Having worked for many years in the oil products research laboratory of "Lietuvos Geležinkėlių", Augustas decided that it was time to do something new. Realizing that the projected future IT career will not be limited to only MS Excel knowledge, the alumnus turned his retraining process in the direction of improvement. After choosing "Vilnius Coding School" data analytics training, August completed an intensive program focused on SQL, PowerBI and Python skills. After the training, he successfully got a job In the State Data Agency, where he is now continuing his career as a data engineer.


What is your professional path before training? What field did you work in and how many years did you work?

After completing my master's studies in chemical engineering, I worked for 9,5 years in the oil product research laboratory belonging to "Lietuvos geležinkeliams". I was responsible for the monitoring of internal combustion engines of freight locomotives, which was carried out during periodic tests of engine oils. My work was related not only to the monitoring of chemical and physical processes in engines, but also to data collection, processing and analysis itself, so over the years I realized that I want to improve in this sphere and I will not limit myself to MS Excel. I made a plan of action and moved towards retraining.

Retraining as data analysts took place in stages. The duration of retraining is 7-8 months. Home - Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate Specialized Training. The end is a data analytics course at Vilnius Coding School. In the course of retraining, I took a number of other Coursera and Udemy courses on the topic of data analytics. During the retraining period, I prepared several detailed portfolio projects.

How did you choose your chosen training program and why Vilnius Coding School?

Vilnius Coding School data analytics course - value for money. In Lithuania at that moment, I found only one "Vilnius Coding School" course analogue, but the price was unacceptable. One of the most important aspects why I chose "Vilnius Coding School" is a career center that is interested in helping junior specialists get a job and maintains relations with several hundred (correct me if I'm wrong) IT company partners.

How did the training go? What knowledge and skills have you acquired?

The courses are relatively short (75 hours in the evening), but focus on strong SQL, PowerBI and Python basics. Since the "Vilnius Coding School" courses were the last on my list, learning was much easier. If you start "from 0", the course may appear intensive.

How did the search for the company go? Was it difficult?

The job search lasted about 3-4 months. This is a normal period for a junior specialist. Sent 20-30 CVs to companies of different profiles: manufacturing, online trade, logistics, pharmaceuticals, other. Traditional searches have been fruitless. At that time, the career center also had no job offers from partner companies for data analysts. After finding information about the "TECH FAIR" organized by "Vilnius Coding School", I went without hesitation.

At this fair, I had the opportunity to communicate face-to-face with companies/institutions looking for IT specialists with a similar profile. This is where I met the "State Data Agency" team.

We exchanged contacts and within a few weeks I received a Python analytical assignment that led to an interview. I am currently working successfully in this agency. My work position is closer to the field of data engineering. Basic work with PySpark, a data processing and analysis tool that allows you to work with large data sets. I am grateful to the "State Data Agency" for giving me the opportunity to become part of the team, for trusting junior employees and allowing me to work independently on projects, while advanced colleagues provide all kinds of help in situations where competence is lacking.

What advice would you give to people who dream of changing careers, but do not dare for various reasons (thinking that it is too late to change something, that they will be too weak for IT companies, etc.)?

It's never too late to retrain. The most important thing is to properly prepare for retraining, realizing in which IT field you can become a promising specialist.

Before retraining:

1. Research the qualification requirements, learning opportunities and demand in the labor market of the IT field of interest;

2. Get in touch with acquaintances who work in the IT field, which might attract you and understand if it suits you;

3. Get a strong theoretical basis in the technologies you will work with in a specific field and spare no time for practical tasks and projects. Only independent practice will allow you to understand and master the foundation. In addition, having "portfolio" projects will make you more attractive to employers;

4. Join the IT community on StackOverflow, Kaggle, GeekforGeeks, Reddit or other platforms. bIT is a very strong and friendly community, which will allow you to improve faster by answering the programming questions you ask;

5. Make up your mind that during the retraining period and after joining the IT labor market, enthusiasm and technical information will be your companion every day.

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