Sardor Khujaev shared insights about his journey into IT, his first job, the challenges he faced, and valuable advice for beginners in the field.
About me
I studied IT at Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent. Currently, I work as a team lead in the Kapital Lab project at Uzum Technologies, where we focus on the digital transformation of Kapitalbank, the largest private bank in Uzbekistan.
My interest in programming started at the age of 15-16. My love for solving mathematical problems naturally transitioned into programming. I began with HTML, CSS, and PHP, later mastering C++ and practicing competitive programming on Codeforces.
Over time, I became fascinated by robotics. The strong technical foundation at Turin Polytechnic University drew me in, and receiving a scholarship made my decision to study there even easier. In my first year, I actively engaged in robotics projects and even attended a summer school in South Korea. Later, I started sharing my knowledge by teaching robotics.
My first job in IT
I started my IT career during my second year of university, when I joined the R&D center of Akfa while simultaneously teaching robotics at the Westminster International University in Tashkent’s lyceum.
At 19-20 years old, I started at Akfa as a junior engineer, which was an exciting and diverse experience. I worked on mobile applications for equipment diagnostics, computer vision systems for defect detection, and AGV warehouse robots. My responsibilities included programming robot logic in Python and C++, working with the Robot Operating System (ROS), and developing Android applications. The R&D center at Akfa became my personal engineering laboratory, where I learned to take responsibility and master new technologies in real-world projects.
I got into Akfa through a friend who had received a scholarship from the company and worked in their R&D center. He told me about the exciting projects in robotics and automation, which were rare opportunities in Uzbekistan. I asked him to recommend me, and after a couple of months, I had forgotten about it until I unexpectedly received a call for an interview.
At that time, I only knew Akfa as a manufacturer of windows and doors, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they had a strong R&D division. This became a key factor in my decision to join them. During the interview, I spoke with Denis Yermalaev, the head of the R&D engineering department, who later became my mentor. He asked about my projects in robotics, the technologies I had used, and how I approached problem-solving. They also assessed my knowledge of programming, electronics, design, and CAD tools.
I didn’t prepare specifically for the interview—I simply shared my experience, knowledge, and projects. I believe what mattered most to them was my passion and willingness to learn. Since I had no prior professional experience, I “sold” my strong academic background, robotics projects, participation in hackathons and competitions, and teaching experience. These achievements became my unique value proposition, which helped me secure the job.
Challenges I faced
Since my entry into IT happened unexpectedly, I didn’t face significant difficulties in landing my first job. I believe my active engagement at university played a key role—I didn’t just study hard and develop technical skills, but I also participated in projects, competitions, and initiatives where I could apply my knowledge in practice.
At the junior level, I barely faced rejections. However, when I started applying for mid-level and higher positions, the challenges became much greater. I faced frequent interview failures, but I treated them as feedback. Every rejection helped me identify my weaknesses, and instead of feeling discouraged, I focused on what needed improvement. This mindset helped me grow and gradually level up my skills.
At Akfa, my biggest challenge was uncertainty. Every new project required skills I didn’t have at the time, and there were few mentors available. For instance, when developing an AGV warehouse robot, we had to design everything from scratch—the blueprint, budget, and technical solutions. Of course, there was no ready-made manual. We redesigned the robot three times before it finally worked. I gained most of my knowledge from forums like Stack Overflow, industry-specific communities, and advice from acquaintances. Over time, I learned to handle uncertainty and developed the confidence that “No matter what, I will figure it out!”—a mindset that became my foundation for future success.
One of the biggest challenges at the start of a career is figuring out what you want and how to present it effectively. When you lack experience, it’s hard to convince employers that you can solve real-world problems. Companies often look for experience, even for positions advertised as entry-level. This leads to the common paradox where junior roles require mid-level skills and years of experience.
To overcome this, I focused on learning ability and real-world engagement—academic projects, hackathons, teaching, and competitions. These activities helped me build a portfolio that demonstrated not just my technical knowledge, but also my adaptability, problem-solving skills, and ability to follow through on projects.
3 Key tips for getting a job in IT
- Develop your soft skills: Master teamwork, time management, adaptability, and the ability to learn quickly.
- Expand your network: Participate in hackathons, meetups, and conferences, and don’t hesitate to talk about your projects.
- Secure your first job as early as possible: But be mindful of unfair conditions—avoid companies that make big promises but don’t offer real growth. If you lack experience, work on personal projects, experiment with new technologies, and showcase your enthusiasm and motivation.
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