"I remember applying for a manager or HR position, but getting rejected every time due to lack of experience." The story of a career switcher who swapped jobs overseas and in the US for a career in the tech sector in Ukraine

American Dream

While still a student, I went to the US through the Work&Travel program. I was one of the few who was able to get to America twice through this program: the first time I was in Florida, where I worked in a store, and the second time in Texas, as a waitress in a cafe.

It was a great experience that greatly improved my English, gave me the opportunity to travel and study American culture. By the way, the mentality of the people there impressed me. Americans are very friendly. Everywhere — in cafes, at the cinema, in stores, they always greet you with a smile and do it really sincerely. They understand that friendliness is not an «option», but the basis of their work, quality of service, professional culture. That was when I first realized how simple, yet humane, service can be. And I dreamed that this approach would gradually become familiar to us.

Great swimming

I remember America for another important experience — working on a cruise ship. At that time, I was 21.

I have always loved traveling, so this job was an opportunity for me to combine travel and professional development. A cruise ship seemed like the perfect option for this, because on the one hand it is an interesting trip, and on the other hand it is an experience in the field of international service. And at that time I was attracted by the opportunity to develop in this field, and abroad.

The liner became an interesting school: every day I worked with business people, artists, politicians, and artists.

But the reality was different. In my opinion, the restaurant business in Ukraine at that time was different from the approaches I had seen in America. And I also felt that I could realize my potential in another profession. With these thoughts, I decided to return home.

By the way, what stopped me from living in America was the fact that I wouldn’t have friends, family, or loved ones around me — and that’s important to me. Therefore, I reconsidered my desires and priorities and returned to Ukraine to look for a job back home.

Hike to IT

Before I got into IT, I worked as a sales representative in various companies. However, all this time I was thinking about changing the field, often reviewing current vacancies in IT. I remember applying for a manager or HR position, but each time I was rejected due to lack of experience.

So I actively considered this area as one where I could really stay for a long time and develop. Although I didn’t have high expectations, I just trusted fate, so to speak.

And in the end, she smiled at me. First, on the recommendation of a friend, I got a job as a project support manager in a company. There I gained a little new experience, learned management skills from colleagues and additionally watched video tutorials, learned from my own mistakes, etc. With the start of a full-scale war, I lost this job and the search resumed.

War and Offer

I applied to many companies and received several offers. But it was at Master of Code Global that I was truly touched by the people. Even during the interview, I felt such a great atmosphere that I realized that I wanted to be part of this team. There was a lot of positivity, openness in communication, and I immediately saw the level of management that I myself aspire to.

Currently, I work as a Project Coordinator and am responsible for all processes, timing on projects — everything in order to create a quality product together with the team. Thanks to this work, I learned to analyze, draw conclusions during work, and build plans based on the experience already gained. And the most interesting thing is that I now use these skills in life, for example, when planning trips or daily tasks. Everything has become a little more structured, but in a good way.

But still, I like organizing, controlling, and adjusting processes in a team more.

Tips from an experienced firefighter

I advise you to listen to your own desires and not be afraid to try — review vacancies, compare the requirements with your skills, and apply even if you are not 100% sure. At least for me, this path turned out to be the right one — I tried again and again, did not give up after rejections, and, in the end, I got the dream offer.

Additionally, it’s about the ability to adapt and learn quickly, as there’s a lot of new stuff coming out, and the field is constantly evolving. If a person has the ability to change and adapt, then it makes sense to go into this field. And you can prepare and choose a direction for yourself on various platforms. In our company, such an educational platform is Masters Academy, where you can watch a webinar for free or for a free donation or take a course in various areas of IT. If you need career advice to figure out your own desires for development in IT, come to a mentoring session — this is a collaboration between Projector Mentorship Platform and Masters Academy. Just choose a mentor who can help with your request and talk to him.

In my opinion, only true desire and perseverance will help you achieve success in the IT field.

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