Maciej Kaczorowski Staż ENG Hero 4280X3287
interview 3 min. read

I can’t imagine taking a better path

Friday 21st October 2022
There was a time when it would have been unthinkable, but now it’s a growing trend. Do we hear you ask what we’re talking about? The answer is… changing careers! Because, if you hit a moment in your professional life where you just know that you’ve gone as far as you can, but your hunger to grow is as strong as ever, then you really don’t have to give in to feelings of burnout and stagnation. On the contrary! The world is an open door and the IT sector is an excellent example of this.

Here, at MakoLab, we have an ambassador for taking that path! Meet Maciej Kaczorowski, Junior Java Developer… and enjoy his story 😊
How did it all begin?
After working as an English teacher for ten years, I came to the conclusion that I’d achieved all I could in that role. I have several friends who work in IT and I’d never heard them complain about their jobs. I offered up my thoughts about changing careers to discussion with them and they gave me the green light. They’d known me and my capabilities since high school and they claimed that, if I was determined and underwent the right training, I’d cope. So I gave it a go and took a course in Java programming. It lasted a year and determination really did turn out to be crucial to completing it. Only a few of us had the grit to get through it… eighteen people started out on the course, but just six of us made it to the end. Then I came across the MakoLab Careers page and one of the job offers there included a connected car boot camp. Hand on heart, I can now say that I’m glad I wound up here, because it’s allowed me to see how much I know and how much I have to learn.
What did the boot camp involve? ?
It’s a kind of internship that’s intended to take three months, more or less. The first two months involve developing a project in line with the guidelines, working under the supervision of a mentor… in other words, an experienced programmer who provides regular feedback. There’s also a database of training courses you can take, as well as a source where you can find reliable information. The whole thing is grounded in learning through experience. That doesn’t only mean writing code, but also exploring new ideas and concepts, good practice and tools. During the second stage of the boot camp, in other words, the third month, you work independently… with no daily feedback from the mentor. There’s one project task, which is planned for the entire month and interspersed with weekly demonstrations of progress. It mirrors the pattern of work on projects, but it’s carried out under safe conditions because it’s still boot camp, so you can make mistakes and learn from them.
How would you describe your day-to-day work at present?
I’m working on a commercial project now, but I’m still ‘implementing’ myself… finding out about the project and getting to know the team. It’s definitely already on a different scale to what I was doing at the boot camp. There are so many layers and nooks and crannies. I’m exploring as I go and then trying to bring them all together into a meaningful whole. I’m still learning the vital terminology connected with the project, the new tools and what the people on the team say to me. One plus is that, thanks to the boot camp, I’m already partially ‘implemented’ as regards how we work at MakoLab.
Maciej Kaczorowski Staż ENG LI 1200X675
Would you recommend applying for a similar job with us? And if so, who would you suggest it to?
I’m walking, talking confirmation of the fact that there are no limits when it comes to your education, although a background in the field is certainly very useful. Before someone actually joins MakoLab, they do need some basic skills and knowledge, of course. Boot camp helps you systemise everything and also to develop. I’d recommend it to people who want to learn and aren’t afraid to ask questions… and also to those who are looking for interesting projects to work on. And if someone’s keen on brand names, then MakoLab really does collaborate with some seriously major international players.
What are your favourite ways of spending your free time?
At the moment, I’m treating my previous profession as a hobby and doing some teaching after hours. IT is fairly sedentary work, which is new to me, so after eight hours of sitting, I try to get myself moving in any way I can. I most often go cycling and play football. I’m planning to take part in the Bieg Piastów cross-country ski race. Maybe not the full fifty kilometres… not yet… but fifteen, perhaps. Apart from all that, I’ve always been interested in music. A long, long time ago, I used to strum an electric guitar, but that never turned into serious playing. Now, I’m mainly a listener, often at live concerts.
If anyone sitting and reading this is wondering whether the moment for change has come for them, then we hope that our conversation with Maciej will help you somewhat when it comes to making a decision 😊 As you’ve just seen, it can be done… and Maciej’s words let us believe that it’s also well worthwhile! We’re delighted to have made our own modest contribution to the new path, filled with potential for growth and opportunities to learn, that he has taken!
translation by Caryl Swift
Author
Kamila Braszak
Kamila Braszak
Employer Branding Specialist

MakoLife, Employees, MakoLab Team, People, Hobby

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