The 1st year students of the Department of Applied Mathematics went on an excursion to SoftServe. An excursion to an IT company is a great opportunity for future specialists to see how a real business in the technology sector works, learn about current trends and requirements for professionals. Such events not only broaden students' knowledge but also help them understand what skills and knowledge are needed to build a successful career in IT.

Our students were met by representatives of the company - Head of Educational Partnerships at SoftServe Olga Dolya and Employer Brand Specialist Sviatoslav Pikh. During the introductory part, they were told about the history of the company, its achievements, main products and services, as well as what technologies and platforms are used to develop software or other IT solutions. During the tour, students had the opportunity to see the employees' workplaces, learn how work processes and teamwork are organized. They saw the development, testing, technical support, and marketing departments, which helps them better understand how different departments interact with each other.

The tour included presentations by experienced specialists. They talked about the use of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, etc. in their projects. In further cooperation, students can take part in small workshops where they try out certain tools or technologies on their own. The company talked about internship, practice, and career development opportunities. HR specialists share advice on what skills are most in demand in the labor market. This is an important element of the tour that gives students a concrete idea of how to get into an IT company after graduation.

At the end of the tour, there is usually a question and answer session where students can get answers to their questions. This year, Anastasiia Oliynyk, one of the winners of the programming and IT project with SoftServe, shared her experience. It was a good opportunity to learn more about the specifics of combining study and participation in IT projects, dual education in practice, and the peculiarities of studying at the Department of Applied Mathematics.

Impressions and feedback from 1st year students of the Department of Applied Mathematics:

Sofia Sushelnytska, FI-11 student: - "I really liked the tour of SoftServe, we were told about the life and activities of the company in an interesting way, motivating us to work hard and study.

Sabadosh Artur, student of PM-13 group: "Such an event as a visit to SoftServe opens up the desire to succeed. After this excursion, I wanted to work there, too, and became motivated to work to get a highly skilled job in the IT field in the future."

Tetiana Ivanova, student of PM-11 group: "I am extremely satisfied with the tour to SoftServe. This company changed my attitude towards Ukrainian IT companies for the better. After this event, I became more motivated to study and develop. I am very glad that the department of my institute has such a great partner."

Dmytro Norenko, student of PM-13 group: "I really liked the atmosphere of the company and was impressed by the hospitality. I'm very grateful to SoftServe for holding free webinars on programming."

Thus, the students' excursion to an IT company is not just an introductory event, but an important step in their professional development. It provides an opportunity to understand how theoretical knowledge is applied in practice and helps to make an informed choice of a career path in the dynamic and innovative field of information technology.