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The subjugation of IT by girls happened a long time ago. Every year, the number of IT girls grows, and all gender stereotypes are destroyed. Because professionalism has no gender.

If you have the ability to do something multiplied by a great desire, then, of course, you will have progress in any field. We have a bright example of a purposeful, persistent QA tester, mother of three charming children, our colleague Alina Lyakhova.

She shared with us her path to the IT industry, life hacks for preparation, advice and a dose of motivation.

“The progress ends when we think we’ve reached the top.”

My path in IT began as a freelancer. I made sites on WordPress templates, created automatic sales funnels and seo-optimization of sites. I am always learning. In 2016, I took my first basic software testing course online. Then I realized that I had found my profession – the Master of Psychology realized that in fact I am an IT girl.

But I continued freelancing because I was at home with my beloved children. In 2019, I took offline courses at one of the local companies. After completing the course, I was invited to stay and work for the company, and I agreed, but the old freelance clients tried to bring me back for another two years. I did their tasks in the evenings, as well as on Saturdays, but whatever I irreversibly went on the path of QA , so, later, they stopped.

Then I decided to get the ISTQB certificate.

Is it possible to prepare for the exam when I take my daughter to a dance class and am waiting for her in the corridor?

Listening to educational material on headphones on the way to the store?

Find interesting moments in video lectures to choose lectures instead of watching the series? (I liked how the lecturer called us kitty cats).

Doing homework in the park while walking with the kids?

Yes, it is. And it works. Learning is important. Progress ends when we think we’ve reached the top. In fact, there are still a lot of interesting things above the peak that we have created in our heads. So you don’t need to stop, the way ahead can be much more interesting than the way behind.

My support

Professionally, I was supported by my best friend. She was the person who about 8 years ago tried to explain to me who QA is and what exactly this person does. She was my very first mentor.

Julia, if you are reading this, thank you!

Morally, my husband supported me. I can always count on his support (especially if the idea seemed pretty good – become a QA)

My difficulties and fears

I had to deploy the project locally and commit the changes made by the developers myself. Such a task for a beginner. Regarding my fears, which I faced during my professional activity. These were my prejudices, which were formed since childhood (and, at times, reinforced in adult life).

Like:

• “A working mother is a bad mother”
• “Parents should adjust their lives completely to the wishes of the child, not the child to the parents”
• “It’s right when the majority thinks so”

This is not the whole list of prejudices that I had to face and overcome.

With three children and a job I love, I can now confidently say that:

• Children need a happy mother. The quality of time you spend with your child is important, not its quantity.
• The child follows the parents, not the parents follow the child. Dad and mom decide what and how will be better for their kid.
• Nowadays, many things are becoming obsolete and more effective methods are appearing, which many people still do not know about. Therefore, most people do not always know and use them.

Gender stereotypes

What does gender matter? In our company, people are valued, not their gender. When I was invited to work in the company, I openly said that I was pregnant, and I was answered – it is not a problem, come to work with us. I fell in love with that company because of that answer, then I found other reasons why it can be loved. I mean, non-pregnant people also work pretty well here.

When the war began, there was a period when it was necessary to work much more for those who could. I was among those who could work. There were periods when some issues had to be resolved urgently. There was no time to adapt. At first there were point tasks (for example, keeping track of workload in our department), then there was more and more work.

Our department is so well selected in terms of soft skills, thanks to Dima, that each of us does all our best. Everyone is part of a strong team. Hard skills can be acquired and improved by any person, but soft skills cannot. The QA department is headed by Dima Mazepa, I am temporarily performing his duties. We all missed him very much.

“Give more than you want to receive”

I am a Christian, I combine service in the church, time for family and work. As for me, work-life balance is about wanting to give more than wanting to receive.

We live in the land of opportunities. Ukrainians are a freedom-loving people, and everyone has the freedom to make their own choices. The profession brings you pleasure and benefits the company when you love it.

If you love what you do, even if you don’t know how to do it perfectly yet, that’s ok. It doesn’t matter how far you’ve come today, what matters is that you’re moving towards your goal.

#Speroteck Dream Team