From Passion to Profession: How an Internship Program Fueled These Developers' OpenEdge Journeys

Through the transformative experience of the Baltic Amadeus Developer Academy, four developers equipped themselves with the skills and expertise needed to launch thriving professional careers with the Progress OpenEdge language and database.

This blog highlights the crucial role OpenEdge customers and partners play in nurturing new talent through internship programs. By investing in initiatives like these, organizations can proactively grow their OpenEdge developer base—an essential strategy for addressing the challenge of finding skilled professionals in the field.

Baltic Amadeus: A Trusted Progress Partner for Over 30 Years

Baltic Amadeus (BA) has been a close Progress Partner since 1994. Over the last 30 years, the company has worked in logistics, eCommerce, fintech, telecommunications, manufacturing, retail and many other industries across Europe and the U.S. The company’s experienced Progress OpenEdge developers support client business needs as they emerge.

The Baltic Amadeus Developer Academy, which was created because customers needed multiple developers to work on their OpenEdge applications, not only trains aspiring developers but also plays a crucial role in shaping the future of OpenEdge development for numerous organizations that depend on skilled OpenEdge developers.

The Academy provides a comprehensive introduction to various topics, guided by diverse mentors who bring different teaching styles. This variety keeps the learning process engaging and dynamic. To explore developers’ first-hand experiences with the Baltic Amadeus Developer Academy, keep reading.

Meet Eglė Kazbaraitė, 26

Eglė’s journey into the IT sector is a testament to the power of determination and the willingness to embrace new opportunities. Her path to becoming a developer began a year and a half ago. Before this, she had no connection to the IT sector. A significant relocation prompted her to seek new opportunities and consider a career change. Despite the challenge of finding a job without experience, the Baltic Amadeus’ Developer Academy internship program gave her an in. This program introduced her to OpenEdge, and after two months, she became a full-time developer.

“It was actually a great experience because we were not just learning from lectures, but from those who were actively using their time to teach us. It was also great to have Progress OpenEdge information from the Progress documentation, which helped us focus on the most important things we needed to build the basics for ourselves. It was a really good experience, and one of our mentors even became my team lead.”

First Impressions of the OpenEdge Platform

Coming from a Java background, Eglė found the OpenEdge Advanced Business Language (ABL) refreshingly human-readable and easy to memorize. This made it easier for her to understand new code and work through examples, especially during her time at the BA Developer Academy. Eglė’s favorite feature of the OpenEdge platform is its close integration with databases. This integrated environment allows developers to operate seamlessly with databases, making the development process more efficient and straightforward.

Advice for Aspiring OpenEdge Developers

Eglė advises new developers to start with the basic course provided by Progress , which offers valuable insights into the OpenEdge language. She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and taking advantage of available resources, such as the Progress documentation and courses. Since completing the BA Developer Academy, she continues to learn and even earned her OpenEdge certification.

Meet Dmitrij Purynzin, 26

Dmitrij’s journey into the world of development began during the pandemic in 2020, driven by a curiosity about how electronic devices and software work. In 2021, he enrolled in a .NET framework course offered by Baltic Amadeus. After a year of self-study, Dmitrij enrolled in a ten-month structured modular program. Upon completing the program, Dmitrij began searching for internships at the start of 2024. Dmitrij’s OpenEdge journey began when he came across an advertisement for the language and database.

Initially unfamiliar with the technology, he decided to give it a try. He was amazed by its capabilities and the close integration with databases. This newfound interest led him to join the Baltic Amadeus Developer Academy, where he spent two months learning and working on various tasks and projects.

Thoughts On the Developer Academy

Dmitrij speaks highly of the Baltic Amadeus Developer Academy, where experienced developers serve as mentors. The Academy provided practical, hands-on learning experiences, allowing Dmitrij to gain valuable insights and skills. After completing the BA Developer Academy, he and his colleagues were invited to join Baltic Amadeus as junior developers.

Embrace Challenges and Learn Independently

One of Dmitrij’s key pieces of advice is to embrace challenges and strive to solve problems independently. He encourages new developers to try things on their own before seeking help from others. While it is important to ask questions and seek guidance from experienced colleagues, the first step should always be to attempt to solve the problem yourself. This approach helps build problem-solving skills and fosters a deeper understanding of technology.

“You need to learn to work individually. In my opinion, there are no jobs you can do entirely alone, but teams are built on the talent each individual brings. So, try to learn and solve problems by yourself first. If you try hard and show passion, and still can’t find a solution, then it’s easier to get help from seniors. They want to see you struggle a bit because it’s part of the learning process.”

Meet Saulė Jonynaitė, 22

Saulė’s initial foray into application development was sparked in school, thanks to a friend who suggested she try it. This suggestion proved to be a pivotal moment, sparking a passion that would shape her career. She found the process of coding fascinating and was immediately hooked. Six years later, she is still passionate about it, and this early interest laid the foundation for her future endeavors in the tech industry.

When seeking career opportunities, she discovered the Baltic Amadeus Developer Academy. After applying and being accepted, Saulė started her journey to becoming an OpenEdge developer. Now, as a junior developer with Baltic, she is excited to move forward with the language.

First Impressions of the OpenEdge Platform

Because of her experience with other programming languages, like Python and Java, she appreciates the OpenEdge syntax and other unique aspects. She particularly values transaction control and integrated databases, which simplify development and make the language more efficient to work with.

“Once I became more familiar with it, I really enjoyed the syntax. I found the transaction handling to be especially useful and very easy to use. Another thing I appreciated was how well the database is integrated—it’s very cohesive and works seamlessly with the language. Overall, I like it a lot.”

Advice for Aspiring Developers

For those new to the OpenEdge language, Saulė suggests approaching it with an open mind. She encourages new developers not to fear mistakes or challenges, as these are integral to the learning process. Embracing these moments as opportunities for growth is key to becoming a proficient developer.

Meet Gustas Mickus, 20

Gustas began his professional journey in August 2024, marking his first formal job. Although he officially started his internship between August and September, his passion for programming dates back seven years. During this time, he engaged in various small projects, learning about different technologies.

Reflecting on his time at the Baltic Amadeus Developer Academy, Gustas describes it as a valuable experience. Sessions led by seasoned developers from the company helped him learn from their OpenEdge expertise. After about a month and a half of daily four-hour lectures and occasional homework, they embarked on a two-week project using the OpenEdge development platform. This project allowed them to apply their new knowledge and collaborate effectively. After completing the program, he became a junior developer with Baltic Amadeus.

Learning the OpenEdge Language

“A general piece of advice that works especially well for OpenEdge is that collaboration is of utmost importance because we can learn so much from others. Especially in OpenEdge, where the community is very tight-knit, we have many people who have been coding and using these technologies for years—some for decades. Don’t be afraid to ask for their input or advice, because most of the time, they’re happy to help new developers and are interested in seeing new developers and talking with them.”

What Makes the OpenEdge Platform Stand Out

Gustas highlights the strong community and the wealth of experience among OpenEdge developers. Many have been working with the platform for decades, providing valuable insights into the evolution of development.

Empowering Future OpenEdge Developers

These aspiring developers transformed their passion into a profession thanks to internship programs developed by this Progress OpenEdge partner. By fostering a supportive and dynamic learning environment, the Baltic Amadeus Academy not only equips developers with essential skills but also addresses the industry’s demand for proficient OpenEdge professionals. The success stories of Eglė, Dmitrij, Saulė and Gustas underscore the significant impact of these internship programs. As organizations continue to invest in nurturing new talent, they pave the way for a robust and innovative future in OpenEdge development.

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