Interviews Project-Based Learning

Wojtek Ślusarczyk Passes a Job Interview Thanks to JetBrains Academy

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This interview with Wojtek Ślusarczyk, a Software Tester at Nokia, begins our series of interviews with people inspired to learn programming through JetBrains Academy.

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Wojtek Ślusarczyk, Software Tester at Nokia
“When preparing for the technical interview, I decided to focus solely on JetBrains Academy. It had everything I needed to learn Python — step-by-step guidance in creating applications, all the background information for the necessary theoretical concepts, and lots of practice. I leveraged this knowledge to pass the job interview for a Software Tester position at Nokia.”

Check out Wojtek’s success story on Reddit

— Hi Wojtek! Could you please start by telling us a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming a Python Software Tester?

Before becoming a Software Tester, I was studying Mechanical Engineering, a discipline that combines math and physics, but not programming. When I was finishing my studies, I realized that the subject I had been studying for so long was not something I would like to continue doing for the rest of my life. I decided to try something different and became interested in software testing. So when the pandemic forced me to stay home, I took the opportunity to make the change. Since Python is a great language for test automation, I decided to start there.

— How did you start learning Python?

First, I started by trying to learn Python on my own with no set course or anything. I jumped from Python course to Python course, watched numerous Youtube channels, and read books about programming, always looking for something that would be both helpful and effective. Eventually, I came across JetBrains Academy. I saw that the people who were using it were leaving positive reviews about their learning experience and decided to try the Python Developer track for myself, as I had been doing with the many other courses I had already tried.

— Did the Python Developer track meet your expectations?

It exceeded them! The Python Developer track in JetBrains Academy, as it turned out, was not just another course, but a really unique one. It has a clear course structure, exciting projects, and the content was really high quality. It helped me actually enjoy programming while learning more about it. What’s more, I liked the idea that the more projects you complete, the stronger your developer portfolio becomes. I think it is very important for anyone who is looking for a job in programming.

— How did the Python skills you learned in JetBrains Academy help you get a job as a Python Software Tester at Nokia?

When preparing for the technical interview, I decided to focus solely on JetBrains Academy. It had everything I needed to learn Python — step-by-step guidance in creating applications, all the background information for the necessary theoretical concepts, and lots of practice. I leveraged this knowledge to pass the job interview for a Software Tester position at Nokia.

— Glad to hear it! How do you like programming in Python?

I really like it. Programming in Python gives me a lot of satisfaction. For example, when I finished each stage of the Simple Banking System project with JetBrains Academy, I got that amazing feeling that something I programmed actually works. It brings me a lot of happiness! Now, at work, it is maybe a bit different, but I still enjoy the process. I know that I am doing something I really like.

— What’s your advice to anyone thinking about starting to learn programming?

I think that one of the most important things is patience. When you start doing something new, you may feel like it’s too complicated and may even give up. But with patience and regular practice comes confidence and expertise. Another piece of advice is to not be afraid to look for help and ask questions. This really helped me with my learning.

We’d like to thank Wojtek for sharing his learning experience with us. We are very proud to see everything you have accomplished!

If you use JetBrains Academy and would like to share your learning journey too, please let us know by leaving a comment below.

The JetBrains Academy team

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