February 11 is International Day of Women and Girls in Science and Technology. Today we want to share real stories of work in IT.
Hanna Kozyrvava is a Database Administrator, and Maria Ivshina is a Systems Analyst. They speak honestly about careers, stereotypes, work-life balance, and hobbies.
How did you get into IT?
Hanna: I enrolled in a radio engineering college, majoring in software engineering. My mother told me that I would like it. She was right.
While I was studying at the radio engineering college many years ago, gender discrimination was rampant. There were offensive jokes about female programmers circulating in the academic community.
Maria: Choosing a career in IT was a coincidence. After university, I didn't want to work in field of my major, as during my years of study I realized I didn’t like the profession I'd chosen.
Many people in my family worked in IT, and that's why I decided to try my hand at being a business analyst. After completing my courses, I was invited to an internship.
What was your first role in technology?
Hanna: My first work was at a factory as a system administrator in an all-male team. I installed operating systems on information kiosks, computers, and machine tools. I did this successfully for a long time, and I enjoyed it.
Maria: I found my first job in a company that developed CRM software. Over time I decided to adjust my focus and become a systems analyst. As a more technical specialist, I felt I had found my niche. I've always enjoyed physics and mathematics, sciences that are logical. Exact sciences have always been part of my nature.
What project are you currently working on?
Hanna: My current role is as a database administrator at a large bank. We're migrating databases from one operating system to another. This is a large-scale project. We need to migrate not just one or two databases, but all the bank's databases from AIX to Linux. This is necessary to ensure the bank's software stays up to date and runs smoothly.
Do you face professional challenges?
Hanna: I face professional challenges every day because the databases are under load and they're mission-critical. We run into problems every day, and we solve them successfully every day.
Do you have a role model in your company who inspires you?
Maria: I really like Anastasia O. We're often assigned to the same projects. She's a business analyst and really helps us get the team working together.
Hanna: I'm very inspired by our HR Generalist Olya Larina. As far as I know, she changed countries about five years ago, and last year she also completed her master's degree in HR management. To me, she is an example of determination and courage.
What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in IT?
Hanna: I want to give universal advice for everyone. No one is born a master. Everything is solvable. Absolutely any question, any problem, any task are solvable. You just need to be persistent and tenacious. In general, it's not the most talented person who always wins, but the most persistent.
So my advice: grit your teeth and bear it.
Maria: Don't be afraid to try new things. IT is a field where you constantly need to learn, because new technologies and methods appear every day. Also, horizontal rotation is common now. You can change positions within the same company. This gives you the room to experiment and find the perfect role for yourself.
Are you able to combine complex intellectual work and hobbies?
Hanna: Work-life balance is very difficult, especially in IT. I'll be honest, it's not always easy to balance work and family. Because if there's a work-related problem, you think about it 24/7. You take a shower or go to the gym with these thoughts in your head.
Maria: Since analytical work is constantly mentally taxing, I always try to unwind after work.
What's your hobby?
Hanna: My current hobby is restoring antique furniture. I look for places to find it for next to nothing and then restore it.
Maria: I have three hobbies. I sing in a vocal studio, go to the pool, and play CS 1.6. It’s my favorite computer game.
Is there a book, podcast, or conference that has significantly influenced your professional perspective?
Maria: My path in analytics began with the book Software Requirements by Karl Wiegers. I've also read and can recommend the Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge
We’re grateful to Hanna and Maria for their honesty and for the work they do every day. We hope their answers inspire someone else. Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science and Technology.
