10 of Sofia and Pernik’s most talented 11th graders in “Computer Science” completed a 2 week internship at Musala Soft, so they could meet closely with the profession of a Programmer.
2 girls and 8 boys from Technological School Electronic Systems, Sofia High School of Mathematics “Paisiy Hilendarski”, National Gymnasium of Natural Sciences and Mathematics “Academician Lyubomir Chakalov”, Language School “Simeon Radev” (Pernik) and High Scool 137 “Angel Kantchev” had the opportunity to become, at least for a short period of time, a part from the software company through the “Tuition for IT career” program by the Ministry of Education and Science.
The participants took part in an exciting project, in which they have demonstrated what they have learned for the past two years. Divided into five 2-member teams, the students had to develop their own software, dealing with problems in two specific directions – personal efficiency (like a to-do list) or a business orientated one (like software for a veterinary clinic).
“The results were more than satisfying, and the level of knowledge and abilities that they have showed is close to those of some junior programmers” – said Angel Georgiev, Technical Training Lead at Musala Soft and one of the authors of the syllabus for the “Tuition for IT career” program. “I welcome the desire of the young interns to become a part of the Musala Soft team. The door for a career here is open for the 11th graders, but my advice to them is first of all to finish their secondary school education”, Angel added.
The “Tuition for IT career” program by the Ministry of Education and Science started as a part of an initiative in 2017, after the Ministry turned to the branch organizations Bulgarian Association of Software Companies (BASSCOM), Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies (BAIT), Bulgarian Outsourcing Association and Foundation “Cluster Information and Communication Technologies” a year earlier because of the inefficiency of prepared personnel for hiring. In two months a program was prepared, according to which “Appliance programmer” can be added to the current professional qualification “System programmer”, level 3. In addition, trough extracurricular activities for students between 10th and 12th grade, which are not thought in the professional direction “Computer science”, is given a chance for achieving the “Appliance programmer”, level 3 qualification.
With the start of the program in 2017, about 800 students from all over Bulgaria join in, with over 200 of them only in Sofia. During the course of the program some of them dropped out, with only the most motivated and purposeful ones, who managed to cover the demands, still continue to learn. This autumn 60 students will begin their last year of education in the program in Sofia.