Girls in Technology Day in Ukraine: stories of ELEKS’ IT specialists

Today, October 11th, in Ukraine, it’s Girls in Technology Day. This day helps break down stereotypes, both of others and our own. We’re sharing the stories of three ELEKS’ specialists who are building their careers in the Ukrainian IT industry.

Solomiia Kalinchuk, Competency Manager at ELEKS: 

“Ever since school, I’ve had a passion for puzzles. Mathematics always seemed incredibly clear to me; the main thing is to break it down into small parts correctly. I tried my hand at computer science, not knowing whether I would like it or not at the time. Whenever I was questioned about my choice of a less ‘feminine’ profession, it motivated me to work harder and improve my knowledge. 

I always knew I could do what I set out to do. Gradually, I progressed from a junior role to managing a team of 260 specialists. I found that I excelled not only in coding but also in generating ideas and inspiring others to achieve their goals. I believe success is achievable in any profession. In IT, it’s crucial to remember that continuous development is necessary regardless of age, as the world is constantly evolving. 

STEM education is directly relevant to my work in IT, encompassing mathematics, computer science, English, psychology, and industry-specific knowledge. Any project is an attempt to go behind the scenes of a business and understand how it is conceptually built. You always need to learn the vocabulary used by the client, to follow the best practices. Convincing clients that your idea deserves attention and implementation is always a crucial aspect.” 

Olha Romanova, Senior Project Manager at ELEKS: 

“When I entered the university, the Faculty of Economics was highly competitive with many applicants. So, I opted for Software Engineering. I regretted only the first semester, when I cried because of mathematical analysis, but it passed – both tears and mathematical analysis. 

In my fourth year, Oleksii Skrypnyk, co-founder of the ELEKS Company, taught Project Management. That’s when I realised what opportunities awaited me in IT beyond the classroom. Six months later, I came for an interview for a tester position. Within a few years, I successfully managed my first project—a mobile application for food ordering” (Olha Romanova, Senior Project Manager at ELEKS). 

Every day I work with people – this is my favourite part of the job. Each project has unique people and tasks, achievements and lessons. I remember Volodia, a super-technical blockchain genius, asking me, ‘Did you tell all your previous teams that they were the best too?’ I replied, ‘Yes, because it was and is true. All my teams are the best.'” It’s true.

I like to love people. While it might sound romantic, it’s a crucial aspect of being a manager. Managing involves planning, organizing team efforts, effective communication with colleagues and clients. You need a manager to avoid problems. And if problems do arise, you have to solve them. Cultivating emotional intelligence and soft skills to listen and inspire people is always in trend.”

Yuliia Podliesnova, Lead Experience Designer at ELEKS: 

“I’ve been in design for more than 10 years, and the main task has been the same all these years: to make something powerful, interesting, and significant in a day. Whether it’s research, a productive meeting, or creating a non-standard interface solution, it helps to distinguish the days of the week, at least. 

I enjoy witnessing the process of accelerating and automating work tasks for individuals when we undertake large corporate projects. Businesses approach us with specific requests, and through brainstorming, workshops, and information systematization, we provide unique and sometimes extraordinary solutions that meet both the client’s request and user needs.  ELEKS has a lot of smart people who follow new technologies and implement interesting projects. As both a large IT company and as individual teams, we’ve witnessed substantial growth since the start of the full-scale war. I’ve had the privilege of meeting incredible colleagues outside of our usual work context. I cherish our volunteer chats, where we rapidly raise significant funds for the army’s needs while offering mutual support and assistance.”