SoftTeco Team

HR Department Teambuilding

Last Friday our colleagues from the HR, PR, Recruiting and Administration teams gathered together for a teambuilding event. In the spirit of friendly competition, the team took part in a karting race. For some contestants, it was their first time, so they were excited to share their impressions and the thrill of the racing experience. The race was full of unexpected turns, bumps, and plenty of laughter. Even putting on the racing suits and helmets added to the fun, making everyone feel like real racers as they went around the track.

After an inspiring race, the team moved to a local Minsk bar to have a fun time together. Great conversations, team spirit and delicious food and drinks. That was a chance for everyone to make the end of the week special with memories for years to go.

TPW: Apple's ecosystem. Inside out

On September 18 at 19:00 (GMT +3), we invite you to join the Third Programmer's Wednesday stream, where we’ll plunge deeper into the world of Apple development and discuss the ecosystem and its products.

Pavel Vilbik, an iOS Developer at SoftTeco, will tell us more about the latest updates in Swift, its advancement outlook, the best frameworks for development, and share insights from the recent presentation of new products.

We will also discuss:

- SwiftUI vs. UIKit
- Alternative browser engines
- App Store monopoly
- Parallelism
- Apple Intelligence

Don’t miss the chance to ask your question live. The one who’d ask the best question will be awarded with a gift from SoftTeco!

Register for the stream here: https://forms.gle/1d5ZePkBv4KMCa2W6

Warm memories from Kids Knowledge Day at Regional offices! Bright children's parties lit up Vitebsk and Gomel with vibrant emotions.

For that day our Gomel office turned into a lively scientific laboratory! At first the public's attention was grabbed by a nearly magical Tesla show that left everyone buzzing up with excitement. The edutainment continued with a master class in cotton candy making, revealing every detail in this miracle-like process. Of course these intellectually stimulating activities were perfectly balanced with a delicious lunch!

Meanwhile, the Vitebsk celebration embraced a space theme. Children embarked on a laser-tag adventure within a challenging labyrinth. Successfully escaping from labyrinth led them to another brain teaser – the creative quest that sparked teamwork. After a rich entertaining program, kids and their parents shared a hearty lunch to save the energy boost for study months ⚡️

Celebration of Kids Knowledge Day with SoftTeco Minsk!

On September 7th, we hosted a wonderful celebration with our colleagues and their children, who truly took center stage at the event. The joyful atmosphere of the Ecotourism Center «Stankovo» set the perfect background for a memorable day.

The children had a fantastic time exploring various species of animals, accompanied by their parents on every little adventure. After wandering through the landscapes of the ecopark, everyone gathered in the comfortable wooden pavilions to enjoy a festive lunch together.

Much loved animators (or famous Fixies themselves?) energized the party with lively dances and games. To capture these cherished moments, each child received a special gift.

We are sure, that autumn days are still perfect for creating joyful and bubble-bright memories 🫧

SoftTeco on the Run: Half Marathon Adventures in Minsk and Warsaw

This past weekend, our incredible SoftTeco teams hit the streets for an unforgettable run! On Sunday, employees participated in the Minsk Half Marathon, with 5 runners covering 5km, 11 taking 10km, and two champions running awesome 21km! The city streets came alive with the spirit of competition and solidarity as our team embraced the energy of Minsk. Since 2019, this event has been a beloved SoftTeco tradition, celebrating the local jog community and healthy lifestyle.

In Warsaw, a smaller but evenly passionate team took an evening Half-Marathon run on September 7th, lighting up the night with their enthusiasm. It's clear – no matter the distance or location, the love for running unites us.

Looking forward, our Georgia and Bulgaria teams are gearing up for their own races soon!

Kids Knowledge Day in SoftTeco Poland

The event in honor of Knowledge Day was a great success on September 7th. Held at the E.Wedel Chocolate Factory, the day was filled with learning, laughter, and discovery.

Participants had the unique opportunity to explore the fascinating world of chocolate production. The hands-on experience allowed both children and parents to dive into the secrets of how chocolate is made, from the selection of ingredients to the final product. Visitors also learned about the rich history of the Wedel family, the creators behind the famous brand.

The interactive tour was full of exciting moments, with everyone having the chance to taste chocolate treats. The event truly became a memorable adventure for all, blending education and fun in a delicious and engaging way.

Bogdan Luksha: 5 Years with SoftTeco

Today we’re happy to share a story about a five-year journey with SoftTeco from Bogdan Luksha, our .NET Developer! Starting from passion for mathematics to first demanding projects and creating heartwarming traditions with a trusty team – only a few steps of this inspiring path.

For two years Bogdan is solely responsible for the Backend on his project and ready to advise all newcomers: «Don’t be shy to ask questions, because these are situations that help you make progress and learn something new!»

SoftTeco Team congratulates Bogdan on his work anniversary with the company!

SoftTeco Meetup: Navigating the Interview Process for a QA Position

Interviews can be a stressful experience, even for seasoned professionals who have gone through numerous discussions with potential employers. Our speaker for this event, Anastasia Ulkina, a QA Engineer, shared crucial insights on how to prepare for QA job interviews and more.

This meetup will be valuable for anyone looking to systematize their strengths and weaknesses before facing an interview.

During the session, we covered:
- Key things to know before an interview
- Essential Hard Skills for QA
- Self-presentation techniques
- Effective communication with potential employers

Watch the recording of the meetup here:
https://youtu.be/7VHtQ_F9xQA?feature=shared

Android Department Teambuilding

As summer was winding down, our Android team decided to make the most of it. At the end of August, they headed to the Minsk Sea for a fun evening. The team enjoyed paddleboarding with beautiful views of the water, the sunset, and hot air balloons.

Afterward, they gathered at the "Leto" cafe in the sailing center. Good company, great conversations, and tasty food made it a perfect way to end the week!

Our colleague Alexander Sysoev, Frontend Developer, embarked on an exciting journey through Greece. Here are a few tips from him for those planning to visit this country:

"First of all, decide whether you want to spend time on the mainland or the islands – the experience in these places is vastly different.

Don’t miss the chance to explore Greek cuisine – it’s truly diverse and unique. To find the best spots, don’t hesitate to ask the locals for recommendations. They’ll be happy to suggest their favorite places.

I recommend planning a two-week trip – this will give you enough time to relax and explore the surroundings.

And, of course, don’t forget to bring a good snorkeling mask. The crystal-clear water and the rich underwater will fascinate you. Exploring the underwater world is one of the most thrilling activities Greece has to offer."