Tech's a moving target. AMC Bridge’s Software Development Engineers Zokirjon Gofurboyev and Viacheslav Tsurkan share their secrets of staying ahead: continuous learning and adaptability. Zokirjon highlights pushing beyond comfort zones—his back-end-to-full-stack shift—to unlock new projects. Viacheslav emphasizes deep expertise with flexibility for trends like AI. Both agree: staying informed and mastering both theory and practice keeps you sharp in this ever-changing landscape. Learn, adapt, conquer.

Zokirjon Gofurboyev, Software Development Engineer

From Curiosity to Code 

From a young age, I've always been fascinated by technology. Back then, I figured I'd become some kind of engineer, maybe even a mechanical engineer working in a factory. Engineering was definitely my calling. Software engineering really grabbed my attention, and that's when I knew it was the career path I wanted to pursue.

I've been building web applications for over four and a half years now. Initially, I focused on back-end development, mainly with Laravel and using MySQL or PostgreSQL as databases. Then I switched to a Node.js stack with MongoDB because that was the hot thing at the time.

Tech Tools and the Push to Learn

My key tools have been Laravel, Node.js, Express, TypeScript, and JavaScript. Now, at AMC Bridge, I'm pushing myself to become a full-stack developer by learning Angular. It's a great environment for constant learning.

Learning new technologies is definitely a challenge. It's not just about tech—acquiring any new knowledge pushes you outside your comfort zone. When you encounter something unfamiliar, something you need to learn, it puts a strain on your brain. Take someone who's been using the same technology for two years straight—that's a safety net! So yeah, learning new things is exciting because it keeps you sharp, but it's also difficult because it pushes you out of the comfort zone.

Hands-On Practice: Key to Learning

Here's some advice for fellow developers: first, figure out your long-term goals. Where do you see yourself in a few years? Back-end, front-end, or full-stack? For any developer becoming more versatile is key to remaining valuable in the job market.

Balancing theory and practice when learning new technologies is a challenge. I've even fallen victim to it myself. Sometimes you get caught up in finishing a course and rush through the videos without taking the time to practice the theoretical concepts independently. Hands-on practice is crucial. If you skip that step, you'll likely have to Google and dig through documentation later when you encounter a task that requires that knowledge.

To Stay Ahead: Learn and Adapt

In my opinion, staying on top of the latest trends and technologies is crucial for software developers. The reason boils down to how fast the industry moves. Take AI for example—before it hit the scene, we relied on basic auto-completion features. Now, AI opens a whole new world of possibilities. New technologies emerge all the time, and to stay relevant and competitive, you must learn and adapt. If you get stuck in your ways and refuse to update your skillset, you risk becoming obsolete in the competitive market.

Overall, my plan is to solidify my skills in both front-end and back-end development. Angular on the front-end and Node.js on the back-end seem like a strong foundation. While I don't see myself seeking out new technologies in the future, I'm open to learning what software development demands. If project needs or industry trends shift, I'll be ready to adapt and expand my skillset.

Viacheslav Tsurkan, Software Development Engineer

Sparked by Games: Journey to Software Development

I’ve always been fascinated by how programs work, with my initial interest sparked by games and their mechanics. By 7th or 8th grade, I envisioned myself developing games, which evolved into a passion for software development.

Now, I have over three years of experience. I worked on a Java project for six months and then tackled a feature recognition technology project using C++ and Parasolid—my areas of expertise. I also worked on converting drawings to PDFs and am currently learning Siemens Kineo. My technical background makes it easy to switch between technologies and focus on specific aspects.

Stay Current, Stay Sharp

While there are many technologies and new ones emerging every day, adaptability is key. It is unlikely that a client will come up with a project that perfectly matches the exact technology you know, so being able to adapt and learn new technologies quickly is essential.

I believe it is essential for developers to stay updated with market trends and familiarize themselves with new technologies and tendencies. It is important to be aware of the current trends to understand what is in demand. But sometimes, constantly jumping from one technology to another is not advisable. Learning a little of one thing and a little of another will not result in a deep understanding of either. It is good to specialize in one area and focus on mastering it.

Foundations First: Mastering the Core Before You Explore

I advise focusing on what they already know and strengthening their foundational skills. In my case, this involves improving my knowledge of C++ and mathematics. Most projects in the engineering domain require a strong knowledge of a chosen programming language and a good understanding of mathematics. It is also necessary to learn a specific technology relevant to the project. For me, this was Siemens Kineo technology, which I had not worked with before but needed to learn. Having a solid foundation in other technologies made it easier for me to learn this new one.

Landing the Job: Preparing for Client Interviews

I was recently interviewed for a project involving a new technology I had learned. During the interview, the client primarily asked about my project experience, my responsibilities, and the teams I had worked with, whether large or small. They focused on soft skills, my technical expertise and experience. For developers preparing for client interviews, my main advice is to build confidence in your skills and experience. Even if you’re unsure about a specific question, draw on your broader expertise to provide a strong response.

Learning Smarter, Not Harder

In our field, the work itself is a constant learning process. Even if you are familiar with something, almost every day, you encounter new tasks and challenges. It's rare for developers, even those with many years of experience, to reach a level where they know everything perfectly. Sometimes, even the most obvious things that seem super simple can be forgotten. Each developer has their own methods and approaches to tasks, and someone else might already have a more efficient solution. I often look up to colleagues I work with. This helps me understand that there is always room for improvement.