Maryna Lendiel has been a Java developer at EPAM for almost two years and is a graduate of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. Her path in the profession, like that of many of our colleagues, began with EPAM Campus. She completed her training at the beginning of 2022, a period that significantly affected plans and career trajectories. However, Maryna did not stop: she began teaching databases at her alma mater while also participating in EPAM educational projects.
What does a university offer future IT professionals?
Maryna is candid: university builds a strong foundation and broadens your perspective, but many students—even by graduation—still aren’t sure which direction they want to take. Simply following the curriculum can lead to a lack of clarity. Taking ownership of your development and diving deeper into a chosen path is essential.
“University exposes you to different paths, but real structure and depth come when you consciously choose your own.”
How does choosing a technology shape your career?
At one point, Maryna was deciding between C# and Java, and also experimented with C++, but Java ultimately felt like the best fit in terms of structure and logic. Now, as a mid-level developer, she fully appreciates the responsibility of working with junior developers and the value of real production experience—something pet projects can’t fully replicate.
“I like structure and that’s why I chose backend development and Java.”
Why is English essential in IT?
Maryna’s first production project was with an international team based in the U.S. Even with a strong command of English, it was still a challenge: real-time communication with native speakers, idiomatic expressions, and professional jargon. English isn’t just about reading documentation or making small talk—it’s about fully participating in the global IT community.
“In a way, code itself is already a form of English.”
She also notes that working with AI, especially writing prompts, is much more effective in English.
What tasks should NOT be delegated to AI?
Maryna actively uses AI as a tool: to quickly grasp new topics, write tests, explore unfamiliar libraries, or structure her learning. However, complex tasks involving multiple dependencies, system architecture, and service interactions remain the responsibility of the developer. AI can point you in the right direction, but the final decisions and accountability rest with you.
“AI often hallucinates and invents dependencies that don’t exist, so you need enough expertise to catch those mistakes.”
Why is switching domains always a challenge?
Every domain takes time to learn. After working on an insurance project, Maryna transitioned into life sciences, which required adapting to a completely new context. She emphasizes that projects are like living organisms—they evolve constantly. Being ready to adapt, learn, and take on new roles is a key part of being a developer.
What role does a mentor play in a developer’s growth?
“I was lucky to see real-world processes even before landing my first job.”
Maryna gratefully recalls her mentor, Dmytro Demianenko, who shared best practices, helped her prepare for interviews, and introduced her to projects with real business challenges. This experience gave her the confidence to succeed in interviews and integrate into a team more quickly.
What advice would she give to beginners today?
Don’t be afraid, everyone starts somewhere. Use AI as a learning tool, don’t shy away from challenging topics, and stay open to working in different domains. Adapting takes time, and that’s completely normal. You’re not expected to be perfect from day one.
What motivates her to keep growing?
Outside of work, Maryna enjoys watching TV series and attending show recordings with friends. Professionally, she’s driven by the realization that being a developer isn’t just about writing code—it’s about making an impact, creating value, and continuously growing. Today, being a Java developer also means understanding cloud technologies, having some frontend awareness, and being ready to learn throughout your career.
“What motivates me is the opportunity to help people on the other side of the screen.”
If this story resonates with you and you’re looking to grow as a Java developer, now is the time to act. EPAM Campus currently has several open programs—sign up and start building your own career story.
