Students Talent Expo: A Start in Tech for Beginners

On May 16, on Vyshyvanka Day, Lviv IT Cluster brought together talented students and potential employers at the Students Talent Expo. About 2,000 students from the city’s top universities, aspiring to work in the tech industry, participated in the networking event. All of them are enrolled in bachelor’s programs supported by our community. Experienced specialists from over 30 Lviv IT Cluster member companies shared career opportunities with the students.

According to IT Research Ukraine 2023, junior specialists make up 14% of the total number of tech talents in Ukraine. These are beginners who are just starting their journey in the tech industry. Due to the lack of experience and intense competition, such candidates find it the hardest to secure their desired positions.

Meanwhile, 56% of surveyed HR specialists mentioned looking for Junior-level professionals. Although the entry requirements for these candidates are very high, employers pay attention to personal qualities, which can sometimes be decisive in the selection process.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a student or not. We are ready to collaborate with you if you are ambitious and passionate about your work. Be curious, able to accept challenges, and don’t be afraid to say ‘yes.’ This will allow you to gain a wide range of experiences,” explains Oleksii Nishchyk, Education Operations Director at Genesis.

Recruiters note that to stand out among hundreds of competitors, one must also master the art of self-presentation.

“It’s important to know how to present yourself. Practice attending various interviews, even if you don’t plan to work at a specific company. When you finally come across your dream job, you’ll be less nervous,” advises Liliya Kostyshyn, Talent Acquisition Specialist at N-iX.

Nearly half of IT specialists started working or interning at a company during their studies, typically from the third year.

“It’s important not only to know the theory but also to have hands-on experience. I recommend looking for trainee programs and developing under the guidance of a mentor while working on real projects,” adds Serge Yerin, COO of It-Jim.

Lviv IT Cluster is actively working on creating educational projects that motivate the younger generation to find their calling in the tech world. Without young talents, it is impossible to imagine the further development of the tech sector. Through the networking event Students Talent Expo, we aim to help talented students find their first jobs and help companies strengthen their teams with the best specialists.

Students participated in valuable interactive sessions to prepare for their first interviews. Conscensia provided insights on how to craft a quality CV that would capture an employer’s interest. Specialists from N-iX taught the art of self-presentation, while Sombra advised on what not to say during an interview. Throughout the day, experts from Brainstack_ conducted mock interviews with students from Lviv Polytechnic and the Academy of Arts for the position of Trainee UI/UX Designer. Representatives from Renesas Electronics prepared an interactive session for those interested in electronics. The most active workshop participants received branded gifts from the companies.

Overall, as part of its educational projects, Lviv IT Cluster has developed and modernized 19 bachelor’s programs at four Lviv universities. These programs cover all major areas of the tech industry, from graphic design to electronics. Over 4,500 students have the opportunity to work on their own projects under the guidance of experienced mentors, professionals from the tech industry. The most promising ideas are turned into startups and attract initial funding.

Students Talent Expo general partner: Neoversity. 

Gold partners: Sombra, It-Jim, Genesis, Brainstack_, Renesas Electronics.

Silver partners: N-iX and Conscensia.