How to prepare

Ksenia Andryushchenko,

a first-year Master’s student in mathematical and computer modeling (winner of the Numerical Methods track)

In the selection round of ITMO Mega Contest, there are several blocks of tasks where you need to type in your answer. My track was mainly focused on functional analysis, probability theory, statistics, and mathematical and AI modeling. In the final round, there are several problems for which you need to provide a detailed solution, including the problem description, the steps to your solution, its theoretical foundation, formulas, and the program you wrote for calculations.

My tips for this year’s participants are the following:

• In advance, check what you can use during the contest. For instance, in my track, we could use our notes, so I wrote some as I was preparing for the contest. These notes had to be based on the literature recommended by the organizers; if you don’t have time to read everything in detail, take the time to at least skim the contents to see what topics you can expect and what examples of problems they provide.

• Prepare your workspace in accordance with the guidelines. Install all the necessary programming software. If you face any issues, such as your camera freezing, the curator who’s always online during the final round will help you fix them.

• Take the time to solve the demo tasks and the tasks from previous years. Sometimes, you’ll see similar tasks during the contest.

Anastasiia Galanina,

a first-year Master’s student in industrial biotechnology (winner of the Biotechnology track)

In my track, the selection round featured mostly tests, while in the final round there were various kinds of tasks (multiple choice, matching pairs, and problems), which made it harder. The topics included everything from industrial biotechnology to genetic engineering. However, we could use any resources during the competition, so you could excel with a basic knowledge of the subject.

Before the competition, you should pay special attention to the demo tasks. In their structure and difficulty level, they are very close to the actual tasks you will have to face in the selection round. Going through them, you will be able to figure out which topics you need to brush up on. I’d also recommend trying your hand at several tracks, which will increase your chances of winning and help you practice the competition’s format.

Vladislav Prokopiev,

a first-year Master’s student in high-tech business management (winner in the track Innovatics)

In Innovatics, the tasks in both the selection and final rounds focused on analyzing the market, competitors, and partners, as well as predicting your results. Here, I relied on the knowledge I received in entrepreneurship culture courses at ITMO, as well as on my own experience of developing a project.

If you are participating in ITMO Mega Contest, don’t be scared – just show everyone what you’ve got. Go through the demo tasks, identify your growth points, and use the recommended literature to target your weak points. And dare to try yourself in several tracks.

What next

Ksenia Andryushchenko,

a first-year Master’s student in mathematical and computer modeling (winner of the Numerical Methods track)

In just one semester of my Master’s studies, I acquired more knowledge than in the last two years of my Bachelor’s program. I’ve already completed an advanced course in probability theory, a course in AI, and a course by the company YADRO on natural language processing. All of this helps me to work on my projects and advance my thesis. 

Another change in my life since getting into ITMO is that I’ve found a job. Earlier, I worked as a software engineer at a company that develops information systems and devices for business process automation. I didn’t even consider the positions of a data scientist or machine learning engineer because I lacked the experience. Now, thanks to knowledge I acquired at my Master’s program and my flexible schedule, I can move towards a job that truly interests me.

Anastasiia Galanina,

a first-year Master’s student in industrial biotechnology (winner of the Biotechnology track)

I am currently diving into industrial biotechnology, a new field for me. In the first semester, I already took my first steps in IT, which was totally unfamiliar to me. For instance, I learned the basics of Python, some data processing and analysis methods, as well as statistical and data visualization approaches. I’ve worked with big datasets – I’ve created and processed my first dataset, too! I am planning to use my newly acquired skills in biotechnology research and projects. I am also participating in a six-month hackathon, for which my team and I have already created our first MVP of an atopic dermatitis treatment; we have defended the MVP in front of an expert board. In September, I also passed the selection for a nine-month paid internship at Baltika – my theory training starts in January.

Vladislav Prokopiev,

a first-year Master’s student in high-tech business management (winner in the track Innovatics)

Winning the Mega Contest has allowed me to enroll in the program High-Tech Business Management. And thanks to that program, I was able to develop my career path and find my dream job. In my workplace, I constantly apply the things I’ve learned at ITMO, such as how to set goals and tasks or monitor projects using various boards and tracking tools. But the most important skill is my experience of working with external projects, as well as knowing how to work with product and business metrics.

For international students, ITMO Mega Contest offers two tracks: Physics and Robotics. The contest is open to Bachelor’s students and graduates.

Registration is open until January 14. To join the contest, go to the official website and choose your track(s).