Java Guru: Hi, Vladislav! Tell us a bit about yourself, who are you and what do you do?
Hi! Now I work at Accenture, before that I taught higher mathematics at the Riga Technical University, and I am emerged in science.
Java Guru: Please tell us how did you get into IT?
When I was introduced to IT, there was no such thing. Beck then, there was informatics. I was also introduced to it in school, Grade 9 – our school installed probably one of the first (if not the very first) BK-0010 class computers with colour monitors called “Electronics”, it was supposed to be a network, but something went wrong; we had a DVK-2 in a thick aluminium case with a wedge-shaped case monitor as a server. Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine something like that! We programmed Basic Vilnius, and as a reward they downloaded games from a tape recorder.
Java Guru: How did you hear about the Java Guru courses?
I went to the Riga Technical University’s computer technology page and there was a link. I thought, if there’s already a link in such a place, obviously the courses are worth it.
Java Guru: What courses did you complete at Java Guru? What knowledge did you master?
Java 1 and Java 2.
The most important thing I got from the training was a modern approach to programme design. I had learnt the basics a long time ago, because I had to write programs for numerical computation, albeit not very complex, and even without object-oriented programming (OOP). This made the course easier than for those who started without basic knowledge. I had good luck with my trainer in Java 1 (I’m sorry he doesn’t teach anymore). I learnt the most important things, which is how programs are written nowadays, the naming system for variables, classes and methods, and I learnt that from someone who was doing it himself. An extra tasty bonus – talks “about Java” and programming, stories about what techniques, frameworks and technologies are used, what to read, what to pay attention to, just stories from life in the office.
In Java 2, they basically talked about using the technologies that were already mentioned in the initial course.
Java Guru: How did the Java Guru course help you get an internship at Accenture?
For a start, they helped me get into Bootcamp training. A year ago, I wouldn’t have made it. But the first time I went with virtually no knowledge of OOP and programming languages, apart from some reading of the materials sent to me. That’s why I took the JavaGuru course, to learn what I didn’t know. I find it difficult to come up with a programme out of thin air, and the literature is not always clear. But during the course, they talk and explain, and all questions are answered.
The Bootcamp training was relatively difficult, and without the basic knowledge it would have been very difficult. After the Bootcamp, I was given a task to do in a short time to participate in the internship. The knowledge I gained in Java 2 was a great help in completing this task.
Java Guru: What are your current goals?
At the moment, my goals are simple, i.e. to learn to work at a level where I can independently complete tasks in real projects. Get Java Developer and AWS certification. Learn the necessary technologies and methodologies. Thus, do the switch from Junior to Senior. And earn enough money.
Java Guru: Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to those who are just starting out in IT?
Learn to think. Logically and consistently. Pay attention to the details and find the cause. Try to find the best way to solve the problem. Get used to scratching your head trying to find a solution. Learn how to search for the information you need on Google Web. Don’t limit yourself to one source. Learn to work not in the “I’m a programmer, that’s how I see it!” style, but in the “THIS IS HOW the client needs it, and that’s definitely how I’m going to do it” style.
I wish everyone the best of luck!