For many aspiring developers, the journey from college graduate to employed professional isn’t always straightforward. For Taras Gorbachevskiy, the challenge wasn’t a lack of ambition—it was a lack of experience. Despite his technical background, landing that first role in software development proved elusive.
But Taras found his path through Fedstack, where he gained the experience, confidence, and skills he needed to thrive. Today, as a full-stack Java senior analyst, Taras reflects on how Fedstack helped him break the cycle of “needing experience to get experience.”
The Struggle to Start a Career
After earning his bachelor’s degree, Taras faced the same roadblock countless graduates encounter: employers wanted experience, yet entry-level roles seemed impossible to land.
“I was stuck,” Taras explained. “I needed experience to get a job, but I couldn’t get a job without experience.”
Determined to break free from this cycle, Taras sought alternative paths that could provide the hands-on experience he was missing. That’s when he discovered Fedstack. The program’s practical training model offered him the opportunity to work on real projects while refining his technical skills.
“Fedstack provided the hands-on experience I needed,” Taras said. “I worked with Java Spring, Angular, unit testing, SQL, and even learned about security technologies and microservice structures. It gave me a lot of confidence in my abilities.”
Turning Doubt into Determination
While Fedstack’s training offered valuable experience, Taras faced moments of self-doubt along the way. One challenge in particular sticks with him: an issue with authentication during a project. Hours of frustration and uncertainty left him questioning if software development was even the right path for him.
“I started doubting everything,” Taras recalled. “I wondered if this was really for me.”
But rather than give up, Taras relied on his training and fundamentals. By reviewing logs, breaking the problem into steps, and collaborating with peers, he found the solution—an incorrect dependency configuration. It was a breakthrough that reinforced his belief in persistence and systematic problem-solving. “That moment still pops back into my head whenever I feel stuck,” he added.
The Power of Collaboration
Taras credits much of his success to the collaborative environment within Fedstack’s training program. Working in a team of four on his milestone project gave him a chance to develop both his technical and communication skills.
“Working in a team is challenging at times, but rewarding,” Taras explained. “Sometimes you’re too close to a problem to see the solution, but when you have other minds involved, they can point out things you might have missed.”
Fedstack’s supportive environment kept Taras motivated, even during remote training. “Everyone I worked with was great at communication,” he said. “I never felt isolated.”
From Confidence to Career Growth
Today, Taras has been with his client in the federal space for nearly two years, gaining extensive hands-on experience working with Java Spring, Angular, JSPs, and Oracle DB on enterprise applications. One of his proudest moments came when he optimized sluggish database queries that had been impacting user experience.
“I analyzed the database schema, improved indexing, and rewrote inefficient queries,” Taras said. “The performance boost was significant, and knowing my solution improved the user experience gave me a huge confidence boost.”
The impact of his career growth extends beyond his professional life. “With this job, I was able to buy a home with my wife,” Taras said. “That’s something I couldn’t imagine before.”
Advice for Future Developers
Reflecting on his journey, Taras has one piece of advice for those struggling to break into tech: “Just do it. Put in the effort, take time to invest in yourself, and trust the process.”
He encourages others to see Fedstack as a valuable stepping stone. “Fedstack bridges the gap between what you learn in college and what’s required in the real world. The hands-on experience is invaluable,” he emphasized.
A Springboard for Success
For Taras, Fedstack wasn’t just a training program. It was a springboard that accelerated his career and gave him the skills and confidence to thrive in a fast-paced industry. “I probably would have gotten there eventually,” Taras reflected. “But Fedstack made it happen faster and gave me the structure I needed to succeed.”
For aspiring developers eager to break into tech, Taras’s story is proof that with persistence, collaboration, and the right training, success is within reach. d.
