Olena Syrotkina

My career journey began in the Marketing & Sales department after graduating from a university in Dnipro, Ukraine with a degree in International Economics. This embarked me on an extensive and enriching journey within a single company, taking me across the globe from Brazil to Singapore. Along the way, I met new people, participated in exhibitions and conferences, and immersed myself in diverse cultures. This phase of my career was rewarding, but as time passed, it became too comfortable. I realized I needed to challenge myself further and develop some hard skills.

At the end of 2018, seeking a new challenge, I found a job in the IT industry and relocated to Kyiv. Initially, the new role was exciting and fulfilling, but after 2-3 years, I found myself growing increasingly bored. By then, I had gained considerable insight into the software industry and decided it was time to push myself once more. I chose to learn a programming language, though I was unsure which one to start with. Eventually, I settled on Java. In hindsight, Java might not have been the easiest choice for a beginner. Understanding concepts such as inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, and abstraction, along with being mindful of garbage collection and resource management, I felt like I had bitten off more than I could chew but looking back this was the feeling of progress and growth. This was the starting point for my transition from pre-sales to software development.

Then, in the aftermath of the Ukrainian war, finding a safe place to live became a new challenge. I traveled from Kyiv to Western Ukraine to Romania, and then lived in Bulgaria, Germany, and France. After much contemplation, I finally decided to settle in Amsterdam because of the unique culture paired with immense opportunities that are available in the capital city. Here, I was fortunate to discover the HackYourFuture bootcamp, a 7-month full-stack development program. This program provided me with an enriching experience, allowing me to gain new practical knowledge and skills that were transformational for my career shift.

Intellectual stimulation is extremely important to me, and I have found that coding is the perfect skill to nurture this quality. Now, in my second week of work at Miyagami, I feel a profound sense of pride and fulfillment. Despite having worked in various companies before, Miyagami is the first where I am doing exactly what I had hoped for all these years of searching and self-discovery and represents validation of the belief I had in myself when I began. It has been a long journey, but it was undoubtedly worth it.

Reflecting on my path, I realize that each step, from my days in Marketing & Sales to the challenging transition into IT and software development, has been a crucial part of my story. Each experience has contributed to my growth, resilience, and determination. Now, as I build my new career and life in Amsterdam, I am excited for what the future holds and grateful for the journey that has led me here.