In the new interview as part of our "Successful Intern Stories" series, we'll introduce you to a young and ambitious Back-end programmer from the Stenik team - Nikolay Nedyalkov. He shared his inspiring story of his career path, growth, and his constant pursuit of improvement in the field of programming.
If you missed the previous interviews, I strongly recommend getting acquainted with the first two inspiring stories of Yulian and Nikola. Julian shared his experience from an intern to the position Support Specialist & Assistant PM at Stenik, while Nikola shared his career journey and development as a Front-End programmer in our team.
Face to Face with Nikolay Nedyalkov
Nikolay is a 24-year-old from Plovdiv and holds a bachelor's degree in "Software Engineering" from Paisii Hilendarski University. Currently, he successfully balances his work at Stenik with pursuing a master's degree in "Software Technologies with Specialization in Mobile Systems and Applications" again at Paisii Hilendarski University. To manage the balance between work and studies in different cities, Nikolay works remotely. His biggest hobbies are fishing, fitness, and spending time with friends.
His motto is: "Be who you've always wanted to be and never settle for less!" - Richard Branson
>> Nikolay, hello! Tell us what attracted you to Stenik? Had you heard about the company before applying for the internship?
To be honest, before applying for an internship at Stenik, I hadn't heard about the company. The job listing on Jobs.bg impressed me, and I decided to send my application.
>> What knowledge did you have at the beginning of the internship?
At the beginning of the internship, I had knowledge mainly in C++, Java, C#, and PHP. Before the internship, I had completed internships organized by the Ministry of Education and Science, which helped me find my first internship, where I delved into PHP and Symfony.
>> Who was your mentor, and what did you learn from them?
My mentor was Nikolay Dimitrov. Thanks to him, I gained a lot of knowledge about Magento, PHP, and programming concepts in general. Even to this day, he's always available if I have questions.
>> What path have you taken in Stenik, and what is your career development up to this point?
My career path at Stenik started as an intern. At first, I needed time to adapt to Magento, but gradually I started receiving larger and more complex tasks. After the internship, I received a permanent position offer - Back-end Developer, which I still hold today.
>> What are your main responsibilities in this position?
My main responsibilities include synchronizing products and orders with inventory software, creating and upgrading specific functionalities, and resolving issues and cases that arise in projects.
>> What motivates you the most at Stenik?
Aside from my motivation to learn new things every day, I'm also motivated by the fact that I work in a very close-knit team. I never imagined I'd be in a place where people are always ready to help and support you.
>> What projects are you currently working on?
Currently, I'm mainly working on the online stores O plus and S&D, but I also receive smaller tasks to ensure the smooth execution of other projects.
>> With which colleagues or departments do you communicate most frequently?
I most frequently communicate with Project Managers and colleagues from the technical support department to discuss task details and specifics. When I have questions or I'm unsure about the correct solution, I consult with someone from the DEV team.
>> How does a typical workday unfold?
I start my day with a cup of coffee and then focus on the priority tasks defined by Project Managers and colleagues from the support department. I work closely with fellow programmers, sharing ideas and finding solutions to challenges.
>> How do you maintain your knowledge and qualifications?
Mainly through my dedicated work, but that alone isn't enough. I keep my knowledge up to date with the latest trends and technologies by using my free time for self-education.
>> What are your goals at Stenik and in your career?
My goals are to continually improve as a programmer and to be able to help others enter the world of programming.
>> How do you manage the work-life balance at Stenik?
Balancing work and personal life at Stenik isn't a challenge. Understanding from the team and management, along with the flexibility of workplace and time, are key to this. We have healthy work practices that help us achieve success while enjoying personal interests, and time with family, and friends.
>> What skills and qualities are necessary to work as a Back-end programmer?
To succeed in this role, it's important to understand object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts, have knowledge of PHP, particularly in Magento, and possess good database skills (MySQL). Additionally, having knowledge of JavaScript is beneficial.
>> What advice do you have for future interns in the digital industry for a similar position?
Be persistent, give your all, and strive to achieve all your goals. Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek help from your colleagues. Make use of self-learning opportunities and be prepared to continuously develop yourself. Remember to enjoy the process and celebrate every success on your path to career growth. Nikolay Nedyalkov
Do you want to be part of the fresh Stenik team?
To receive additional information about career opportunities at Stenik, read the article "Career at Stenik - Where to Begin?", which provides more information about the difference between the two development directions, offers more details about the work in the company, and how we foster our team's long-term growth. Don't forget to follow the other episodes of our series "Successful Intern Stories", where you'll have the chance to be inspired by the stories of young and talented professionals who continuously develop and flourish. Learn more about our current internship programs.
For the most intriguing moments, you can watch the video "Behind the Scenes at Stenik", where our leaders share many interesting stories about our work. Take a peek into the video series "eCommerce Professions", where 6 of our colleagues talk about their fields. Don't miss the upcoming episode of our intern stories series. Expect it soon!
