Success stories at Stenik, interview #7 - Stoyko Brandiyski: "Never stop developing yourself, no matter how hard it is!"
The next participant in our "Successful Internship Stories" series is Stoyko Brandiyski, a Back-end Developer at Stenik. He shared his journey as an intern at Stenik and how the experience he gained helped him grow in the field of back-end development.
If you missed the previous interviews, we highly recommend checking out the inspiring internship stories of our other colleagues who have participated in the series.
Face to face with Stoyko Brandiyski
Stoyko is 23 years old from Plovdiv and holds a bachelor's degree in "Business Information Technologies" from Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv. Currently, he successfully combines his job with a master's degree in "Software Technologies with a specialization in Mobile Systems and Applications" at the same university. Working remotely from his hometown, he effectively applies the knowledge gained through his education in a real work environment.
His motto is: "Never stop developing yourself, no matter how hard it is!"
>> Stoyko, hello! Tell us what attracted you to Stenik? Had you heard of the company before applying for an internship?
To be honest, I hadn’t heard of Stenik before applying. I was actively looking for internships related to PHP, and that’s how I came across the company. I found out about it on the university’s website. I saw that they were looking for an intern with knowledge of PHP and MySQL and thought it was a good fit for me.
>> What knowledge did you have at the beginning of your internship?
I had basic knowledge of algorithms, data structures, and object-oriented programming. I also had solid experience with C# technologies.
>> Who was your mentor and what did you learn from him?
My mentor was Nikolay Dimitrov. He helped me gain a lot of knowledge about Magento, PHP, and general programming concepts. He showed me how to work easily and effectively with tools in the field (Docker, Git).
>> What path have you taken at Stenik and what is your career development up to this point?
I started as an intern. It took some time to adapt to Magento. Gradually, I mastered the right concepts and started working on larger and more complex tasks. After successfully completing my internship and training, I was offered a full-time position as a Back-end Developer, which I currently hold.
>> What are your main responsibilities in this position?
My main responsibilities include resolving issues and cases on projects, creating integrations between websites and mobile applications, as well as upgrading certain functionalities.
>> What motivates you most at Stenik?
I’m inspired by the dynamic nature of the work, the opportunity to do what I love, and the ability to grow by learning new things every day. Also, the team is amazing, which makes the work even more enjoyable and fulfilling.
>> What projects are you currently working on?
I’m currently working mainly on the online stores: Douglas, Brannik, and other online stores in development, while also receiving small tasks on other projects.
>> Which colleagues/departments do you communicate with the most?
I primarily work with Project Managers and the technical support team to discuss task specifics. When I need an additional opinion on the right solution for a task, I consult with colleagues from the DEV team.
>> What does a typical workday look like for you?
My workday starts with the highest priority tasks based on directions from the Project Managers and support colleagues. Also, with the DEV team, we often share cool features or useful tools with each other.
>> How do you maintain your knowledge and qualifications?
Daily tasks are far from enough to build up knowledge. I constantly stay informed and try out new techniques and tools in my free time. I have a step-by-step list for them, prioritized accordingly.
>> What are your goals at Stenik and in your career?
My goal is to continue building on my knowledge and developing my programming skills so that I can be even more useful and open to every innovation in my work.
>> How do you maintain a work-life balance at Stenik?
I try to manage my time well in order to be as productive as possible during the workday.
>> What skills and qualities are necessary to work as a Back-end Developer?
It’s important to have analytical thinking, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills. The ability to quickly adapt and the desire for continuous development are also essential. The main technical requirements include knowledge of PHP (specifically Magento), object-oriented programming (OOP), and databases (MySQL). Experience in the JavaScript world is also recommended.
>> What advice would you give to future interns in the digital field in a similar position?
My advice is: Never stop developing yourself by enriching your knowledge and skills, even when facing difficulties, and remember that obstacles define our path to meaningful progress.
Stoyko Brandiyski
Do you want to be part of Stenik's vibrant team?
If you want to learn more about career opportunities at Stenik, read the article "Career at Stenik – Where to Start?", which provides detailed information on the differences between the two main career paths within the company. It will also give you insight into what working at Stenik is like and how we build and develop our team in the long term. Don’t miss the other episodes of the "Successful Internship Stories" series, where you can find inspiration from the journeys of young professionals who are constantly growing and advancing. Learn more about our current internship programs.
For those who want to learn more about us as a team and as a company, we recommend watching the film "Behind the Scenes at Stenik", in which our managers share interesting stories about our daily work. Don’t miss the eCommerce Professions video series, where 6 of our colleagues talk about their roles and career paths at Stenik. Stay tuned for a new episode of our internship stories series coming soon!
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