"There are so many different paths to choose from; you can end up almost anywhere depending on your interests!"

– There’s a stereotype that programmers are introverted people who just sit at home in front of their computers. But that’s not true! It’s really about incredibly social people who are passionate about problem-solving, says Kiasar Mian, former student and now lecturer in the Bachelor Programme in Software Development.

– Programming can drive you mad. But when you finally have the finished product, it’s like a weight lifted off your shoulders. It’s pure joy!

Kiasar Mian is 25 years old and has been working with computers for as long as he can remember. His graduation photo featured a two-year-old boy sitting in front of a screen. During his teenage years, his interest shifted from gaming and watching films on his computer to proper programming.

– I really enjoy problem-solving - struggling to go from nothing to a finished product, he says.

After finishing a technical programme in upper secondary school, he worked at the web consulting firm Nerds of Sweden for a couple of years. He then moved to the US and became a developer for a company outside San Francisco.

– Those were exciting years. But I felt I wanted a more comprehensive education in programming. A friend recommended Kristianstad University, and I realised it had exactly what I was looking for.

Understanding the underlying logic

In autumn 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, Kiasar moved to Kristianstad to begin the Bachelor Programme in Software Development.

– At that time, all teaching was held online, but we students quickly started connecting with each other, both digitally and in real life.

Thanks to his previous experience, he found the first courses quite basic. But to his surprise, there were also aspects that were entirely new.

– Many times during lectures or lab sessions, I’d have these moments of insight: ‘I’ve never thought about this before!’ It’s one thing to write code, and another to understand the underlying thought processes. At the programme, we learned the importance of stepping back and thoroughly considering techniques and methods.

Already by the second semester, the courses became much more advanced, and he found the pace suitably challenging.

– One of the more interesting courses was on algorithms and data structures. Diving into time complexity and examining how fast an algorithm can run - that’s something I definitely wouldn’t have learned if I hadn’t gone to university!

Varied prior knowledge

His classmates came from a wide range of ages and experiences. Some had just graduated from upper secondary school, while others had families and different career backgrounds. Together with two classmates, Kiasar decided to organise extra lectures to support students struggling with mathematics or programming. These sessions became very popular, eventually attracting a steady group of 25 to 30 students who actively participated and asked questions.

– Students have quite varied levels of prior knowledge, and it’s hard for the lecturers to adapt to everyone. That’s why it’s great when students can also help each other in certain areas.

Over time, the extra lectures became more formal and were held both in the classroom and online. According to Kiasar, this was possible thanks to the close connections and short decision-making paths at Kristianstad University. He quickly felt at home in the faculty and eventually became involved as a student representative in the student union.

A world of opportunities

As graduation approached, Kiasar began to think about his future plans.

– I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do… but I preferred something meaningful - more than just programming a new background colour for a Google page.

Around this time, he heard that Kristianstad University would be opening a position for a lecturer in the Bachelor Programme in Software Development.

– The more I thought about it, the more certain I became. I realised this was exactly what I wanted to pursue.

Since last autumn, he has been teaching programming courses across all three years of the programme, as well as a data analysis course for third-year students.

– I love it! It’s really rewarding to watch students develop, especially when someone starts out nervous and doubting their abilities and gradually becomes more confident. I often tell students: it’s not the end of the world if you fail an exam—that’s why resits exist!

"I’ve become truly humbled by how skilled and dedicated my colleagues are."

Becoming a lecturer himself has given him many new insights into pedagogy and group dynamics.

– I’ve become truly humbled by how skilled and dedicated my colleagues are. I now see the university with new eyes - there’s so much work being done behind the scenes to make things as good as possible for the students.

Even though he chose to stay at the university, he emphasises that the world and the job market are wide open for anyone who wants to explore opportunities after completing the Bachelor Programme in Software Development.

– There are so many different paths to choose from, and you can end up almost anywhere based on your interests. Plus, new developments come out every day, so you always need to stay updated. Learning really never stops.