How does it feel to be a woman in IT for 15 years?

How did you start your IT career? Why did you choose this profession?

I graduated from the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science. In those times, IT was not as popular as it is now. Only a few of my university colleagues were able to find an IT-related job while being students. There was also a stereotype that women would make better testers rather than programmers, so it was more important for them to learn English. All this ensured me that a math or computer science teacher would be the right career choice for me.

What made you change your mind?

I am more of a technical person than a humanitarian, so the tech direction was interesting for me. Additionally, in IT it was possible to find a job without personal connections or network, relying solely on your qualifications. Back then, it was not possible for every profession in Ukraine.

My university colleague convinced me to apply for an interview. I didn’t really believe in myself, but decided that I would regret it if I didn’t try. I was surprised when I passed two interviews (at Conscensia and another company). I chose Conscensia as they offered an interesting project right away, and it was important for me to start a real job at a real project. Additionally, the company provided the opportunity to learn a new technology and pass certification.

Tell us more about your career path and how it was evolving?

I have worked in IT since 2009 – and have just celebrated my 15-year anniversary with Conscensia. I started my career as a BI developer, specifically as a SAS developer. What I really liked about Conscensia, was that the company was relatively small at that time. There were only 40–50 people and a very friendly atmosphere where everyone knew each other. The company has grown significantly over the years, but the atmosphere has remained the same.

I appreciate the Danish approach to work, which is more horizontal compared to the vertical approach in Ukraine, and the focus on work-life balance. People often ask me if I’ve gotten bored after 15 years. I always answer; definitely not. I’ve had the opportunity to try out many different technologies, overcome many challenges and learn something new every 2–3 years on a project. So, I have worked as a SAS developer, front-end developer, BI developer, and now I am a Team Lead/Scrum Master.

What was the most challenging aspect for you on this journey? And what was the most enjoyable?

The most challenging aspect was probably learning to communicate with clients. I had a lot of insecurities about my English, and it was a personal barrier that I had to overcome. I remember my first business trip to Denmark and how difficult it was due to my knowledge (or rather lack of knowledge) of the English language. Additionally, there was always a difference in culture, and it took time to acknowledge and understand that. I appreciate that the company takes this into consideration and works on it. From a technical standpoint, there were opportunities to learn various technologies, and most importantly, time was provided for that.

The most enjoyable part for me was collaborating with my team. I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing people at Conscensia. I’ve learned a lot from my project manager, and I still use those lessons today. Together, our team has gone through many experiences – successful and not-so-successful deployments, transitions to different technologies, countless business trips that we still talk about. We have so many memories to look back on and laugh about.

What about your project? Did you ever feel the desire to change it? If so, why did you choose to stay?

I think everyone occasionally wants to change their project, especially over the course of 15 years. There is always a desire to learn and try something new. I am no exception. What held me back was the flexibility within the project. I had the opportunity to change technologies and try something new multiple times within my project. Also, I had the chance to take a break from the project during maternity leave. So, even when staying at the same project, it was about constant growth for me and that’s great!

What motivates you to stay at Conscensia?

I believe that Conscensia has many advantages. First and foremost, I appreciate the work-life balance. Personal time is respected, and there is a reasonable workload on a project. We have business trips, various events, and team-building activities. I like that there isn’t too much bureaucracy. Things are not slowed down by it. The company values trust and transparency. It applies to relationships between developers and the company and between developers and clients.

Have you ever encountered biases due to being a woman in a predominantly male career environment? If so, what were they?

No, I find it easy to work in a team where there are many men. And on our project, there is a balance between men and women (sometimes more, sometimes less). The only thing that comes to mind is the stereotype at the beginning of my career. Back then, it was believed that women couldn’t be programmers. I think that stereotype has been dispelled now for good.

What advice would you give to women who want to start a career in IT?

Don’t be afraid to learn and ask for advice. Find a direction that you enjoy. You should feel satisfaction with the work you do. No matter what it is.

Would you like to work in any other field? If you could choose any other career, what would it be?

I believe the answer is no. I feel I’m in the right place.