‘When I Learned to Implement My Ideas in a Program, I Understood Why It Was Worth Coming to University’

© HSE University

On February 15–17, the HSE University Faculty of Computer Science will hold a winter software engineering school aimed at sharing and exchanging knowledge about modern tools and methods in software development. Those interested in taking part must register by February 12. The HSE News Service spoke to students of the Faculty of Computer Science about their studies on the Bachelor’s programme in Software Engineering.

Alexey Kononov, 4^th-year student of the Bachelor’s in Software Engineering

‘IT specialists are needed everywhere now. In every field, certain processes can be automated, sped up, or improved. Software engineering is first and foremost about how to program properly—not copying and pasting someone else’s code, but writing your own.’

I applied based on the results of an olympiad, without taking entrance exams. I had to choose between the programmes in Business Informatics, Software Engineering, and Architecture. In the end, I chose Software Development. And when I started implementing my own ideas in a program (I started by generating plants and buildings), I understood why it was worth coming to university and studying.

At the very start of my second year, I was working in my specialisation. I then undertook an internship at Yandex and also did projects. You can see examples of my work here. Both the knowledge gained at university and the ability to solve olympiad maths problems ended up being useful to me.

There are such bad words as “talent” and “destiny”. People have a very narrow understanding of them—like thinking that if you can solve problems in a maths olympiad, then you are destined to become a mathematician. If someone likes to do something and they are good at it, then they will most likely also like related fields. If you like mathematics, try physics, IT or something totally different like philosophy, for example. And definitely take part in olympiads!’

Nikita Veselko, graduate of the Bachelor’s in Software Engineering, 2^nd-year student of the Master’s in Financial Technologies and Data Analysis

‘I chose HSE University at the last minute. I was living in Sakhalin, and at first I was planning to apply to a different university in Moscow. But right before admission, in May 2017, I was reading about universities and came across information about the HSE University Faculty of Computer Science and the Bachelor’s in Software Engineering. Right away, I liked the list of partner companies, the curriculum, and the reviews about the university in general. I found people who had studied on the programme, spoke to them, and decided to apply here. I liked the activities, students, and teaching staff at HSE University.

Software engineering is a fundamental field for those who want to go on to work in software development. The job market in this field grows year after year. Software engineering covers a long list of disciplines: development, architecture, project management and more.

I am currently studying on a master’s programme at the Faculty of Computer Science. I didn’t have any second thoughts when choosing a master’s programme; I was sure that I wanted to continue my studies at the faculty, and I joined the Financial Technologies and Data Analysis programme. It combines economic and IT disciplines and was created jointly with Sberbank.

I wouldn’t say that studying at the Faculty of Computer Science is hard, but it isn’t easy. You should understand that you need to make an effort and dedicate a lot of time to your studies. At HSE University, skipping your classes and trying to pass your exam once a semester isn’t going to work. Next, I plan to apply to a doctoral programme at the faculty.

The winter software development school is conducted in Russian. Participation is free of charge—those who want to join just need to register in advance.

Register for the winter school