Seven-year-old gets job offer from Russian IT firm

A seven-year-old coding prodigy from St. Petersburg, Russia, has received a job offer from a prominent Russian IT firm, Pro32, to join its management team once he is old enough to take on paid employment. Sergey, who has been creating and sharing coding tutorials since the age of five, has quickly become a sensation in the tech world.

Pro32, an information security company, extended a formal job offer to Sergey for the position of head of corporate training, recognizing his impressive skills in programming and teaching. Although Russian labor laws prohibit minors from working for pay until they reach 14, Pro32’s CEO, Igor Mandik, is eager to find ways to collaborate with Sergey and his family until then.

“We’re excited about the possibility of Sergey joining us in the future,” Mandik told the BBC World Service. “I spoke with Sergey’s father, Kirill, and he was surprised by the offer but also very happy and eager for Sergey to eventually become part of our team.”

Sergey’s rise to recognition began with his YouTube channel, where he posts coding tutorials aimed at beginners. His videos, which focus on teaching programming languages like Python and Unity, have gained over 3,500 subscribers. Sergey’s ability to break down complex topics, like neural networks, into easily understandable lessons has captured the attention of both aspiring coders and tech enthusiasts.

His playful and approachable demeanor in the videos, often speaking in both Russian and a bit of English, makes the learning process enjoyable for viewers. In addition to teaching coding, Sergey’s channel also delves into topics related to artificial intelligence, which has further expanded his online following.

Mandik, who has closely followed Sergey’s work, is deeply impressed by his extraordinary skills. He compares Sergey’s potential to that of a young Mozart, referring to his exceptional ability to both develop software and teach others. “For me, Sergey is a kind of Mozart in the world of coding,” Mandik said. “His teaching abilities are just as remarkable as his technical skills. I’m confident that by the time he reaches 14, he’ll be a guru of both development and teaching.”

Mandik envisions Sergey not only helping to train future software developers at Pro32 but also providing guidance to employees in other roles, such as sales and accounting. According to Mandik, Sergey’s ability to teach coding could benefit professionals across various departments, making him an asset to the company.

While the specifics of Sergey’s future salary have not yet been discussed, Mandik is clear about his excitement for the young prodigy’s eventual contributions. “We’ll have to wait for seven years before we can talk about salary,” Mandik joked, acknowledging that the tech industry may change considerably during that time. “But when the time comes, we’ll definitely start a conversation about his pay.”

In the meantime, Sergey continues to grow his online presence, attracting more followers and honing his skills. His videos have become a resource for many young learners eager to get into programming. Sergey’s success story has not only made him a local celebrity in St. Petersburg but has also drawn international attention, inspiring a new generation of coders.

Sergey’s parents, who have supported his passion for coding from a young age, are optimistic about his future. His father, Kirill, expressed his excitement about the job offer, saying he looks forward to the day when Sergey can officially join Pro32. “We’re very proud of him, and we hope that Sergey will continue to inspire others just as much as he has inspired us.”

Sergey’s story highlights the growing trend of young people excelling in fields like technology and coding. His achievements also point to the changing landscape of education and career paths, where age is no longer a barrier to success. As Sergey continues to impress with his coding and teaching abilities, it’s clear that the future holds great things for this young prodigy.

In conclusion, Sergey’s job offer from Pro32 represents not just a recognition of his exceptional skills but also the potential for a future where young people can contribute to the tech industry in meaningful ways, even before they reach adulthood. As Sergey’s journey unfolds, it will be exciting to see how his talents continue to shape the world of coding and technology.