From Security to System Administration: How the Right Environment Turns Interest into Opportunity

You have been with the company for 5 years now. Did you start at Softjourn as a system administrator, or did you switch careers?

I joined the company as a Security Guard. I worked in that role for some time, but I’ve always been drawn to technology. I enjoy taking things apart, tinkering with them, cleaning, configuring, and figuring out how they work.

Before serving in the military, I worked as a sales consultant for computer hardware. I also tried my hand at QA and even completed courses, but it wasn’t for me. I found it a bit boring.

Back when we worked at our office on Tychyny 7, I sat near the system administrators. I watched what they did and occasionally helped out with cleaning equipment, assembling hardware, even soldering components. I found it fascinating.

When the full-scale war began, one of my colleagues left to serve in the armed forces, and I stepped up to take over part of his duties. While still working as the Head of Security, I constantly asked the sysadmin team for recommendations on what to study, which courses to take, and which lectures to watch.

Eventually, an opening came up for an administrator responsible for hardware issuance, repairs, and maintenance. The team saw my potential and invited me to give it a shot.

I jumped at the chance. Security is a fine job, but you hit a career ceiling pretty fast. In that moment, I realized that any ceiling can be broken through.

I completed a two-stage internship: first came the technical track focused on hardware maintenance and distribution, followed by a more systems-focused track. My colleagues walked me through everything, teaching and demonstrating every step. In less than a year, I completed both stages and learned quite a lot.

The best part was that the learning was heavily practical. I learn much faster by doing rather than just sitting through lectures or reading books. The team demonstrated everything, assigned hands-on tasks, and set up tests so I could try it myself.

Another thing is that there are no boundaries to your growth here. The more you learn, the stronger a specialist you become. Long-term, there's always room to grow, for example, into DevOps.

What does a System Administrator actually do day-to-day?

It really depends on the company. At our organization, the System Administrator role is quite broad. We manage the network, oversee servers, and handle hardware issuance and maintenance. 

Personally, I’m also responsible for video surveillance systems and camera configuration because I still combine some of my security-related responsibilities with my current role.

In larger organizations, these duties can be divided among multiple specialists. Some people focus exclusively on networking, while others work only with hardware or infrastructure.

Which myths about System Administrators amuse you the most?

By far the most common myth about sysadmins, and IT professionals in general, is that anyone who works in IT automatically knows how to fix anything with a plug.

Almost everyone in the industry has experienced this: relatives or acquaintances assume that if you work in IT, you can rewire a microwave, fix a dishwasher, or repair anything that plugs into a socket. But, of course, that’s not how it works.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I genuinely enjoy working with hardware: understanding how things are built, repairing them, soldering components, and bringing devices back to life.

It’s far less monotonous than sitting at a desk writing documentation or configuring network routines all day, which is actually the more challenging side for me right now. I still have a lot to learn on that front. I’m naturally more hands-on: I like building things, hooking them up, configuring them, and watching them run smoothly.

How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing System Administration

AI makes some parts of the work significantly easier and faster.

In the past, if an unusual network or hardware issue came up, you had to spend hours digging through forums to see if anyone else had encountered the same problem.

Now, it helps identify potential root causes and points you in the right direction much faster.

What is your favorite memory from your time at the company?

My very first day. I was referred by a friend with whom I had served in the military. I came in for an interview one evening; we talked over coffee, and then they told me, "We’re expecting you at work tomorrow at 8 a.m."

I mentioned that I still needed to resign at my previous job. They smiled and said, "You have until 8 a.m."

I spent the evening thinking it over, and just like that, I changed jobs overnight. The next morning, I was already at Softjourn.

Do you have a favorite company tradition?

Probably the very first one I participated in – Vyshyvanka Day.

I had just received my first traditional embroidered shirt as a gift shortly before that. On the day of the event, I was wearing it for our team photo.

What’s a funny or challenging case you’ve encountered?

Writing user instructions! Even though we work with IT professionals, smart people who write code and build software, anyone can get stuck on something simple or unexpected.

Creating good, detailed instructions, often complete with step-by-step screenshots, is a real art form in itself.

What drives you outside of work?

Sports. I actively swim, go to the gym, and practice arm wrestling. This year, I completed my first Oceanman competition. Our colleague Oleg Sorokopud inspired me to take on the challenge.

It was an incredible experience. I completed the 2.5 km swim, set a personal record, and had an absolute blast.

What do you enjoy most about Softjourn?

First and foremost, the people. This is honestly the first job where I can truly say I look forward to starting work every day. There’s genuine warmth, peer support, and endless room for development.

My journey proves that you can grow into a technical role even without a formal CS degree—my academic background is actually in physical education. What made it possible is joining a team that genuinely supports you; here, everyone is willing to step in, guide you, and answer any questions.

I also never imagined I would return to studying English in my thirties, but the company provides the resources to do that too. If you want to develop your skills, you’ll find full support here.

Apart from that, I deeply appreciate that the company never forgets those who went on to serve in the military. We have a charitable foundation and veteran support initiatives. A lot is done with people in mind.

Many former colleagues who now work elsewhere tell me they miss the atmosphere we have here: the warmth, the openness, and the chance to chat with coworkers and discover shared interests. We have genuinely friendly people and supportive management here.

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a System Administrator?

Most of my knowledge came directly from hands-on experience and learning from my peers.

If I had to recommend a foundation, I’d suggest studying networks, cybersecurity, and keeping up with emerging technologies.

Definitely pay close attention to AI tools and integrations. Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, and System Administration offers plenty of opportunities to integrate AI into daily workflows.

And, of course, stay curious about hardware. Keep track of new releases, market trends, and which hardware solutions perform best for specific tasks

Everything else comes with experience. The most important thing is to be open to learning and to seize every opportunity that comes your way.