Before Graduation, Paolo Steven Santos Was Already Building His Career

During his interview, Santos found that his thesis experience allowed him to demonstrate not only what he had learned, but also how he could apply that knowledge to an actual development environment.

“When I talked about my thesis experience during my interview, I felt like it was one of the main reasons why I got hired,” he said.

Santos eventually joined Samsung and now works as a Front-End Engineer, contributing to web applications and participating in technical interviews for prospective hires.

His career path also demonstrates the importance of exploring beyond a prescribed specialization. While his program focused heavily on backend engineering, his exposure to front-end framework development allowed him to discover another area of technology that eventually became part of his professional career.

Beyond technical training, Santos also points to the learning environment at iACADEMY as an important part of his development. Interactive classes, smaller class sizes, collaborative student experiences, and accessible faculty guidance helped him navigate different learning needs while preparing for professional expectations.

“iACADEMY opened the door and laid out the path for me to follow,” Santos reflected. 

“The practical guidance from our professors and the collaborative culture among students made all the difference in preparing me for high-standard industry expectations.”

Today, Santos’ journey reflects how practical education can help students gain an advantage even before graduation. By combining technical knowledge with hands-on experience, adaptability, and collaboration, Game Changers can begin building not only a degree, but also a professional foundation they can carry into the industry.