Where to Look for a Job in IT: GoIT Graduates` Experience and 2024 Results

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IT Cluster

In today’s world, the development of the IT sector is not only a driver of economic growth but also a crucial element in creating new opportunities for specialists of different levels. Kharkiv IT Cluster plays a key role in supporting IT companies and educational initiatives, fostering professional development, and strengthening the local ecosystem. One of the brightest examples of such collaboration is GoIT, an educational platform that helps professionals transition into the tech industry. Thanks to effective learning methodologies and support from the professional community, GoIT graduates achieve significant success in employment. Let’s take a look at the results achieved in 2024.

Throughout 2024, 1,598 GoIT students started their careers in a new field, which is 73 more than in 2023. The top four fields with the highest employment rates were FullStack – 493 students, Design – 359, Data Analytics – 270, and QA – 189. Notably, the Data Analytics program was introduced at GoIT only in 2023, so the first job placements occurred at the end of that year, while 2024 saw a significant increase in employed analysts.

Comparison of the number of employed students by field in 2023-2024:

Regarding the gender distribution of employed graduates, the figures have shifted compared to the previous year. In 2023, the number of employed men and women was almost equal, whereas in 2024, women accounted for 54.3% of all employed students. This trend began in February 2024—while men had a significant lead in January, every subsequent month saw more women securing jobs, a trend that persisted until the end of the year. The highest proportion of employed women is observed in Design and SMM fields, where 85% and 97% of the employed graduates, respectively, are women.

To gain deeper insights into employment trends, a detailed survey was conducted among GoIT graduates. A total of 446 respondents out of the 1,598 employed graduates in 2024 participated in this survey, forming the basis for further analysis.

How the job search process looked in 2024:

The average job search duration was approximately 2.5 months of active searching, though this varied by field: most students found jobs within 2.5 months, while FullStack students took an average of 4 months. Overall, 63.4% of surveyed employed students found a job within the first three months after graduation.

46.7% of employed students started job searching while still studying, 32.8% began immediately after graduation, and only 20.5% postponed their search for three months or more. The timing of job applications significantly impacted the duration of the job search.

The number of applications submitted varied widely—from a few applications to over 100. The number of applications depended on location (students in Poland, Germany, and the UK typically submitted 80-100 applications before receiving an offer), job format preferences, tech stack, and English proficiency. On average, employed students submitted 57 job applications. Compared to 2023, the percentage of students submitting more than 50 applications decreased by 3%, indicating a positive hiring trend.

Most students went through up to five interviews (71.2%), while 18.9% had between five and ten interviews. Additionally, 9.9% of students attended between 10 and 30 interviews or more.

The next step after interviews often involved completing test tasks, which varied by company and recruitment process. The majority (67.6%) of students completed between one and five test tasks before receiving an offer, while 18% did not complete any, mainly in the fields of Data Analytics, QA, and Project Management.

The survey revealed that personal recommendations remain the most effective job search method, with 20% of graduates finding employment through referrals. Professional platforms LinkedIn and Djinni had nearly equal effectiveness (16.9% and 16.6%, respectively), while Work.ua ranked third (14%). Thanks to GoIT’s partnership department, 11% of graduates secured jobs through company collaborations.

Job search resources used by students in 2024:

The average job offer for GoIT graduates ranged from $500 to $700.

• FullStack developers (including Bootcamp graduates) typically start at $600-650, though 20.8% received offers of $1,000 or more.
• Data Analytics graduates earn an average of $900.
• Designers, QA specialists, and Python developers receive an average offer of $500-550.
• Project Management graduates earn around $800 per month.

English proficiency remains important but not critical for employment. While most employed graduates have B1-B2 level English (67.18%), 22% secured jobs with lower proficiency, primarily in Ukrainian product companies and IT departments of non-tech firms.

Most GoIT graduates (78%) work for companies, while 22% started their careers as freelancers, primarily in Design and FullStack development.

Among those working for companies, 43.8% joined product companies (e.g., Genesis, Ajax, Diia, MacPaw), 36.4% found roles in outsourcing/outstaffing firms (e.g., EPAM, Ciklum, GlobalLogic), 10.5% joined IT departments of non-tech companies (e.g., PrivatBank, ATB, Silpo), and 9.3% were employed in web studios and startups.

Remote work trends remained stable compared to 2023. In 2024, 58.5% of students worked remotely. The proportion of office-based employees decreased by 7% (to 17.3%), while hybrid work arrangements increased by 8.5%, reaching 24.2%. Although more job openings now require office attendance, candidates continue to prefer remote work. FullStack, Data Analytics, and QA fields are more likely to require office visits.

GoIT employed student profile

The average age of GoIT employed students is 31, aligning with the national IT specialist average. However, variations exist: FullStack students tend to be younger (average 24 years old), while Data Analytics students are older (average 33 years). Notably, 25.8% of employed graduates in 2024 were over 35 years old.

Age distribution of employed students:

Most students were in Ukraine at the time of employment (76.2%), residing in major cities and smaller towns, while 23.8% were abroad. Within Ukraine, students were primarily located in Kyiv, Lviv, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Rivne, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and other regional centers. International employment was recorded in Poland, Germany, the UK, Spain, and other countries.

A majority of employed graduates have higher education (52.9% with master’s degrees, 28.9% with bachelor’s degrees). Additionally, 6.6% have vocational education, while 11.6% have only a high school diploma. FullStack and Python students predominantly have technical backgrounds, whereas other fields are dominated by non-technical specialists, highlighting the importance of adaptability over prior education.

Conclusions:

• In 2024, 1,598 GoIT graduates started IT careers, with FullStack (493), Design (359), Data Analytics (270), and QA (189) being the most popular fields.
• The average job search took 2.5 months and required 57 applications and up to five interviews.
• The gender distribution shifted, with 54.3% of employed graduates being women.
• The average job offer ranged from $500-700, with Data Analytics ($900) and FullStack ($600-650) leading.
• 78% of graduates work in companies, while 22% freelance.

Kharkiv IT Cluster fosters strong partnerships that create opportunities for everyone. Through collaboration with GoIT, graduates access top job opportunities, while companies find skilled professionals.

Join Kharkiv IT Cluster today to expand your career opportunities and connect with like-minded professionals!

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