Last month, at our Vilnius office, we opened our doors to working professionals exploring new careers in the tech world. The goal was to create an open and honest space where everyone could discuss what it really takes to move into an IT role, but without the formal technology-related degree that takes years to obtain.
Our team at Gurtam was joined by industry professionals and representatives from Vilnius Coding School and Turing College. We also welcomed “career switchers” from all areas to discuss skill development, employer expectations, and how tech careers are evolving. For many participants, it was the first time sitting in a room with hiring managers, mentors, and tech professionals. Together, they explored the IT world not as something closed, but as far more accessible than most would expect.
Exploring New Pathways to IT
Once everyone gathered, the discussion naturally turned to exploring alternative pathways to IT. Agenda highlights included discussions on whether degrees still matter, what employers seek in skills, how non-technical, so-called “soft skills” fit into the mix of customer and product-centered roles, and how adult learners can use previous experience to map new career paths.
The role of AI also came up during the evening. Professionals and career changers wanted to know more about how AI literacy defines the next generation of tech talent. It was inspiring to see how open and responsive the speakers were. They used an honest approach to explain how IT requires effort, consistency, and curiosity, but not necessarily a formal degree. What really defines success, they agreed, is the ability to solve problems, communicate clearly, and keep learning.
Skills Speak Louder Than Paper
A strong theme of the meetup was that hiring managers are looking for candidate capabilities more than their credentials. Across Lithuania, product-focused companies like ours no longer see diplomas as the main key to readiness. Instead, emphasis is placed on analytical thinking, communication skills, foreign language proficiency, consistency, curiosity, and initiative.
As Oleg Zharkovsky, Head of Quality Control and Training team, said, “You’re not paid for the number of lines of code or tickets you close — you’re paid for the decisions you make every day.”
Turning Experience Into Opportunity
During the evening, many real-world case examples were shared by both Vilnius Coding School and Turing College. These stories showed how non-technical experience can help close the gap when moving into tech. Examples ranged from a city judge moving into data science to a barista becoming a data analyst. Teachers are transitioning into UX or product roles, and public sector workers are developing new skills in operations and customer service.
Gurtam’s Perspective: What We Actually Look For
During our presentation, we looked at what it really takes to succeed in Gurtam’s customer-facing roles. These roles demand strong analytical skills as candidates work with complex telematics software like Wialon, flespi, and GPS Trace. You don’t need a computer science degree to get started – what matters is having the right mindset.
We are ready to train motivated candidates with good foreign language proficiency, analytical thinking, patience, and curiosity. Technical knowledge can be taught, and in many ways this helps Gurtam because the training is directly related to the product or skill base needed rather than a broad theoretical education through a traditional university.
Customer service, for example, is a strategic function that requires domain knowledge, rapid decision-making, and career resilience. For those motivated to “make the leap,” it is a long-term path to a growth-oriented career.
Voices From the Room
A few highlights from the evening captured the spirit of the discussion. Artūras Kaštanovas of the Vilnius Coding School mentioned how “Degrees are dead. Skills decide.” While there is always room for highly educated employees, it is true that alternative learning methods and evidence-based portfolios are equally crucial to candidate viability.
Oleg Zharkovsky from Gurtam added, ‘Working is a skill of its own – you only learn it in practice.’ A reminder that consistency and curiosity often matter more than credentials.
Monika Simaškaitė of Turing College summed it up perfectly: ‘Career switchers aren’t starting over. They’re shifting direction – and bringing valuable experience with them.’
It’s exactly this mindset that made the meetup so inspiring.
What’s Next
The energy of the evening didn’t stop there. If you missed our recent meetup but are thinking about switching to a tech career, stay tuned – we’re already planning the next sessions to keep this conversation going. You can also watch event recordings here.
Follow us on social media and our website for updates on upcoming meetups, community events, and career-focused collaborations.
