From Working Student to Full-Time Developer: Majid’s Journey at empiriecom
11. Nov 2025
When Majid came to Germany to pursue his studies, he didn’t imagine that his first student job would one day turn into a full-time career. But that is exactly what happened at empiriecom. The transition brought more responsibility, deeper insights, and a few unexpected lessons along the way.
Lesezeit: 3 Minuten
Majid has already gained a lot of professional experience. Before starting his master’s degree in International Software Systems Science, he had worked as both a physics teacher and a self taught software developer in Iran. During a joint project to develop an app, he discovered how much he enjoyed working on software-related topics and decided to deepen his knowledge through academic (self) study. After spending some years working for an insurance company and a start-up in the USA as a programmer, he realized that to grow further and compete internationally, he needed a stronger theoretical foundation. That realization ultimately brought him to Germany.
With a place to study in Bamberg and a working student position at empiriecom, Majid found himself in the ideal situation. “Here I can combine my academic learning with practical experience,” he says. “I get to apply what I study directly at work and develop both professionally and personally.” Compared to his previous experiences in other companies, empiriecom stood out to him right away. “The atmosphere here is very special,” he explains. “Everyone is friendly, open, and supportive. You really feel that people want to help each other grow.”
Learning the basics as a working student
Majid began as a working student in software development. His early projects focused on internal tools that made everyday work easier for other developers.
“For example,” he recalls, “I built a backoffice dashboard that allowed teams to change configurations with just a few clicks instead of going into the code each time. It wasn’t part of the company’s main product, but it helped improve our internal processes.”
At that time, he concentrated on learning and exploring mostly because he was new to Java and the cloud. “I was still a student, so my projects were a bit more experimental. I wasn’t yet working on live systems but on tools that supported the development teams.”
Taking the next step
While completing his studies, Majid joined empiriecom full-time. Suddenly, he was responsible for production-level projects that clients actually used in their e-commerce shops. “The main difference was that I was now working on real systems with real users,” he explains. “I became part of a major initiative to improve our infrastructure and reduce software costs. The work was challenging but exciting. We handled large-scale systems, faced tight deadlines, and made decisions that really mattered.”
Being involved in meetings and technical discussions made him feel more integrated. “You are no longer just a student. You are part of the core team.”
The transition was not always easy. Majid was still finishing his master’s thesis at the time, and balancing both responsibilities required discipline. “At one point, I decided to take two weeks off to focus entirely on my thesis. Switching between academic work and company projects every day was difficult, but in the end, it worked out.”
What surprised him most was how often his academic knowledge came in handy. “There were moments when I had to go back to my university notes to solve real problems at work,” he says with a smile. “You always think you will never use that theoretical stuff, but then suddenly you do. It was great to see how those abstract concepts applied to real situations.”
Throughout this period, the team’s support was a key factor. “Even though I had more responsibility and tighter deadlines, I never felt overwhelmed. Communication within the team was always open, and everything was handled professionally. That made it easier to grow and learn.”
Today, Majid works as a software developer in the core team, contributing to both backend and frontend development. Looking ahead, he could imagine combining his passion for technology with his academic interests. “I really enjoy working in the industry, but I also love the academic environment. Maybe one day I’ll be a guest lecturer while continuing to work in tech.”
Looking back, Majid sees his path as proof that it is possible to grow professionally while still studying. “My journey shows that you can develop your skills and gain valuable experience before graduation. When the time comes to move into a full-time role, you already have a strong foundation.”
For Majid, the working student job at empiriecom was just the beginning. Now that he has joined full-time, he is ready for the next chapter and the challenges that await him.
