The value of networking, a unique career path and Skoltech
Anton Bozhedarov, 2020 MSc graduate | RQC, Business Developer
Meet Anton Bozhedarov, Skoltech MSc graduate and Business Developer at the Russian Quantum Center. To ensure a strong start to his career, Anton searched for opportunities way before graduating from Skoltech. His hard skills, connections and openness to new experiences led him on a unique path. Enjoy Anton's story!
my Skoltech journey
I have always been interested in pushing the limits of my abilities, proving to myself that I can achieve challenging goals. And I also think it's right to be among intelligent and enthusiastic people. It helps you develop yourself. People are the most valuable resource in life. Therefore, joining Skoltech was a challenge and a significant investment for me at the same time.
During my undergraduate studies, I have started studying quantum computing. The area is promising and has a reasonably broad scope for various activities. For example, from research in quantum information theory and quantum computer programming to directly building these quantum computers. My entry point was quantum information theory at MIPT. Then, at Skoltech, I joined the lab of Professor Jacob Biamonte. Together we studied the possibilities and limitations of quantum algorithms, the connection between the phenomena of quantum physics and computer science. These things are really impressive.
Skoltech has one of the best Master's programs in computer science, top-level international scientists and English as a medium of instruction. Moreover, students can mix intense technical courses with entrepreneurial education. This makes Skoltech a unique place in Russia.
During my undergraduate studies, I have started studying quantum computing. The area is promising and has a reasonably broad scope for various activities. For example, from research in quantum information theory and quantum computer programming to directly building these quantum computers. My entry point was quantum information theory at MIPT. Then, at Skoltech, I joined the lab of Professor Jacob Biamonte. Together we studied the possibilities and limitations of quantum algorithms, the connection between the phenomena of quantum physics and computer science. These things are really impressive.
Skoltech has one of the best Master's programs in computer science, top-level international scientists and English as a medium of instruction. Moreover, students can mix intense technical courses with entrepreneurial education. This makes Skoltech a unique place in Russia.
SKOLTECH MASTER'S PROGRAMS
Skoltech is a new international English-speaking STEM university in Moscow, Russia. We united dozens of researchers and globally renowned professors, built a stunning campus, set up world-class labs and made it to the top 100 young universities in the Nature Index. Explore all Master's programs>>
searching for a job
From my perspective, it is a bad idea to wait until graduation and then starting to look for a job. Most universities have an open environment for communication. You can always talk to your older friends or tutors about professional opportunities. And you can think about your career path in advance.
I failed several job interviews in the 3rd year of my bachelor's degree. But it was a valuable experience for me. I have understood what kind of hard skills are required to be a young scientist. And (what a surprise) we didn't have relevant courses in the educational program at all. And I started to learn about modern physics by myself.
After that, I plunged into the field of quantum information and decided to try to get a job again. And it just happens that there is always a lack of specialists in quantum computing. But the peculiarity of the field is that job openings are rarely published. So you need to show your own interest and find a job via direct networking. This is how I found my first position during my undergraduate studies: I wrote a letter to the head of one of the laboratories at the Russian Quantum Center. And after completing a practice task, they hired me.
I failed several job interviews in the 3rd year of my bachelor's degree. But it was a valuable experience for me. I have understood what kind of hard skills are required to be a young scientist. And (what a surprise) we didn't have relevant courses in the educational program at all. And I started to learn about modern physics by myself.
After that, I plunged into the field of quantum information and decided to try to get a job again. And it just happens that there is always a lack of specialists in quantum computing. But the peculiarity of the field is that job openings are rarely published. So you need to show your own interest and find a job via direct networking. This is how I found my first position during my undergraduate studies: I wrote a letter to the head of one of the laboratories at the Russian Quantum Center. And after completing a practice task, they hired me.
current job
Now I do business development at QBoard (quantum computing startup of Russian Quantum Center). The innovative courses at Skoltech were not in vain for me:). One could say that I was fortunate with this job because the position was opened especially for me. Many thanks to Alex Fedorov, the head of the Quantum Information Technologies Lab at RQC. It is because of him I stayed at the RQC and was able to make the transition to a new area for me, business development. Now I can fully use my hard and soft skills :)
Business development involves finding new customers, constant testing of business hypotheses and developing new sales strategies. I often have to explain to potential customers the advantage of quantum computing and the need to start R&D in that field right now. For this purpose, I have to prepare lots of explanatory materials, do business analytics and identify potential business problems for the joint development of quantum computing software.
I have unique expertise in my field. I need to be professionally versed in quantum computing, understand business tasks on the client's side, and also conduct combat intelligence, so to speak :). Customer development is quite a non-trivial task for quantum computing. So I am making the most of the entire set of skills that I acquired at Skoltech, from quantum computing and data analysis to technology entrepreneurship.
Business development involves finding new customers, constant testing of business hypotheses and developing new sales strategies. I often have to explain to potential customers the advantage of quantum computing and the need to start R&D in that field right now. For this purpose, I have to prepare lots of explanatory materials, do business analytics and identify potential business problems for the joint development of quantum computing software.
I have unique expertise in my field. I need to be professionally versed in quantum computing, understand business tasks on the client's side, and also conduct combat intelligence, so to speak :). Customer development is quite a non-trivial task for quantum computing. So I am making the most of the entire set of skills that I acquired at Skoltech, from quantum computing and data analysis to technology entrepreneurship.
some advice to future scientists
During my time at Skoltech (and beyond), I've taken away a few lessons. As a young scientist, I've learned to:
- Maintain high standards. You don't need to be too much a perfectionist, but high-quality work always makes you stand out. And it doesn't matter what you do in particular.
- Be proactive. New opportunities usually hide where you don't expect them. And you need to be able to find them by yourself.
- Appreciate people, ask others for help and help others. It is hard to overestimate the power of networking.
and now about Skoltech
We are Skoltech – a new international English-speaking STEM university that was founded by the group of world-renowned scientists in 2011 in Moscow, Russia. In just 8 years, we united dozens of researchers and globally renowned professors, built a stunning campus, set up world-class labs and made it to the top 100 young universities in the Nature Index. Read more >>
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