From night owl learner to developer at a Latvian company: Story of a Front-end course graduate

Driver, loader, manager, delivery man — I did it all

I ran a family-owned toy company before becoming a developer. My role there was quite diverse, and I did many different things, such as working in the warehouse, delivering goods, and managing tasks. In other words, I was a jack of all trades. However, when the pandemic hit and the store had to close, my financial situation became challenging. This led me to consider changing jobs, and I was drawn to the tech industry because of its flexible schedules and remote work options. I started researching different courses and job opportunities, but I needed more knowledge about the field. Fortunately, a friend recommended the Academy to me, and he praised its high-quality education. He had studied and worked in other tech schools and bootcamps, so his recommendation meant a lot. After comparing multiple programs and benefits, I decided to enroll in the Front-end development course at the Academy.

My Beetroot Academy experience

I started my studies during a difficult time, but I persevered and completed my course in the summer of 2023. The Academy exceeded my expectations, and I was fortunate to have a talented and passionate teacher who always went above and beyond by providing additional information and activities to enhance the main program. Additionally, having a group coordinator who was always available to assist me with any organizational issues was great. I'm grateful for the merchandise I received from the Academy, which still cheers me up, and I often wear the T-shirt.

Work by day, study by night

During my time at the Academy, I created a LinkedIn profile and followed all the advice on how to find a job. But despite actively following job sites, I found nothing suitable. After three months, I decided to seek advice from my teacher. I proposed the idea of switching to freelancing, but he offered me something better. He suggested that I take additional training in Angular and work with him on his projects.

I studied for a month and began completing tasks assigned by my teacher. Since it wasn't a full-time job, I continued to work in a warehouse during the day. At night, I devoted my time to mastering the new framework and working on the proposed projects. My teacher was strict with my results and often asked me to correct or redo them, which helped me to develop my skills. I also continued to deepen my knowledge of the topics we studied in the course. JavaScript is a continuously evolving field, and there are always updates or unknown things. So, I read articles and practiced on my own.

My teacher's assignments were the key to my employment

After working with my teacher for six months, I became proficient in Angular. I was eager to find a job, and when I saw a job posting for an Angular developer at a small Latvian company called eWave, I submitted my resume. I completed the test, and a recruiter contacted me to schedule a technical interview. I later found out that they had selected ten candidates out of 100+ applicants, and I was among the top three. After the technical interview, I was offered a position in their company, which I gladly accepted. I am still working here as a full-stack developer and am gradually moving towards the middle level. The head of the company speaks with high regard about his experience with Ukrainian employees and notes the high level of knowledge and quality of work.

My tips for aspiring Front-end developers

First and foremost, It's important to keep learning even if you think you understand everything about JavaScript. This technology is vast, and there is always something new to learn. Additionally, there are many frameworks and approaches to consider.

Second, when preparing for a technical interview, it's important to focus on your technical skills in addition to your soft skills. While communication and time management are essential, it's equally important to demonstrate your technical proficiency. It's a good idea to practice and improve your technical skills beforehand.

And lastly, make sure that your resume is well-written and tailored to the job you're applying for. Recruiters look at hundreds of resumes, so yours must stand out as a reflection of your technical expertise. Be sure to include relevant keywords and follow a clear structure. You can also seek advice from Academy faculty and career counselors to help you craft the perfect resume.