In the fast-paced world of software development, staying ahead is tougher than ever. Technologies evolve so quickly that systems built just a few years ago can become outdated without constant updates. This puts enormous pressure on developers to keep learning and adapting.
We caught up with Konstantin Glumov, a unique software expert, to get his top tips for thriving in this challenging industry.
Konstantin Glumov isn’t just any developer — he’s a trailblazer in backend systems and infrastructure management. From boosting the performance of critical microservices to leading groundbreaking projects at Alfa-Mobile, Konstantin has navigated the toughest challenges in the field.
His theoretical insights are backed by years of hands-on experience and success in transforming complex systems. If you’re a developer looking to stay relevant and excel in this ever-changing landscape, Konstantin’s advice is exactly what you need.
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Embrace Continuous Learning
The software development landscape is ever-changing, with new technologies and methodologies constantly emerging. To stay ahead, developers must commit to continuous learning and stay updated with the latest trends and tools.
Konstantin Glumov’s career demonstrates his dedication to lifelong learning. With a degree in finance and credit from the Higher School of Economics, he began his career as a trader and analyst, gaining valuable insights into financial markets.
His roles have evolved significantly, from portfolio management at companies like “Parma Management” and “Vitus” to head of portfolio management at Ruby Investment Company. In 2018, he transitioned into software development.
He worked on projects for major companies like Rostelecom and the Social Insurance Fund and earned international certifications as an Oracle Certified Associate and Professional in Java SE 8.
As a tech leader at Alfa-Bank, Mr. Glumov continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in software development. His work on the Alfa-Mobile application has been recognized as the best in Russia from 2021 to 2023 by the independent agency Markswebb.
Alfa-Bank, Russia’s largest universal private bank with a customer base of over 30 million people, relies on Konstantin’s expertise to drive innovation, which is reflected in his position of earning one of the highest salaries in the country.
Konstantin Glumov says: “I like the dynamics and innovation of the IT industry. Technologies constantly evolve, and new tools, methods, and approaches emerge. This forces you to constantly learn, improve, and keep updated with the latest trends. Such an environment stimulates personal and professional growth, which is an important source of motivation for me.”
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Adopt A Researcher’s Mindset
Given the rapid evolution of technologies, developers often need to experiment with new tools and approaches to determine their suitability for specific projects.
“Adopt a researcher’s mindset—test hypotheses, conduct experiments, and analyze results,” Mr. Glumov recommends.
Konstantin practices what he preaches. He has developed a backend for several products presented in Alfa-Mobile, including Alpha Subscription, Loyalty and Cashback, Family Bank, and Children’s Bank. “Each project presented unique challenges and required innovative solutions to ensure scalability and efficiency,” adds Konstantin.
One of the standout achievements in Mr. Glumov’s career is his work on the Family Bank microservice. The goal was to increase the Requests Per Second (RPS) from several dozen to 2000, with room for further growth.
“To achieve this, the microservice was rewritten from Java to Kotlin, and a reactive approach was applied to enable asynchronous requests and increase the load limit,” Konstantin explains.
Additionally, a Redis cache was added to reduce the load on the master system, which struggled under heavy loads due to its relational database structure.
After thorough load testing, the service was deployed under Kubernetes, allowing automatic scaling of instances based on load. Now this service is in the top 10 of the most highly loaded of over 300 services.
“A significant factor for me is the opportunity to create something that has a real impact on the lives of people and businesses. Working in the stock market, I have seen how properly designed systems can significantly improve processes and ensure reliability and security, which is especially important in the financial sector. As I develop software, I continue to contribute to improving technologies that thousands of people use,” says Konstantin.
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Share Knowledge And Collaborate
Konstantin Glumov believes the software development community’s true strength lies in its collective knowledge.
“We all use open-source technologies and must contribute to the industry so that other developers can find effective solutions faster,” he emphasizes.
Mr. Glumov’s commitment to sharing knowledge extends beyond his immediate work environment. He regularly contributes to specialized publications, aiming to explain complex technologies in simple terms and share his experiences.
“I try to talk in simple language about a particular technology or share my experience, which may be useful to other developers,” he says.
In addition to writing, Konstantin participates in podcasts and round tables, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches to common problems. This open dialogue helps surface the best solutions and fosters a collaborative spirit within the developer community.
Konstantin Glumov also plays an active role in the broader tech community. He judges international awards such as the Globee Awards and various hackathons hosted on devpost.com. These events often attract students and schoolchildren from around the world.
“I evaluate projects based on several criteria, often innovation, presentation, quality of technology code, and impact,” he notes. Mr. Glumov helps nurture the next generation of developers by providing feedback and identifying growth areas.
One of his most memorable judging experiences was at the NASA Space Apps Challenge in Mountain View, which focused on space exploration, and DivHacks: Hack to the Future, organized by Columbia University.
These events showcased innovative projects from hundreds of participants, further fueling Konstantin’s passion for fostering collaboration and innovation.
