A new job, a promotion, a pay raise – but what should education actually deliver?

In a competitive and fast-changing job market, with shifting business priorities and ongoing economic challenges, the demand for IT professionals in Ukraine remains consistently high. Yet one key question remains: what should effective IT education really deliver?  Hillel IT School, one of Ukraine’s leading digital skills institutions, set out to explore this through a recent survey of its students and graduates. The results highlight key motivations, concerns, and — most importantly — real outcomes.

Survey overview

The study included 787 respondents who studied at Hillel IT School during 2024–2025.
Participants ranged in age from 23 to 42 and included both newcomers to IT and professionals already working in the industry who chose to upskill.

78% of graduates land their first job in IT in less than six months

• 31% are hired within the first 3 months after completing their course
  
• 47% get their first offer between 3 to 6 months after graduation
  
• 22% take more than 6 months to find a role — most by choice, due to changing locations, continuing their university studies, or combining work with further training

The fastest job placements occur in data analytics, front-end, SMM, internet marketing, full-stack, and QA. Students often begin applying for jobs before they finish their course—supported by practical, mentor-led programs like the Hillel Reality Program and Web for Brand (in partnership with Diia.Business).

Education as a career upgrade — not just a career switch

For many students, IT education is not about changing professions, but increasing their market value, growing their skills, and unlocking internal career growth.

• 72% of students already working in IT reported an income increase of $200–400 after completing their program
  
• 63% received a salary raise averaging 12% within 4–6 months after graduation
  
• 21% were promoted or given more responsibility within their teams
  
• 8 out of 10 students said the course significantly boosted their confidence and sense of professional competence
  

These outcomes reflect a structured approach: personalized career support, job interview prep, real project experience, and course content aligned with market needs.

Hillel IT School 

• 70,000+ graduates since 2012
  
• 45+ current courses updated regularly to match industry demand
  
• 100+ partner companies offering internships and jobs
  
• Recognized by multiple awards, including Best School for Programming and QA (Ukrainian Business Award)

A practical investment that delivers real results Demand continues to grow for short, hands-on training formats. Today’s employers need specialists who are ready to work from day one — and that’s what Hillel IT School provides. Here, education isn’t about chasing a diploma. It’s about gaining skills and producing results.

“We don’t just train specialists — we help people confidently enter the market and grow within it,” says Vadym Dromov, CEO and co-founder of Hillel IT School.

With over 70,000 graduates, Hillel ranks among the top 3 most popular IT schools in Ukraine, according to the “Digital Tiger: The Power of Ukrainian IT – 2023” report by the IT Ukraine Association. The school continues to grow its network of hiring partners — helping match candidates with the right companies. Corporations, NGOs, and foundations across various industries — banking, insurance, retail, agriculture, healthcare, telecom — choose Hillel to train their teams. Dozens of organizations rely on its corporate training programs to quickly close skills gaps and strengthen their workforce.