The UIS Learning Hub continued its support for aspiring tech professionals on October 21, 2025, hosting the latest session in its Computer Science Interview Workshop series. Led by graduate student Max Pilipovic-Kljajic, the session focused on graph and tree traversals: fundamental concepts frequently tested in technical job interviews.
Pilipovic-Kljajic walked participants through the structure of graphs and trees, breaking down components, traversal strategies, and how these data structures are represented in code. Using drawn examples and online resources, he demonstrated traversal methods and introduced weighted graphs before guiding students through two live coding exercises in Python.
“I thought doing a workshop on getting interviews would be beneficial because it’s not talked about a lot in college,” Pilipovic-Kljajic said. “It’s never too late to start. Even if you’re graduating soon, a little preparation goes a long way.”
Originally from Australia, Pilipovic-Kljajic earned his undergraduate degree at Eastern Illinois University, where he also played tennis. He developed an interest in software engineering in high school after experimenting with coding through gaming and YouTube tutorials. Now a teaching assistant and computer science graduate student at UIS, he plans to complete his master’s degree this December.
The workshop series is designed to equip students with the problem-solving and technical skills needed for coding interviews. Information on upcoming sessions is available through the UIS Connections page for the Learning Hub.
