Successful internship stories at Stenik, interview #10 - Bozhidar Hristov: “With enough determination, you can achieve anything.”
Sometimes a professional path doesn't begin with a clearly defined direction, but with a strong desire for growth. Such is the story of our colleague - Bozhidar, whom we’ll introduce to you today. We believe his interview will inspire you to pursue new achievements and strengthen your belief that one can boldly embark on new horizons and challenges, as long as there is the will to learn and grow.
You can explore more inspiring interviews and stories of our other colleagues in our feature “Successful Intern Stories at Stenik.”
Face to face with Bozhidar Hristov
Bozho is 25 years old. He completed his higher education abroad – at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, majoring in International Business. He decided to return to Bulgaria to grow professionally and build his future here – in his homeland. Over time, he discovered his passion for programming and started learning in this new and exciting field in his free time.
Bozho likes to spend time with his family and friends after the workday ends. Sometimes he works on personal projects that inspire him, and in his spare time, he enjoys playing football.
His motto is: "With enough determination, you can achieve anything."
>> Hi Bozho! Had you heard about Stenik before applying for the internship? How did you find out about the internship?
I learned about the internship from my former employer, who recommended Stenik as an excellent company for professional development and gaining hands-on experience. After exploring the company’s portfolio, I was deeply impressed by the variety and scale of the projects the Stenik team had completed, which motivated me to apply for a position in the company.
>> What path have you taken at Stenik and what has been your career development so far (the position you currently hold)?
I started at Stenik as an Ecommerce Support Specialist intern. While working, I continued to develop my interest in programming, and at the same time, the company began actively expanding into mobile application development. After successfully completing the internship, I expressed my desire to join the app development team, for which I received support from the management to train and grow as a Flutter Developer. Here I want to thank the management at Stenik – Stefan, Niki, and Mitko, who placed great trust in me and invested in my development as a Flutter Developer. Thanks to their support, I had the opportunity to undergo additional training, as the company provided time and resources for learning, which helped me acquire new skills. I gradually transitioned fully into the role of a developer, initially still supporting some of the projects I had previously been involved in. Over time, as I delved deeper into mobile applications, I focused entirely on Flutter development. This transitional phase was extremely important for my professional growth and allowed me to adapt to my new role.
>> What knowledge did you have at the start of the internship?
I had an education in international business and basic technical knowledge.
>> Who was your mentor and what did you learn from him?
During my internship, my mentor was Todor Minev, from whom I learned a great deal about working with Magento, task management, and effective client communication.
Additionally, all the colleagues in the team I worked with were helpful and ready to assist with any difficulties. Much of the knowledge and skills I acquired are thanks to them. Special thanks to Yuli for his professionalism and patience, which helped me adapt and grow in the new environment. It was a real pleasure working with such a motivated and skilled team. I use the word "was" because I am no longer part of that department. While working as an Ecommerce Support Specialist, I continued to nurture my passion for programming, and in the meantime, the company was successfully entering a new domain – namely, mobile app development. That was the reason why, after completing my internship, I expressed my desire to move to the mobile application development team.
My Flutter Developer mentor is Stoyan Tinchev, who is always there to help me. He not only provides valuable guidance on technical questions but also shares best practices and strategies. He helps me solve problems I encounter during mobile app development. Stoyan shows me how to approach tasks systematically and efficiently, explaining how to optimize code and avoid common mistakes. We often discuss different architectural approaches and techniques that are essential for app performance and sustainability. Thanks to his help and knowledge, I’ve been able to dive deeper into the technologies we use and feel confident in my role as a Flutter Developer.
>> What are your main responsibilities in this position?
My main responsibilities in this role include the development of new mobile applications. I am also responsible for maintaining existing apps, which involves resolving issues, performing optimizations, and ensuring compatibility with new operating system versions. Additionally, we enhance app functionalities by implementing improvements that meet our clients’ needs.
>> What motivates you the most at Stenik?
My greatest motivation at Stenik is the variety of tasks and client requirements. Each new task presents unique challenges that allow me to expand my knowledge and skills. I’m also motivated by the great environment for professional development, the positive work atmosphere, and the opportunity to express my ideas and suggestions.
>> What projects are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on the development and maintenance of B2C mobile apps for our clients: Douglas, Teodor, and Tehnomix.
>> Which colleagues (departments) do you communicate with most frequently?
As a Flutter developer, I communicate actively with the Project Management team to discuss the status of current tasks and project progress. I also work closely with the Design department to ensure the apps’ visual experience meets the users’ expectations and needs.
>> What does a typical workday look like?
My workday starts with reviewing the priority tasks for the day, based on the current projects. Throughout the day, my main focus is app development, making sure I meet deadlines and ensure the code quality.
>> What skills and qualities are necessary for this profession (your current role)?
The most important quality, in my opinion, is the willingness to constantly develop, to keep learning, and to adapt to new technologies to stay up to date in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
>> How do you maintain your knowledge and qualifications?
I keep up with the latest trends and developments in mobile app technology by exploring new tools and technologies that I can apply in my work.
>> What are your goals at Stenik and in your career?
My goals at Stenik are to continue developing my technical skills and work on increasingly complex and innovative projects. I strive to grow as a Flutter Developer and, over time, expand my responsibilities by taking on new roles and projects.
>> How do you manage work-life balance at Stenik?
Thanks to the ability to work from home, I maintain a healthy work-life balance and manage to combine work with personal commitments. After work, I have enough time for myself and to spend with loved ones, which is important for me to remain satisfied both professionally and personally.
>> What is your advice to future interns in the digital industry in a similar position?
My advice is to be ambitious and proactive. Express your opinion and seek new opportunities for improvement. It's important to keep developing, learn new technologies and practices, and strive for constant improvement. Be ready to take initiative and actively engage in projects.
Would you like to be part of Stenik’s vibrant team?
Learn more about working with us and our daily life in the video “Behind the Scenes at Stenik,” where our managers share their personal stories. Discover more about the different career paths in our video series eCommerce Professions, where six of our colleagues share about their work and growth at the company.
In the article “Career at Stenik – Where to Begin?” you’ll find out what opportunities we offer and how we strive to build a sustainable and motivated team in the long run. Learn more about our internship program.
Don’t miss the upcoming inspiring stories from the “Successful Intern Stories” series – you’ll get to know the experiences of young professionals taking their first steps with us and developing their skills in a real working environment. See you soon!
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