In the "Successful internship success stories" section, we will periodically present the career development and personal experiences of our interns. They will share more about themselves, their start at Stenik, their professional journey, and what keeps them in the company after their internship. In the interesting interviews we have prepared, you will find information about the practical experience our interns have gained in the process of developing and maintaining leading online stores, work methods, team activities, and other interesting moments that our heroes shared in the section. We hope that through the stories of our successful interns, we can inspire and guide those of you who are currently seeking internship opportunities and career development in the IT industry.
In Focus - Yulian Draganov
In the following few lines, we will introduce you to Yulian Draganov, 25-year-old from Sofia.
Yulian joined Stenik team in 2020 in the position of Support Specialist - Trainee. He describes himself as someone who loves sports and points to football as his greatest passion and a frequently practiced hobby. In his free time, he also enjoys having fun with friends or simply watching an interesting movie or series. His motto is: "There's always a way!"
>> Hello, Yulian! We would be delighted to learn more about your professional journey. Had you heard about Stenik before applying for the internship and what initially attracted you to the company?
I had started my own initiative to connect with employers in an alternative way so that I could stand out from the standard method of applying through job postings. I learned about Stenik personally from the official website in the careers section of the company, after doing some brief research. I was impressed by the portfolio of brands and online stores that were familiar to me, and I began to explore the possibility of becoming a part of the team. I applied for the internship and very soon received a call with an interview offer. This was the most opportune moment for me... And here we are, this adventure has been continuing for 2 and a half years now.
>> What knowledge did you have at the beginning of the internship?
At the start of the internship, I had basic computer literacy and a correct understanding and use of terms related to online commerce. I had gained this knowledge from a previous position I held in the Sales department, which was related to the IT sphere.
>> Who was your mentor and what did you learn from him?
My mentor at the beginning of the internship was Todor Minev - eCommerce Support Team Lead. He imparted to me a lot of technical knowledge, eCommerce terminology and processes, effective ways to implement functionalities, as well as valuable know-how related to communication with the company's team and Stenik's clients. Todor is still the person who sits next to me and is always present if I encounter difficulties with a client case or the projects entrusted to me. I learned a lot about the administration of online stores based on Magento and Adobe Commerce and continue to actively build on my knowledge. However, it's hard for me to pinpoint the light solely on my mentor because from day one until today, I continue to learn a lot from every colleague of mine.
>> What path have you taken at Stenik, and what is your career development up to this point?
I started at Stenik as a Support Specialist - Trainee. After successfully completing the internship program, I took a permanent position as Junior Support Specialist. I started communicating and assisting Project Manager colleagues, and accordingly, my position transitioned to Support Specialist & Assistant PM. At this point, I can proudly say that I manage several ongoing projects and continue to develop as a Junior Project Manager.
>> What are your main responsibilities in this position?
As a Support Specialist & Assistant Project Manager, my role involves solving various cases and consulting on the integration of new functionalities into live projects. My responsibility also includes providing lightning-fast support to online merchants in case of technical issues with their online stores and answering any technical questions that arise during our collaboration.
>> What motivates you the most at Stenik?
One of the huge advantages is the environment that surrounds me. We have specialists with many years of accumulated experience in the field, from whom I gain rich theoretical and solid practical knowledge on a daily basis, which is beneficial for my career development. I have the opportunity to get in touch with the latest technologies that help me continuously improve. My daily routine is fast-paced and dynamic, but it's motivating for me to keep acquiring new knowledge and skills to apply in my work. Another significant plus is the flexible working hours, which are rarely offered by other companies.
What makes me happy to be part of the Stenik team is the friendly attitude of the team, which encourages me to give my best every day. I'm glad that our paths crossed and that I'm part of this team. Last but not least, I'm motivated by the opportunity to assist merchants, provide them with the necessary peace of mind, justify their trust, and be a direct participant in their eCommerce development and the technical stability of their online stores. As an extroverted person, I truly enjoy communicating with my colleagues from various departments, as well as communicating with our clients. At Stenik, we support and encourage open communication, which helps me be more productive and effective in my work.
>> What projects are you currently working on?
The projects I've taken on as a Junior Project Manager are well-known in the online commerce field and, to my delight, are preferred shopping destinations. Some of the e-stores include telestar.bg, tvboutique.bg, vip-watches.net, uwear.bg, autopro.bg, chochko.com, and others.
>> With which colleagues / departments do you communicate most frequently?
I work most actively with colleagues from the support and project management departments. In the work process, colleagues from these departments assist me with guidance, advice, and real examples of proper and efficient completion of various tasks. The great thing is that there's always someone to bounce ideas off of and receive quality feedback.
>> How does a typical workday unfold for you?
My workday starts with reviewing all the communication channels we use (email, Slack, and Redmine). I go through new notifications, emails, and notifications, then review tasks directed to me and prioritize them to know what needs to be done by the end of the day. The day progresses with testing, ticketing (tasking), communicating with colleagues/clients, and handling new inquiries/tasks coming through the various channels we use.
>> How do you maintain your knowledge and qualifications?
I learn a lot after successfully completing each task at Stenik. I learn from my colleagues and our leaders, and I stay continuously inspired. In the meantime, to acquire new knowledge and keep my clock ticking, I follow and read various sources of information in the eCommerce field. I'm interested in platform developments and migrations, various processes in online commerce, integrations with external systems, B2B and B2C online commerce, and more.
>> What are your goals at Stenik and in your career?
My goals are to continue developing both professionally and personally within the company. I believe that Stenik provides an appropriate environment for this, and my desire is for us to continue growing and developing mutually. "Career development isn't just about reaching new heights; it's about understanding how far you can go and what potential you have to change the world around you." In other words: Courageously moving forward towards new technical and eCommerce heights!
>> How do you manage the work-life balance at Stenik?
Work-life balance is an important element for me, especially because I work in a rapidly evolving industry like IT. To achieve this balance, I set clear goals for what I want to achieve both at work and in my personal life. Additionally, I make plans and allocate time between work and leisure to have a clear understanding of where I need to focus more and how to prioritize tasks. I don't forget to engage in my hobbies, which help me relax, recharge, and find equilibrium. This way, I believe I achieve my balance between work and personal life and feel content. I'll quote Byron Pulsifer: "Balancing work and life is a continuous process that requires constant attention and dedication to the important things in our lives."
>> What is your advice for future interns in the digital industry in a similar position?
The advice I can give as someone who has recently walked this path is that if you enjoy talking to clients, understanding their needs and issues, and have a desire to be on the technical side but lack programming knowledge, then this is your position. And Stenik is the best place for a successful career development, which is not just a plan but a real opportunity.
Yulian Draganov
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Watch behind the scenes video of Stenik and hear what some of our colleagues have to say. Very soon, you'll be able to see episodes from the eCommerce professions series, where 6 colleagues from Stenik talked about their exciting professions. Stay tuned for the next interview, part of the "Successful internship success stories" section at Stenik.
