ZIRA Talent Academy

Unlock your future in tech

Internship program designed with students in mind.

What is ZTA?

ZIRA Talent Academy is a structured internship program designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real industry experience. Within the Academy, candidates can choose between two specialized tracks: one focused on software development and the other on quality assurance.

Commitment to education

Facts and figures

Commitment to education

ZTA DEV track

Duration

9-week online program


Technologies

CSS, Java, Angular, Maven, Spring, ActiveMQ, and more

Commitment to education

ZTA QA track

Duration

5-week online program


Technologies

SQL, API testing, defect tracking, SDLC, test management, and more

Mentorship

Daily meetings with mentors

Flexibility

No set hours, tasks can be completed at any time during the day

Certification

Upon completion of the program

Experience

Simulated real project environment for practical learning

Top-performing graduates move into full-time roles.

30% of our new hires come from ZTA DEV and ZTA QA.

What our graduates say

Elma Čomor-Đonko

ZTA gave me a real, hands-on experience. Working on actual projects made my first professional role feel much more natural and less intimidating. What I appreciated most was the environment. I met supportive, driven people and learned from mentors who genuinely wanted us to grow. My advice to anyone thinking of joining ZTA is simple: be proactive, ask questions, and make the most of every opportunity. Not everyone will receive a job offer at the end, but everyone will walk away with great knowledge and experience. If you focus on learning and growth, ZTA will absolutely be worth it.

Elma Čomor-Đonko

ZTA DEV 2025

Ahmed Elshiekh

Joining ZTA was one of the best decisions I've made in my software development career so far. Even though it only lasted two months, it gave me a great introduction to the IT world and taught me things that genuinely stuck. Real challenges constantly tested my knowledge, and working in a team environment taught me how to collaborate effectively under pressure. The practices and habits I picked up during that time are still part of how I work today.

Ahmed Elshiekh

ZTA DEV 2025

Nejla Belagoši

During my QA internship at ZIRA Talent Academy, I had the opportunity to work in a simulated real-world environment that allowed me to apply the knowledge I gained at university and during my QA training to practical tasks and projects. The program was exceptionally well organized and the mentors provided continuous support and valuable guidance throughout the process. What makes this experience even more meaningful is that I was offered a job opportunity after completing the internship, which further motivated me and confirmed that I was on the right career path.

Nejla Belagoši

ZTA QA 2025

Hazim Delić

ZTA QA was my first step into software testing and the right place to start my QA career. The program is well-structured and makes the fundamentals of manual testing clear and easy to understand. The most valuable part is the practical phase, where we worked on real projects alongside developers, gaining hands-on experience in a real company environment. ZTA QA provides a strong foundation for a future career in QA, and I would highly recommend it to anyone considering this path.

Hazim Delić

ZTA QA 2025

Meet the mentor

Lamija Drkić
ZTA DEV

Lamija Drkić joined ZIRA in 2022 as a Software Developer after successfully completing the ZIRA Talent Academy. Today, she works as a Software Engineer 2 and continues to grow through real project experience. She holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Informatics.

As someone who once stood exactly where new ZTA participants stand now, Lamija understands the learning curve, the pressure, and the potential. Her mentorship is practical, structured, and grounded in experience, focused on helping young engineers build confidence and think clearly from the start.

When she steps away from the screen, long walks and drives help her reset and return with fresh focus.

Lamija Drkić

Software Engineer and ZTA DEV mentor

Lamija Drkić
ZTA DEV

Mahir Prcanović joined ZIRA in 2023 and represents a true success story of the ZIRA Talent Academy. Starting as a ZTA graduate himself, Mahir has come full circle and now serves as a dedicated mentor to new generations. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Software Engineering, he effectively bridges the gap between academic theory and practical enterprise development.

Having recently walked the same path as his students, Mahir offers a relatable and supportive mentorship style, understanding exactly what challenges they face. When he isn't coding or studying, Mahir enjoys gaming occasionally, but his true passion lies in following sports, particularly football and Formula 1.

Mahir Prcanović

Software Engineer and ZTA DEV mentor

Lamija Drkić
ZTA QA

Ilmedina Salčin joined ZIRA in 2019 as a QA engineer, bringing with her extensive professional experience. She graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Sarajevo and, prior to joining ZIRA, worked in several companies in QA and Team Lead roles, where she built strong expertise in quality assurance and team leadership.

Today, Ilmedina serves as a QA Solution Architect at ZIRA, contributing through her knowledge and strategic approach to the continuous improvement of QA processes. Her greatest impact is reflected in her mentorship within the QA ZIRA Talent Academy program and in her successful leadership of teams. Through her work, Ilmedina consistently supports the growth of young QA engineers and helps raise quality standards across the organization.

Ilmedina Salčin

QA Solution Architect and ZTA QA mentor

Application process

Eligibility

Graduate students with a background in IT or related fields, preferably final-year students of electrical engineering or computer science. No previous work experience is required.

Application time

ZTA DEV and ZTA QA occur three to four times a year. Once we’re ready to start a new cycle, we’ll announce it on our social media channels, with approximately 10 working days left for applications.

Selection process

We will go through all the applications thoroughly, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

The online application form will be available here.

Apply

FAQ

Basic programming knowledge and familiarity with web technologies.

No, both programs are free for all selected participants.

Both ZTA DEV and ZTA QA run three to four times a year.

Yes —all participants who complete one of the ZTA tracks receive a certificate.

The program is currently tailored for graduate students only.

AI Telco Platform ZIRA ZIRA

Are you an IT graduate looking to launch your career in the tech industry?

Look no further!

Find out more