Baurzhan Bolatov, a 2014 graduate of AUBG, has built a successful career in IT that has taken him from Kazakhstan to Luxembourg and back. With a double major in Computer Science and Business Administration, he says his educational background has been instrumental in his professional achievements.
Career Path After AUBG
After graduating from AUBG, Baurzhan returned to Almaty, Kazakhstan, and began his career at Deloitte as an IT auditor.
“My double major in Computer Science and Business Administration was the perfect background the employer was looking for,” he said.
Over three years, he rose to the position of Senior IT Auditor.
In 2018, seeking to broaden his experience, Baurzhan moved to the Kazakhstani IT firm Prime Source as a business analyst, where he worked on international projects. In 2019, he accepted an offer from Ernst & Young Luxembourg as a Senior IT Auditor. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 prompted him to return to Kazakhstan. He now works as an Enterprise Architect at Bereke Bank, where his team manages the bank’s IT landscape, and the related processes, policies, and standards.
Personal and Professional Growth at AUBG
Reflecting on his time at AUBG, Baurzhan credits the university for much of his personal and professional development.
“My communication and leadership skills vastly improved,” he said.
The frequent presentations required for his studies helped him learn to deliver information clearly and effectively, Baurzhan added. His involvement in creative projects, such as managing the Dance Crew, performing in the musical Moulin Rouge, and participating in theater plays as a lead actor, enriched his university experience and provided him with a versatile skill set.
“All of these skills became necessary in my career and life outside of work,” he said.
University Highlights
When it comes to the most memorable AUBG moments, “the first thing that comes to mind is the AUBG Dance Crew,” he said. He co-founded the dancing club with Antonia Parapanova (‘12) and Daria Kuznetsova (‘14), choreographing hip-hop performances, and stepping in as president during Daria’s exchange semester. “I am extremely happy to see the club prospering 10 years after graduation,” he said.
His participation in the Moulin Rouge musical during his freshman year is another cherished memory. “The final tour is definitely a highlight I will always remember,” he said, referring to the musical’s tradition to tour the major cities in Bulgaria every year.
Additionally, his roles in various theater plays, often portraying dark characters, added depth to his university life beyond academics.
The Role of the AUBG Alumni Network
The AUBG alumni network continues to play a significant role in Baurzhan’s life. “It helped me land an interview at Deloitte as another AUBG graduate referred me,” he said. Despite geographical distances, he maintains strong connections with his university friends and even returned to Bulgaria for a reunion 10 years after graduation.
In Kazakhstan, the close-knit AUBG alumni community frequently gathers. “We have a small alumni community and we regularly meet to hang out,” Baurzhan said.
“So I can surely say that it plays quite a huge role in my life.”
Living and Studying in Blagoevgrad
Baurzhan said he remembers living in Blagoevgrad “as some of the brightest days.”
“The town is very cozy, everything is close-by and the cost of living is affordable,” he added.
“In Blagoevgrad I never had issues with safety and I could walk at night without having to worry about being robbed or getting into a fight.”
Advice to Current AUBG Students
Baurzhan’s message to current AUBG students is simple but profound:
“Walk with your back straight and keep your head up. The rest will follow.”
