Student: Ilija Leko
Field of Study: Computer Science
Year of Graduation: 2021
A Career Driven by a Passion for Technology
Ilija Leko, an alumnus of the Computer Science program at the Polytechnic of Bjelovar, has over three years of work experience, having started his career during his final year of studies. In his free time, he focuses on programming and marketing, combining his professional skills with personal interests. His inspirational story provides valuable insights into the journey of a young professional successfully balancing a steady job and entrepreneurship.
He emphasizes the advantage of the Polytechnic of Bjelovar (VUB) in allowing students to work on projects that prepare them for their first job.
Why VUB?
Ilija explains his choice of the Polytechnic of Bjelovar as the best option for several reasons.
“I grew up in Bjelovar, and attending VUB allowed me to stay at home, which significantly reduced study costs and let me spend more time with family and friends. Additionally, I was drawn to the curriculum, which includes many specialized subjects and project-based assignments rooted in practical work.”
Besides the practical reasons, Ilija soon recognized VUB’s educational quality.
“When I started my studies, I noticed that the professors were highly skilled and dedicated to students. The program was focused on practical work, which proved extremely beneficial for my career later on, as I got firsthand experience of what to expect in the workplace. Unlike some other universities that focus more on theory, VUB also keeps up with current technologies, giving students a competitive edge in the job market.”
Experience at VUB
Ilija highlights his positive experience studying at VUB, where he made many friends and had opportunities for individual conversations with professors.
“There weren’t many of us compared to larger universities, allowing for a personalized approach and friendly relationships with professors. In addition to their expertise, the professors maintained a healthy atmosphere during lectures and exercises, which made it easier to master the subjects. In such an environment, I formed numerous friendships that have lasted to this day.”
Networking at VUB
Ilija encourages students to seize the opportunities offered by VUB.
“Students should take advantage of the chance for individual conversations with professors and participate in meetups and lectures. Networking is one of the key aspects of a professional career. Contacts from VUB helped me find internships, jobs, and various business opportunities. VUB played a significant role in networking, thanks in large part to professors with numerous industry connections. Based on my own experience, I’ve become aware of the importance of networking, so I now actively connect students with colleagues from our field.”
Beginnings in Programming and Marketing
Ilija took his first steps in programming during high school, though the resources were limited at the time.
“We had courses that covered only the basics of programming but didn’t provide anything concrete with visible results. My real interest in programming developed at university, where I worked on specific projects that helped me grow as a programmer and learn to study independently.”
On the other hand, Ilija’s passion for marketing stemmed from a hobby.
“I’ve always loved football and followed sports news. I created social media profiles where I wrote about football updates and shared my opinions. Over time, I gained over 200,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram. Playing with the algorithms behind these social media platforms requires creativity and adaptability, which has been both fun and rewarding for me over the years.”
First Work Experience – Serengeti
A pivotal moment in Ilija’s career was starting his job at Serengeti.
“Serengeti was looking for an employee for a junior position, and after a recommendation from a professor, for which I am very grateful, I started working there. I spent a year at the company and learned a lot about the banking sector and databases. While the experience was very useful, I later realized that it wasn’t something I wanted to pursue long-term. My goal was to broaden my knowledge across multiple fields to understand the process of creating the projects and products we use daily. I wanted to develop in a way that would enable me to turn my ideas into products one day.”
Freelancing
After five months at Serengeti, Ilija started his freelancing business to work on marketing and programming projects.
“I wanted to combine my interests and do what I love. My motivation was to learn, grow, and gain experience. I always found time for the things I enjoyed, blending the pleasant with the useful.”
Ilija hopes his freelancing business will grow into something more significant.
“I’m currently gaining experience at a company, but my long-term goal is to develop a product that solves real problems and provides steady income for my collaborators and me, possibly even benefiting our city. That’s the hardest part of the IT story, but I believe it’s possible with a good idea, execution, and marketing.”
Second Work Experience – Hivetech
After a year, Ilija changed jobs and joined Hivetech, following an invitation from the owner, whom he knew from earlier days. “The company owner, Hrvoje Pek, was someone I knew from his lectures on the Java programming language. After making contact, he helped me with various learning materials, and a few years later, we reconnected, and I joined Hivetech. I had a lot of freedom there and the opportunity to work on several smaller projects where I gained experience in mobile, frontend, and backend development, as well as DevOps tasks. After about a year and a half, I came across an excellent opportunity to continue my career at Axess, and I decided to embark on a new adventure.”
Current Job and Goals
Ilija currently works as a full-stack developer at the Austrian company Axess. “Axess is one of the world leaders in developing hardware and software for access control systems for ski resorts, stadiums, attractions, parking facilities, and more—in short, from Aspen to Sljeme. My focus is on frontend and backend development, and I also enjoy managing project documentation and workflows.”
When discussing his long-term goals, Ilija states, “My goal is to keep advancing in my career without setting a specific endpoint. Computer science is a vast field with many different professions, and I believe it’s important to master every step thoroughly before moving on to the next.”
What Does Computer Science Mean to You?
For Ilija, computer science is much more than just programming. “Computer science is a broad field encompassing many different professions. It’s not all about programming—there’s administration, software development, data analysis, and much more. It offers a wide range of opportunities for specialization and professional growth.”
Ilija encourages future generations to pursue computer science as it remains a highly relevant field. “Despite the growing impact of artificial intelligence and new technologies, computer science will always be relevant. It provides excellent opportunities for employment and development. The most important thing is to be consistent in learning and stay updated with the latest trends.”
He believes artificial intelligence will enhance productivity but doesn’t think it will entirely replace computer science. “AI will help us work more efficiently, but I don’t think it will fundamentally change our jobs in the near future. There are many professions AI can automate, but computer science will remain a crucial discipline.”
Strengths and Weaknesses of Programmers
Ilija emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and perseverance as key qualities of a successful programmer. “The most important thing is to learn regularly and keep up with trends. Communication skills are also crucial. I encourage students to be patient and seize opportunities for learning and networking.”
On the other hand, he identifies a lack of communication skills and the ability to express concerns clearly as potential weaknesses of programmers. “Sometimes, it can be a problem if you don’t communicate when something bothers you or needs to change. People often think that writing good code is all that matters, but programming is a team effort and requires constant communication with others.”
Mistakes and Lessons
Ilija admits that during his studies, he would have worked more consistently rather than in bursts. “During my studies, I would have tackled tasks consistently instead of cramming. This would have left fewer obligations for later. I’ve realized that stress doesn’t come from hard work but from procrastination. As for work, I wouldn’t change anything. This is my third company, and I’ve gained enough experience to find what suits me best.” He emphasizes that it’s okay to change companies as time and experience help us better understand what we prefer.
Leisure Time
Ilija enjoys various hobbies, such as soccer, working out, cycling, hiking, and spending time with friends. “Aside from programming, I love engaging in sports and hanging out with friends. It’s important to maintain a balance between work and free time; there’s always time for an hour or so a few times a week.”
“I don’t play video games anymore. I stopped during high school because I realized they no longer relaxed me as they used to. I haven’t played anything since Call of Duty 2 and the shutdown of Xfire. Instead, I focus more on work and spending time with friends in person.”
Ilija adds, “When you often have something to solve in programming, you end up constantly thinking about it. Socializing and hobbies help me clear my mind, which makes it easier to return to work afterward.”
Author: Jan Ulovec
