Starting Point: Beginning the IT Odyssey
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Oleksandr Shevchuk, a seasoned professional in the IT world. Oleksandr has embarked on a remarkable journey throughout his career, particularly with GeeksForLess, where he has grown from a beginner developer to an experienced leader. Join us as we dive into his inspiring story, exploring the challenges, accomplishments, and insights that have shaped his career.
Let’s start from the beginning. Can you tell us how your journey into the world of IT began?
Oleksandr: Certainly! My journey at GeeksForLess started in 2014, which was a challenging year for Ukraine due to economic turmoil. At that time, I was a third-year university student, and I began looking for job opportunities due to rising prices caused by the crisis. It all began when I noticed a friend of mine effortlessly creating a stunning website using APS.Net in C#. It was a real eye-opener for me. I had never worked with C# before, as my university focus differed. However, I was so captivated by my friend’s work that I spent my entire vacation trying to figure it out independently, making plenty of mistakes along the way — and mistakes are also part of the learning process.
That’s an interesting start to your journey. What were some of the initial challenges you faced as a budding developer?
Oleksandr: Well, one of the biggest hurdles I encountered was the language barrier. My English skills were not strong, and most of the valuable information about ASP.NET was in English back then. So, not only did I have to grasp the technical aspects, but I also had to improve my language skills simultaneously.
Professional Development at GeeksForLess: Nurturing Talent and Skills
How did GeeksForLess play a role in your professional development during those early days?
Oleksandr: GeeksForLess played a pivotal role in my growth as a developer. I applied for a position, completed a challenging test task within a week, and received positive feedback. That was a major confidence booster. My initial role at GeeksForLess was as a junior developer, which was incredibly motivating. I was fortunate to work alongside senior developers who were patient and willing to mentor me. This experience provided me with valuable insights into how real projects operate.
It sounds like GeeksForLess provided an excellent learning environment. Can you share more about the projects you’ve been involved in and how they shaped your career?
Oleksandr: Certainly! I worked on various projects, including one with Goalline, where I continued as a junior developer. Goalline was a company with a wide array of products, and at one point, I was working on two projects simultaneously for a month. I’ve had the privilege of working with different managers with unique approaches.
One standout project was with a Canadian company, where we started from scratch. We were free to use the latest technologies, like Angular 2 and ASP.NET MVC, which was both challenging and rewarding.
Your journey so far is quite diverse. How did you continue to improve your English skills as your career progressed?
Oleksandr: As I advanced in my career, my English skills became increasingly important, especially when dealing with English-speaking clients. My manager advised me to work on my English, and it proved invaluable during a project with a client from Israel. This project had very specific requirements, requiring me to adapt to both the language and cultural differences, which was a significant challenge but pushed me to grow.
Mentorship, Learning, and Advancement: Furthering Expertise
Can you share more about some of the other projects you’ve worked on?
Oleksandr: Certainly! I worked on a project that involved custom printing various products, such as mugs, t-shirts, and posters, where my focus shifted toward product support. I also had the opportunity to work on a banking project with a complex infrastructure, where understanding the intricacies of the code was sometimes a day-long challenge.
Upon returning to Goalline, my skills had improved significantly, and I was no longer a junior developer. I became an experienced developer with more responsibilities and communication, further enhancing my English proficiency.
We also launched projects for Volkswagen Canada, Audi Canada, VW US, Kia Canada, and Hyundai Canada. These collaborations have been incredibly rewarding, and I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities they bring.
It’s impressive how you continued to grow throughout your journey. What were some of the unique challenges you faced as your role evolved?
Oleksandr: One of the most significant challenges was when I was assigned as a team lead. It was a new level of responsibility, as I had to make decisions that could impact the project’s future. I had to shift from being solely a developer to thinking globally and addressing issues proactively.
Another challenge involved optimizing the performance of our applications. I had to balance architectural perfection with efficiency. Sometimes, I had to prioritize efficiency over aesthetics, which required a shift in my perspective.
How would you prioritize efficiency in this case?
Oleksandr: The challenge was not just about writing code but about ensuring the application worked lightning-fast. It forced me to reevaluate my perception of development. In the past, I would prioritize architectural elegance and perfection. However, this time, I had to prioritize speed and efficiency. It was a mental shift because I had to let go of the idea that everything had to be aesthetically perfect from an architectural standpoint. Sometimes, you have to make the choice between pretty and efficient, and efficiency becomes the priority.
Final Words of Wisdom: Embracing Growth and Leadership
What advice would you offer to aspiring developers based on your incredible journey?
Oleksandr: Great question! To aspiring developers: Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, be open to learning from every experience, and never underestimate the power of perseverance. It’s essential to balance the pursuit of perfection with the need for efficiency, especially in today’s fast-paced IT world. Lastly, don’t be afraid to step into leadership roles when the opportunity arises – it’s where you truly discover your potential.
Thank you, Oleksandr, for those valuable insights. Your advice is both practical and inspiring. We appreciate your time and wisdom today, and we’re excited to see where your journey at GeeksForLess takes you next!
