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The transition from military service to civilian life is one of the key challenges facing thousands of Ukrainians today. Following their service, many veterans rethink their professional paths and choose new directions. Interest in information technology remains high among demobilized military personnel as well.
According to a survey of graduates of the “IT for Veterans” program by EPAM Campus, Junior Developer is the most popular position among respondents, and every fourth graduate who actively sought employment has already secured a job.
Following their career change, 27% of veterans have successfully found their place in the IT industry and are working in their field*. Another quarter are actively looking for their first job, going through interviews and testing. At the main time, 31% of respondents have not yet found employment and are not currently looking for work. A significant portion of this group continues to serve in the ranks of the Defense Forces, undergoes rehabilitation, or is recovering from injuries, making professional re-skilling the next phase for them.
The biggest challenge for training participants is the English language. The second major barrier is time. Approximately half of those mastering a new specialty are active-duty servicemen, and they are often on the frontline. We have had cases where veterans joined classes right from the trenches. We also notice that active-duty servicemen complete the training less frequently than demobilized ones
explains Denis Hrynyov, Head of EPAM Campus Educational Programs.
The speed of finding a first job varies among veterans. The largest group of graduates—every fourth one—finds a project within a week to a month, while another 18% secure employment within 3 months. Graduates note that the main challenges along this path include a limited number of Junior vacancies on the market, the complexity of technical interviews and tests, high competition, and the language barrier.
An interesting trend is how veterans actually find jobs. Networking and personal connections became the primary channel for every fifth graduate. These are followed by specialized job boards (Work.ua, Djinni) at 15%, LinkedIn at 11%, and instructor recommendations at 7%.
I had almost no break for recovery between the army and my studies. When unresolved military problems are constantly spinning in your head, you really have to push yourself to absorb new information
says Andrii Zhupnyk, who developed a sound recording studio in Lviv before his service and decided to study IT after demobilization.
At the same time, after completing the courses, Andrii became a Junior Software Engineer and now works on a volunteer project for Foodbank Ukraine (an initiative transferring unsold products from stores to vulnerable populations).
Vladyslav Hvizd from Kolomyia was serving in the army under a contract when the full-scale invasion began. The veteran compares military experience to IT:
No war is fought without people—everything relies entirely on the human factor, on the shoulder of the comrade next to you. In IT, everything is arranged the exact same way: people, trust, and communication are what matter. When you return from the front, you may face uncertainty, and it can be difficult to reintegrate into non-military processes. When the desire to quit work arises due to novelty and complexity, the positive experience of fellow brothers-in-arms who have mastered a new field comes in handy. It proves that life goes on and you can once again be useful to society and your family.
– says Vladyslav.
A new recruitment for the free “IT for Veterans” program by EPAM Campus has begun. Registration for military personnel is open until September 20 via the link: https://epa.ms/pr-5596
*The survey involved 55 graduates of the “IT for Veterans” program by EPAM Campus. The survey period was from June 15 to June 30, 2026. The profile of participants and their adaptation metrics cover employment experience, job search duration, networking channels, and career dynamics after graduation.
