"Once you discover the joy of programming, and especially a passion for the C++ language, you won't be able to quit". Interview with Adrian Bularca, Intro in C++ mentor

"Once you discover your passion for programming, you won't be able to quit," says Adrian Bularca, a professional with more than 23 years of experience in the field. A passion that the Informal School of IT mentor cultivated ever since he was a student, back when he punched cards to gain access to the only computer in his high school. "A giant computer, the size of a cabinet, that only worked with punched cards," he recalls, mentioning with a laugh the "delightful reaction" of his kids upon hearing about this "sci-fi" experience in today's reality. The love story, however, truly began later, in his second year of college, when Adrian decided that, from then on, for better or worse, programming would be part of his life forever. A love that has remained steady for over two decades, unshaken even today. "I like understanding how technology works, down to the smallest bit," is the school mentor Adrian Bularca's creed.

Let's give him the floor! Find out about Intro in C++, straight from Adrian, the one who will guide you step by step at the Informal School of IT Brașov.

Intro in C++ offers you a wide range of benefits. Both professionally and personally. Short-term and long-term

1. I want a career in IT. How do I know if I have the right profile for this course?

If you're a very meticulous person and have a special interest in details, it means you'll be drawn to the C++ programming language that we'll study together in this educational program. You need to be passionate about technology and enjoy devoting a lot of time to individual study, because the learning curve is a gentle one. Once, however, you discover the joy of programming, and especially a passion for the C++ language, I can assure you that you won't be able to quit, you'll want to build a career in the field.

2. What are the long-term benefits I can gain as a graduate of this educational program?

The benefits are numerous, both professionally and personally. The knowledge gained is a first step toward the beginning of a dynamic, rewarding career in programming, if we're talking about the professional side.

The great advantage, however, is also visible in your personal life: you'll pick up an analytical way of thinking, which will let you become aware of even the decision-making processes you go through in your everyday life.

3. What benefits can I get in the short term?

If you get outstanding results during the Intro in C++ training sessions and rank among the top 20 students, you'll get free access to the advanced C++ educational program: Curious Minds Programming for Engineers, run by the company Siemens Industry Software. If you also graduate from the Curious Minds Programming for Engineers educational program with good results, you'll get back your initial investment in the Intro in C++ educational program. In other words, graduating from both educational programs with outstanding results means zero cost to you and a guaranteed job interview at Siemens Industry Software, which means an extraordinary chance to have access to a professional work environment in such a short time.

4. I understand that if I get outstanding results during the Intro in C++ training sessions, I'll get access to an advanced C++ course run by Siemens Industry Software. What does "outstanding results" mean?

Students will be selected based on the knowledge gained over the 8 weeks of training in the Intro in C++ educational program. Results will be reflected in the homework solved and classroom activity, in individual projects, in the final exam, and in the mentor's feedback and recommendation.

Adrian Bularcă has over 23 years of experience in C/C++ assembly languages, software/system development, architecture/design

Essential, at the start of a programming career

5. The learning resources available online today are numerous and increasingly diverse, many of them even free. Why is it worth investing in the Intro in C++ program?

Step-by-step guidance from a mentor, interaction with practitioners as well as with other classmates at the same point as you, and personalized feedback, are essential when you're just starting out. But taking part in an educational program where you're mentored doesn't rule out individual study — on the contrary, it's mandatory to keep learning on your own at every stage of a programmer's career. This educational program gives you what's called mentoring, training and coaching.

6. What does "mentoring, training and coaching" mean?

Combined, it all means step-by-step guidance, in every situation you encounter during the learning process. We're not just talking about simple answers to generic situations, but about shaping an analytical way of thinking that every student will make their own.

7. What will we study over the two months of the Intro in C++ program?

We'll study together the fundamentals of programming, in general, and of the C/C++ language, in particular.

Every course hour will be interesting, challenging and engaging

8. I have a full-time job. When are the course sessions? Will I be able to keep up?

The course sessions are scheduled so they don't overlap with a standard work schedule. Classroom sessions are held twice a week, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, at the Informal School of IT Brașov.

The pace is brisk, the amount of information is large, and keeping up depends on each person's determination. That's exactly why motivation and passion are defining, indispensable traits for our students.

9. How would you describe a course hour at the Informal School of IT?

In short: interesting, challenging and engaging.

10. I'm a student at the Informal School of IT Brașov. For 8 weeks, you'll become my mentor. What can you tell me right now about this experience I'm about to go through?

Certainly, you'll enjoy it fully. It will be an extraordinary experience from every point of view: technical – professional – personal.

Time to prepare for a profession of the future? Learn for real!