Олег Онопрієнко Історії 8 April 2026, 09:01

“I deliberately took a financial step back.” The story of an HR director who left IT for medicine and beauty

After almost 20 years in HR in IT, where Olena Krapets rose to the level of HR Director, she decided to start all over again. The reason was not a crisis, but a feeling of «ceiling» and loss of drive. Olena deliberately went into a new field, began studying medicine and temporarily lost her income.

We talked to Olena about why this step turned out to be logical and what her IT experience really means in a new profession.

How it all began

Olena’s path in IT began in 2005. At that time, she already clearly understood that she wanted to develop in the field of human resources management, and her dream was to become an HR manager in a leading IT company. It was during the period of receiving her diploma that she managed to get into such a company, which became an important starting point for her career.

The IT sector has always attracted her with its dynamism and openness to change. Olena notes that it was in this industry that the HR function developed much faster than in others: innovative approaches to people management were introduced, corporate culture was actively developed, powerful social packages appeared, as well as opportunities for relocation, training and professional growth.

«IT companies have become pioneers in creating a comfortable environment for employees and developing talents,» said Olena.

While working at Luxoft, Olena went through a professional development process: she gained valuable experience, grew as a specialist, and gradually took on greater responsibility.

«Over time, I felt that my development within this company (Luxoft) was starting to slow down, so I decided to move on. Moving to another company opened up new opportunities, and it was there that I was able to grow to the level of HR Director,» recalls Olena.

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For her, it was an opportunity to constantly learn, influence business development through people, and implement modern HR practices. It was this area that gave her space for fulfillment, professional growth, and inspiration.

Olena is proud of the periods of transformation in IT, when she had to build HR processes from scratch, making this function a true business partner.

«One of these periods is my growth within the company, where I started as an HR specialist and gradually grew to a leadership role. For me, it’s about trust, systematic work on myself, and the ability to take responsibility for larger issues,» the specialist noted.

The «ceiling» moment and a childhood calling

Despite her successes, her inner drive began to fade. Olena admits that she felt professional burnout and reached a certain limit in her industry. Corporate strategies were replaced by an interest in the beauty industry that had been in her since childhood.

The decision to leave IT was not impulsive. Olena said that at the time of switching from IT, she had an economic and psychological education, but she chose medicine. She was inspired by the active development of the industry in the medical direction, where new technologies, safe approaches and an emphasis on preserving natural beauty appear.

«I realized that in Ukraine, high-quality and professional implementation in the beauty industry is closely related to medical education. And then I made a decision for myself… to get the necessary knowledge and base,» she explains her choice in favor of medicine.

The difficult path of transformation

The transition was not easy. Olena had to simultaneously work, do consulting, and study at a medical college. It required iron discipline and a complete «reset» of her thinking.

«It was this period of transition that taught me flexibility, endurance, and further strengthened my confidence in my decision. Now I understand that it was a necessary stage that gave me a very strong base — both professional and personal,» Olena assured.

Studying at a medical college gives her a systematic understanding of anatomy and physiology, while she receives additional education in specialized courses and master classes from practicing experts. She also constantly works with professional literature and modern research to track new trends. Her approach is one of continuous learning, combining academic education, practical experience and modern development tools.

«It is important for me to learn from those who already have real experience and strong expertise in the industry. In general, my approach is continuous learning: a combination of fundamental education, practical experience, and continuous development through modern tools,» Olena assured.

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She especially emphasized customer service, transferring the high standards of the IT industry to her practice: attention to detail, high-quality communication, and customer care. The habit of constant development and rapid learning, formed in IT, helps her not to stand still and now, constantly improving her skills in a new field.

«My experience in IT has given me a very strong foundation for working with people: I understand people’s needs well, I know how to listen, ask the right questions, and build trust… I perceive my experience in IT not as a „preliminary stage,“ but as a strong foundation,» notes Olena.

Financial «investment» and new values

Financially, the transition was a conscious step back. Olena honestly says that she has not yet returned to the level of IT income, perceiving this period as an investment in reputation and new expertise. However, the quality of life for her is now measured not only by numbers.

Now Olena is gradually approaching the level of income that she had in IT, and sees a clear growth dynamics. It is important for her that the very approach to finances has changed: now her income directly depends on her own expertise, quality of service and ability to build relationships with clients. She considers the most valuable thing that this path brings her inner satisfaction and a higher quality of life, so the results are measured for her not only by numbers, but also by a sincere interest in the matter.

«Now I am gradually approaching the level of income that I had in IT, and I see a clear growth dynamic. At the same time, it is important that the very approach to money has changed: now my income directly depends on me — my expertise, quality of work, service, and ability to build relationships with clients. And, perhaps, the most valuable thing is the feeling that I am moving in a direction that is really interesting and close to me,» she shares.

Regarding financial challenges, Olena does not see them as a separate obstacle, but as a long process of constant investment in her own training, courses and materials. At the current stage of her development, she invests more in development than she receives, which requires significant internal support and a clear understanding of the goal. For her, this is a conscious choice in favor of the quality of knowledge, which in the future will allow her to reach the planned level of income.

Comparison of professions and advice for switchers

Although Olena sometimes feels nostalgic for the scale of large teams and the stability of IT processes, she feels that she is finally in her place. Today, she is in the process of becoming and is not afraid of high competition, focusing on her own unique approach.

«Big projects, strong teams, dynamics, exchange of ideas — it was a very valuable experience. It’s also about structure and stability: clear processes, predictability, a certain level of confidence in the future. But I perceive it not as „it was better“, but as an important stage that shaped me as a professional and gave me the basis for where I am now,» said Olena.

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For those who are afraid of losing stability for the sake of change, she advises to act gradually.

«Stability is not only about the company or salary, it is also about internal support and confidence in your skills. And it is very important to honestly answer yourself: what is more important to me — external stability or an internal sense of fulfillment,» explained Olena.

She admits that she had doubts about her choice, especially in the beginning, when significant investments of time and money did not yield immediate results. However, she was always supported by a sense of direction, and over time, these hesitations transformed into points for further growth.

In the long term, she clearly sees herself in this industry, focusing now on completing her medical education and strengthening her practical expertise. In the future, she plans to not only practice, but also develop her own project, personal brand, and share the knowledge she has gained with others.

Olena Klapets’s immediate plans include completing her medical education and creating her own project, where she will be able to combine aesthetics with deep professional expertise.

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