• Case study 8

► Case study 8

Alexej Fomin, Java Developer with Insight 2 Value

Meet Aleksej Fomin, 20 years old from Oxford, and originally from Russia. He’s now in his second year on a Software Engineering degree course at Staffordshire University and is working part time for Insight 2 Value as a Java Developer.

Aleksej applied for the job through JobZone, and was interviewed on campus. Insight 2 Value is a recently formed IT company who design and develop software solutions using IBM’s Enterprise Content Management software.

Aleksej wanted to gain some additional technical skills whilst studying, and get some experience with an IT organisation. Working flexibly was also important to him.

Aleksej develops and maintains custom programmes for I2V’s Content Analytics solution, which includes coding, testing and documentation. He has frequent meetings with John Sutton from Insight 2 Value to inform of progress and briefings on new work. Aleksej comments “some of the work involves me getting to grips with new technical skills and I enjoy the challenge this provides. John is very understanding regarding my University commitments, and I am able to work flexibly from home. Because we have regular briefings, I feel very involved with the work, and have become more confident in meetings”

When asked about getting the job Aleksej says “I would recommend that students research what the company does before attending the interview so that you look professional, and also to think about your expectations from a job” Aleksej is employed on a casual work basis which enables him to coordinate his availability with the work available which varies on a week to week basis.

John states “I was impressed by the high calibre of both post and under graduate students who applied for the job, but Aleksej stood out because of how he approached the interview. He came across as very positive and had obviously spent some time both researching our company as well as the work we were asking him to do. His subject matter knowledge was reinforced by the types and level of questions he raised.”

©Staffordshire University, written by Kathy England, September 2011