Chea Bunlong chose the Software Development Professional Program at IT Academy STEP Cambodia with a clear focus on building practical, industry-ready skills. Today, he works as a Data Engineer & DevOps at Smart, applying the technical foundation he developed during his studies to real-world systems and infrastructure in one of Cambodia’s leading companies.
For Bunlong, one of the strongest advantages of the program was that the lessons are up-to-date and aligned with the current Software Development market. He shares that the curriculum meets industry expectations and reflects what companies are actually looking for in developers. In a fast-moving field like technology, staying current is critical, and he believes the program successfully prepares students for today’s demands.
A major part of his learning experience was project-based practice. After understanding the fundamentals from lecturers, he was able to apply his knowledge through hands-on projects, which significantly strengthened his technical confidence. He learned not only how to write code, but how to think through problems and build working solutions. He found Game Development particularly interesting, noting that it covers so many areas that it could even be developed into its own separate course.
While he suggests that some modules, such as Cloud Engineering, could benefit from more practical sessions and licensed tools, he emphasizes that the overall learning experience is strong and valuable. He also appreciates that the academy continues to improve its curriculum, highlighting the inclusion of Python in the updated Software Development program as a positive step forward.
When asked if he would recommend IT Academy STEP Cambodia to others, his answer is clear: yes. With an industry-focused curriculum and strong emphasis on practical learning, Bunlong believes the program provides a solid pathway for students who want to build a serious career in Software Development, Data Engineering, or DevOps. His journey reflects how the right training environment can help students transition confidently into Cambodia’s growing digital and technology sector.
