Dragan Miladinoski just passed his 11-year mark at Polar Cape, and he was kind enough to take the time and answer a few questions about his time here. We spoke about the past, the future, and everything in between.
How long have you been with Polar Cape?
11 and counting. I have just entered my 12th year at Polar Cape.
Has your role evolved over the years?
Yes, a lot. I started off as a Junior JAVA Developer and decided I needed to expand my knowledge. I started learning about many other technologies, such as Test Automation, PHP, Angular, Mobile, etc. After a while I got my first Team Lead Role on a very interesting project and this role will remain among my dear memories, forever. After that I became a Consultant Manager, and this is where I am right now. At the same time, I manage our internships and graduate programs. But I have never stopped being a Java Developer as well 😊
Any plans about where you want your career to go?
The direction has already been set – management and some development 😊
What’s your favourite thing about: your job, your company, favourite work moment?
My favourite thing about my job is the daily meetings with my project team, since they are a unique team. I like gathering with my CM team, we always know how to have a good time together. I like going to the office to meet my colleagues, chat, play table football and ping pong.
As for the company, my favourite thing is the company culture and the friendships we have among each other. You can feel free to ask, and colleagues are always willing to help you out. Polar Cape is a good place for personal upgrade, knowledge expansion, and working on interesting projects while having fun.
The moments that have remained with me are the kickoffs, especially Dubai, it was an unforgettable moment.
Tell us more about being an IT Consultant?
I was one of the first 4 employees of PC Macedonia. It was a dream come true, especially because I’ve wanted to be in IT ever since I had my first contact with a Commodore PC as a child. I then received the proper education, and the rest is history. But wishing to work in IT is one thing, and being an IT Consultant is another. It means being committed to a lifetime of learning and knowledge expansion, being motivated, communicative, team-oriented, knowing how to listen and being open to different thoughts and ideas.
What was it like working at Polar Cape in the beginning?
We were a few colleagues working from a small office. We threw great social events, and we always helped each other out. The most interesting thing was that we stuck together: our roles were interchangeable, and sometimes we all got to work on the same projects.
Describe for us, how you see the growth of Polar Cape over the years?
It’s been like raising a child, from its birthdate, through being a teenager. Now I am waiting for adulthood.
What’s your contribution to how the company looks today?
As I mentioned in the beginning, one of my roles over the years has been managing Polar Cape’s internships and Graduate Program, and through the years we’ve seen it all: online internships, interns from all over the country (one from outside the country), overqualified ones even – but we have always given our best to show recognition for talent. In total we’ve had more than 100 interviews, 45 individual internship programs, 3 graduate programs (18 interns), 1 international internship program, and at the end of it – 20 happy employees from all those programs.
It’s incredible to see those individuals grow over the years. Some of them were just out of university or still studying when they became interns, and now they are CMs. It’s amazing to be able to watch them grow from a front row seat.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I want to spend more fun times with my family and friends, I like beach time, camping, kayaking, biking, hiking, and skiing.
Anything you would like to share with our audience, or perhaps future Polar Capers?
I’ve been here 11 years, isn’t that’s saying enough – it’s the best company 😊
