.

About Difficulties

My job search story is atypical; it shows how important it is to be visible in the professional community. After my first job, I never submitted resumes for vacancies. Even at a well-known company like Miro, I got there through an invitation from their recruiter. This gave me a slight advantage: I did not need to polish my resume to a shine to get noticed, and I did not have to apply to hundreds of companies, risking being ignored.

However, this situation has a flip side. If I had not been noticed and invited to Miro, I would never have thought to apply to such a well-known global company while sitting in Bishkek. I simply did not realize that I could compete at the level of Western product companies. This is an important lesson for all beginning programmers: do not underestimate yourself and your capabilities.

Job Search Strategy in Modern Conditions

1. Changes in the labor market.

In the past, competition in IT was not as high. Currently, the situation has changed, especially for beginners. Do not be upset if finding your first job takes longer — this is normal under current conditions.

2. Job search strategy.

Work on your personal brand. This can be an active thematic profile on LinkedIn, a Telegram channel, a blog, or a YouTube channel.

Participate in open source projects. This is a great way to showcase your skills and gain real experience. It is also desirable to broadcast the process on platforms like LinkedIn or Telegram.

The main thing is to demonstrate your value and the quality of your work. Do not limit yourself to #OpenToWork posts.

3. Networking.

Attend IT events and networking meetings. Meet people from the industry. Do not be afraid to offer free work on projects that interest you — this is a great way to gain experience and establish yourself.

4. Mindset shift.

Instead of thinking "What can they give me?", think "What can I give them?". This will help you stand out among other candidates.

5. For more experienced individuals: do not limit yourself.

Do not think that you cannot compete with candidates from other countries or apply for positions in well-known companies. Your skills and potential may be higher than you think.

6. Long-term perspective.

With experience, the balance of power will shift in your favor — there will always be demand for a top specialist. The main thing is to start and keep developing continuously.

Remember that the beginning of a career is the most difficult stage. But with the right approach and persistence, you will definitely find your place in the IT industry.