How did you learn about Alem school and what attracted you to the decision to start studying here?

• I wasn't looking for any programming courses or similar programs. It's just that one evening my older brother sent me a link to a website that offered me to go through a couple of online games to get into programming school. I didn't have any social media accounts and I didn't even imagine how I would study at this school. After successfully completing the games on the site, I received an invitation to the pool qualifying stage. On August 1, 2022, at 6 a.m., I left Karaganda and arrived in Astana by 9 a.m. It was then that my unforgettable adventure began.

Share your experience. How did you decide to go from a professional athlete to IT?

• I finished 11th grade and did not continue my studies at the university. At the age of 14, I started practicing jiu-jitsu, and from that moment this sport became an integral part of my life. At the age of 16, I managed to become a world junior champion. At the age of 19, I achieved a bronze medal at the World Championships, and by the age of 21 I became a silver medalist in the same competition. The Jiu-Jitsu Federation in our country provided us with excellent support. Ending my career in sports was an emotionally and mentally difficult decision for me.

What changes have occurred in your personal and professional development thanks to studying at the alem school?

• The sphere of sports and information technology, at first glance, seem to be completely different worlds. The transition from sports to programming was difficult, it was unusual for me to spend whole days in one place without any physical activity. After a while, my body began to feel a lack of movement, and sometimes I had to take long walks before going to bed to calm down. But I had a good reason for this change. After many years in professional sports, I have reached certain heights, but it became clear to me that I want something more. When I turned 23, I was facing an important decision. In sports, the average age of athletes is 25 years, and I understood that it was necessary to determine what to do next. Having tried myself in coaching, I realized that it was entertaining, but it did not bring me proper satisfaction. My story is a confirmation of how important diligence and dedication to the goal are. In fact, it is much easier to enter this IT sphere than it may seem, and you only need a huge desire and time.

What are your plans for the future related to training and development in the IT field? Tell us about your long-term and short-term goals.

• alem is a unique place where you meet a variety of people with diverse interests and views. The atmosphere here just sets you up for work, training, development and knowledge sharing. In just seven months of training, I was offered a job. If I had tried to master everything that I have learned here on my own, it would have taken at least two years, if I had succeeded at all, and I would not have given up on this case already in the first month. Here, everyone is sparkling with enthusiasm and has a clear goal. This atmosphere charges you with energy and the conviction that you are capable of more.

What advice could you give to those who are currently considering enrolling in alem school?

• It is surprising that many, already being specialists in other fields, after getting acquainted with IT, begin to see what can be improved and what can be revised from scratch. When developing, it is important to understand not only how to properly transmit data and ensure user convenience, but also to delve into the sphere that you are digitizing. This means understanding the key problems in this area and choosing the appropriate approach for optimization. If you have doubts whether you should start your journey in the IT world, then, of course, it's worth it. And I recommend the alem school to start in this area.