In June 2024 I graduated from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science — four years that shaped the way I think about software, security, and problem-solving.
Why Computer Science
I entered university in 2020 right after finishing the Ukrainian Leadership Academy. The academy taught me how to lead and think critically; the CS program gave me the technical toolkit to actually build things. It felt like a natural next step — turning ideas into working code.
What I Studied
The curriculum was broad and hands-on. Over four years I covered:
- Programming fundamentals — Python, C++, C#
- Databases — PostgreSQL, relational design, SQL
- Network security and cryptography (including DES)
- Applied mathematics and algorithms
- Unix systems and Bash scripting
- Software engineering principles and design patterns
Network security stood out as one of my favorite areas — understanding how systems can be attacked and defended gave me a different perspective on writing reliable software.
Working While Studying
By my second year I started working as a Python Developer at Movadex, building CRM systems for finance enterprises and financial transaction platforms. Balancing a full-time job with university was tough, but it gave me something lectures alone couldn't — real production experience with Flask, FastAPI, and actual clients depending on my code.
By the time I graduated, I had three years of professional experience under my belt and had even led a development team for a year. The combination of academic theory and daily production work made me a much stronger engineer than either path would have alone.
Looking Back
The bachelor's degree gave me a solid foundation — not just in specific technologies, but in how to learn new ones quickly. That's the skill that keeps paying off. A few months after graduating, I started my Master's program at the same university, ready to go deeper.