The Birth of an IT Product: From Idea to Startup — Career Guidance Meeting for Future Applicants
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, a Professor from the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Kherson State University (KSU) conducted an online meeting for high school students of the Kherson Academic Lyceum named after O.V. Mishukov, dedicated to modern opportunities in the field of Information Technologies.
The Professor of the Department, Doctor of Economic Sciences Vitalii Kobets, shared his unique experience in creating IT products – from initial ideas to successful startups – with the prospective applicants. The presentation covered key aspects of the modern IT industry and showed tangible pathways for building a career in the technology sector.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting
Important Facts About the IT Industry:
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90% of the world's top companies by capitalization are IT companies.
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11 Ukrainian companies entered the top 100 best outsourcing companies in the world.
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Over 100 companies from the Fortune 500 list use the services of Ukrainian IT outsourcing.
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In 2021, Ukrainian IT exports grew by 36% – from $5 billion to $6.8 billion.
Inspiring Success Stories
Vitalii Kobets highlighted the paths to success of world-renowned companies:
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Airbnb – began with the simple idea of renting an air mattress to conference guests in San Francisco. Thanks to the simplicity (only three clicks for booking) and the founders' persistence, the company grew to a billion-dollar valuation.
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Grammarly – a Ukrainian success story in which Oleksiy Shevchenko and Max Lytvyn created a tool for checking students' work for plagiarism, which evolved into a global service for improving English writing.
Practical Aspects of Development Discussed:
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Understanding user needs and the psychology of product interaction.
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The importance of balancing technical and creative skills.
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Principles of User-Centered Design (UCD).
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Teamwork and the diversity of roles in IT projects.
IT Professions: Broader Than Programming
Attendees learned that the modern IT industry requires more than just programmers. In product companies, 70% of employees are non-technical specialists:
💻 Tech Roles:
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Front-end, Back-end, and Full-stack Developers
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QA Engineers and DevOps Engineers
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Game Developers
💡 Non-Tech Roles:
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Product and Project Managers
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UX/UI Designers
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Product Analysts
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Marketers and PR Specialists
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HR Managers and Recruiters
Opportunities for KSU Students
Kherson State University (KSU) offers future IT specialists:
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🎓 Modern Educational Programs in Information Systems and Technologies, Computer Science, and Software Engineering.
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🤝 KSU24 Platform – a digital space that connects students with employers and provides access to internships and projects.
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🚀 Practical Experience – the opportunity to implement their own ideas in university projects, including mini-grants for innovative developments.
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🌍 International Academic Mobility – exchange and study abroad programs.
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💼 Video Content Laboratory and other modern learning spaces.
Employment Prospects
According to the Djinni platform (November 2025 data), the median salary for a Business Analyst in Ukraine is $3000, with top specialists earning $4500 to $6000.
Many KSU graduates successfully work or continue their studies abroad.
Join KSU!
The Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Kherson State University invites talented and creative applicants who dream of creating innovative products and building a successful career in IT.
Contact Information: 📧 Email: 🌐 Website: https://www.kspu.edu/About/Faculty/FPhysMathemInformatics/ChairInformatics.aspx 💻 Platform: ksu24.kspu.edu
Vitalii Kobets concluded the meeting with an important thought:
"Many ideas that we implement in university projects are born back in high school. Your creativity and interest in technologies are the first step toward a successful IT career!"
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