Win-Win for Students and Tech Business: How the Lviv IT Cluster’s Educational Initiatives Help in Finding Quality Talent

The tech industry’s development is impossible without attracting young talent. That’s why, for the past nine years, Lviv IT Cluster has been working on creating educational initiatives that motivate young people to find their calling in the tech world. One of these initiatives is the Students Talent Expo networking event, held as part of the IT Expert project. The event aims to help talented students land their first job in tech while allowing companies to strengthen their teams with the best professionals.

Below, we’ll share the success story of a student who secured her dream job after participating in the Students Talent Expo.

Vira Rybak had dreamed of a tech career since high school. That’s why she chose to study in the Business Analytics & Data Science bachelor’s program at Lviv Polytechnic — one of 19 educational programs modernized by the Lviv IT Cluster. In May 2024, she participated in the Students Talent Expo networking event organized by our association. The event allowed attendees to engage in interactive activities, insightful workshops, and masterclasses. They also had the opportunity to showcase their skills during a speed-dating interview for the Trainee UI/UX Designer position at Brainstack.

“I really wanted to attend the Brainstack interactive session, but the number of spots was limited, and I couldn’t register in time. However, I approached the company’s representatives and asked about their career opportunities. They offered me a test assignment, and I was able to complete it successfully thanks to my prior experience in UI/UX design while working on a university team project. Soon after, Brainstack representatives invited me to join their team,” says Vira Rybak, a third-year BA & Data Science student at Lviv Polytechnic National University and a Junior UI/UX Designer at Brainstack.

Vira’s determination impressed the company’s experts. According to Brainstack’s recruiter, her openness, communication skills, and ability to articulate her thoughts were crucial in the hiring decision.

“There’s no doubt that Students Talent Expo is an incredibly effective approach to finding new talent. I set a personal record during the event — conducting over 40 interviews in one day! I was amazed by the number of motivated students eager to grow in the tech field, with clear career aspirations and confidence when engaging with potential employers. We received many high-quality test assignments and met students willing to invest time and effort into their professional development. Selecting only one candidate was a challenge, but we finally chose Vira. We truly value proactive individuals,” — shares Diana Kudymenko, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Brainstack.

“Brainstack is grateful to Lviv IT Cluster for the opportunity to participate in the event. Today, Vira is an integral part of our design team, and we wouldn’t have met her without this initiative. The Students Talent Expo is a fantastic event format because we connected with motivated, forward-thinking young talents full of fresh ideas and boundless energy. For us, it was a great opportunity to introduce the next generation to our values and corporate culture,” — adds Kyryl Diatlyk, Head of Design at Brainstack.

On April 11, the networking event will return in a new format and under a new name — IT Future Fest 2025. This time, the event will bring together not only students but also high school students, tech company representatives, and educators.

“Our main goal is to create an environment where every participant feels part of the tech community, meets like-minded people, and builds a strong network. Close collaboration between industry professionals and young people is critical in developing future leaders. High school students exploring career paths will have a unique chance to meet representatives of higher education institutions, learn about admission requirements, get insights from students, and see career prospects in various tech companies. At the same time, university students will learn about career opportunities at top tech companies, make valuable connections, and present themselves as promising professionals. For companies, IT Future Fest 2025 is an excellent opportunity to enhance their CSR strategy and strengthen employer branding,” explains Julia Tsymbala, Education Lead at Lviv IT Cluster.

If your company is interested in supporting young specialists and strengthening its employer brand, consider becoming an IT Future Fest 2025 partner. For all details, contact Julia Tsymbala, Education Lead at Lviv IT Cluster: [email protected].