In the IT world, it’s trendy to talk about quick wins and drastic leaps, but can you imagine an IT specialist who hasn’t changed employers for 11 years?
That’s true. Rokas Jankauskas not only stayed in one company but became its CEO. In a world where IT specialists change jobs faster than smartphones, his career at Present Connection resembles the steady pace of a long-distance runner among a market full of impatient sprinters.
A new project feels like a new job
Statistics show that the average IT employee stays in one position for just 2 to 3 years. Rokas Jankauskas has exceeded this “norm” fourfold, turning it into a competitive advantage that allowed him to grow alongside the organization and accumulate invaluable experience.
“Colleagues who changed jobs every couple of years often asked me if I missed new things,” recalls Rokas, who today leads the same company where he started his career as an ordinary programmer.
“But I never lacked novelty because every new project, every new responsibility felt like a new job,” he shares.
Choosing a strategy of steady ascent
“I believe big goals are achieved by consistent work and daily improvement,” Rokas explains. His path to the top was not a sudden leap but a steady climb, where every step required patience and dedication.
Instead of seeking quick recognition through job changes, he chose a steady career path (junior-mid-senior) within the same organization:
- First 5 years: .NET C# programmer
- Years 5 to 11: Promoted to team leader
- Year 11: Reached CEO position
According to the current head of Present Connection, each new stage brought not only new responsibilities but also new challenges that prevented him from settling into a comfort zone.
“Every career step was not just a promotion but a new phase of learning,” Rokas recalls. “When I became a team leader, I realized programming skills were only a small part of success. I had to learn how to lead people, which is a whole different art.”
One organization — a broad network of connections
One of the most common reasons for changing jobs is the desire to expand one’s social circle and meet different people. However, Rokas’s experience reveals a paradox. Long-term tenure in one company gave him the opportunity to interact with a large and diverse group of people.
“Over 11 years at the company, I worked with many different specialists and witnessed team growth and changes. Sometimes I joke that the experience I’ve gained working with different people is equivalent to those who frequently switch jobs.
Every new colleague brings a different perspective, new ideas, and a different work culture. I believe this constant flow of diverse people kept me from ‘boiling in my own broth’ and forced me to keep growing,” Rokas says.
Speaking about colleagues leaving, he does not fall into pessimism or disappointment: “Both before and now, I hold the belief that change leads to good. Although it’s painful to see colleagues leave the team, I send them off with the thought that this change will eventually benefit everyone.”
This positive attitude has helped him not only maintain a good team atmosphere but also create a broad network of professional connections. Former colleagues often become clients, partners, or ambassadors.
Does staying long really mean stagnation?
One of the biggest fears associated with long-term work in one place is stagnation — the belief that staying too long in one position causes a loss of professional sharpness and openness to innovation.
Rokas sees this issue differently. “I suggest distinguishing between staying in the organization and staying in the same role,” he emphasizes.
“If you do the same job with the same tasks for four years, that’s a problem, no matter if you stay in the same company or move elsewhere.”
Moreover, Rokas highlights that long-term work in the same company earned him significant trust from management, which allowed him to take on more responsibilities and grow even faster than through frequent job changes.
When to know it’s time to move on?
Despite his loyalty and success story, Rokas does not urge everyone to blindly follow his example. He admits that sometimes leaving is the right decision.
“Value alignment is a key criterion,” he says. “When the organization’s direction and your personal goals start moving in different trajectories, it’s a strong signal to consider parting ways.
Also, if after open conversations it becomes clear that there are no growth opportunities in the current company, it also means it’s time for a new chapter.”
However, before making such a decision, he encourages open dialogue. “Often the problem isn’t the company but a lack of communication. Have you really expressed your expectations? Have you given the organization a chance to adapt to your needs?”
Lessons from a novice leader
Having reached the peak of his career, Rokas could feel like he’s finished learning. Yet his leadership approach reveals the same growth philosophy that has accompanied him throughout his career.
“I’m a novice leader, so every day I learn, improve, and strive to become a better leader,” he openly says. “I see leadership as an opportunity to create an environment that encourages continuous learning, nurtures people’s skills, and allows everyone to realize their potential.”
His future vision for Present Connection is also based on a growth philosophy: “My goal is to build a strong, motivated, and results-oriented team where everyone feels valued and has opportunities to develop.”
This ambition shows that even as a leader, Rokas hasn’t lost what made him successful — the desire to learn, grow, and inspire the same growth in others.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow your footsteps?
Rokas’s story is inspiring, but can it be repeated in today’s even faster IT world? His answer is yes, if people see their career as a long-term project rather than a momentary win.
The most important lesson summarizing his entire career philosophy: “Constant investment in yourself — through learning, gaining experience, and acquiring new skills — is the key to long-term growth.
No matter what stage of your career or personal development you are at, the most important thing is to never stop learning and striving to become a better version of yourself every day.”
Rokas’s story reminds us that sometimes the best career strategy is not jumping between opportunities but the ability to find and exploit growth potential where you already are. His experience is proof that a marathon can be more impressive than a sprint, especially when the finish line reads CEO.
