We met up again! On May 6, with the newest generations of graduates and those stepping into the School for the very first time.
In recent months, they've learned Java Development, .NET Web Development, Software Testing, Test Automation, or picked up their first concepts in the field at Intro in IT. The School's experience meant, for each of them, opening up a new path. The learning continues today, but by far it's the self-confidence they've built up along the way that makes the difference. Whether they came from completely different fields and set out to reinvent their careers, or whether they were already in IT and wanted to push past their own limits, even if they're still in high school or have kids at home, they made it. They didn't just set big goals for themselves, they reached them and went beyond them, through the ambition to believe in a new beginning.
What advice do they have for the new students? "Do your homework!"
The last 5 generations of graduates passed the baton to the new students They responded positively to every learning challenge in order to grow. They set goals for themselves and put in the effort to reach them.The road to get there, though, meant thorough preparation, discipline, time management, adaptability and a lot of practice. The most important professional and personal aspects involved in an IT career, they learned from their mentors, who shared their motivation and passion with them. The School's graduates have shown, once again, that when drive and mentorship are there, results aren't far behind.
I come from a field that has nothing to do with IT: landscaping. In these past months I've learned how important it is to be ambitious, to never give up. Throughout this experience, I was guided by a quote from our mentor: "You can train skills. But you can train attitudine". Going forward, I want to move into the back-end area. That's also the recommendation I got from the mentors who trained me, assessed me, and guided me toward the direction that suits me.
Oana, Intro in IT graduate, discovered her passion for programming
Put your heart into it and work hard. No matter how many obstacles come up, there's always a way to overcome them. Thank you to the mentors because, in the moments when our enthusiasm wasn't at its peak, we had them as an example, they guided us constantly, and we kept moving forward. These have been the most beautiful and interesting months of my life so far.
Georgiana, Software Testing graduate, got hired in IT during the courseThe graduates told the new students about "learning by doing", about the experience of the mentors who trained them and the added value in developing their potential, but also about focus and feedback. "Do the homework your mentors give you!" was on everyone's lips.
Unlike most people who go through Informal School of IT, for me this experience happened alongside high school. I'm finishing 11th grade right now. I was pleasantly surprised to find out I could talk with the people teaching me even on Facebook, and that you can get constant help and guidance. I discovered new things and realized how important it is to know how to solve problems.
Dani, Java Development graduate, 11th grade student
I've already been working in QA for 3 years. I never thought I'd end up at Informal School of IT, but I can say I'm very happy with the choice I made and with being here. It was very challenging. Thank you to my colleagues, and especially to the mentors, for the guidance, mentorship and coaching.
Andrei, graduate of the Test Automation specialization program
The whole experience I went through impressed me a great deal. The fact that I took part in Challenge Accepted, the initiative started by Informal School of IT where you get to work on a real project similar to those at IT companies, felt extraordinary to me. It was a real challenge, and I worked in teams alongside classmates from every specialization.
Alex, .NET Web Development graduate
In the end, this is a personal race
Behind the benefits IT specialists enjoy on the market, there's a lot of work and preparation, and passion and motivation have a decisive say in success. The great secret remains inspiration. That's why the mentors at Informal School of IT guide you step by step.
You start with small steps. You want more than that, to push past your own limits, and then at some point you realize you're finally satisfied with what you've done. That's roughly the daily or weekly journey every IT person goes through. You have to look at yourself and see if you're better than you were last week, last month, last year. If you feel you've made that progress, it means you're on the right track. I wish you would set yourselves the biggest goals possible. To push past your own limits. In the end, this is a personal race.
concluded Sorin Stan – one of the founders of Informal School of IT – at the graduation ceremony
