Why We Are in IT: Honest Stories from Veramed’s IT Specialists
IT ClusterThe IT industry continues to face stereotypes and queries such as, “Do I possess the necessary skills to work in IT?” or “What educational pathways should I pursue for a career in IT?” Despite these concerns, IT is one of the most promising fields for newcomers, providing a wide range of opportunities in both technical and administrative roles.
A pertinent question remains—where can individuals gain insights into entering the IT field and understanding its dynamics? This year, we decided to allow IT professionals to share their own experiences and perspectives. The story shared by Tetiana Vasina from Veramed serves as an excellent example, illustrating that there are no predefined templates in the IT landscape. This industry offers opportunities to all who are eager to learn, develop their skills, and embrace challenges.
About Veramed
Founded in 2012, Veramed has quickly established itself as a prominent entity in the pharmaceutical industry, effectively combining talent, innovation, and technology to enhance the analysis of clinical trial data and promote patient health on a global scale. In 2020, Veramed expanded its footprint by opening an office in Ukraine, which has evolved into a crucial strategic partner for international clients, despite the challenges presented by recent global events.
The company offers exceptional opportunities for professional development through both formal education and comprehensive internal training programs, including the Graduate Training Program (GTP). This program is designed to help recent university graduates transition into valuable members of the biostatistics team. Spanning approximately 12 weeks, it equips graduates with essential skills and knowledge, preparing them to confidently assume roles as statistical programmers or statisticians.
In collaboration with Tetiana Vasina from Veramed, we delve into the journey of entering the IT sector, highlighting the benefits of this industry and addressing the outdated stereotype that IT is “not for women.
How It All Began
Tetiana’s journey into the field of Information Technology (IT) was unexpected. While she was at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, she had not envisioned a career in this area.
“I chose to major in Mathematics simply because I had a passion for the subject during my school years. However, I lacked a definitive vision for my future career. It was not until my final year that I had the opportunity to participate in a training program offered by an IT company, which focused on clinical data analysis. This experience became the foundation of my professional journey,” Tetiana reflects.
She notes that Mathematics studies often emphasize theoretical principles that can be challenging to relate to practical applications. Initially, it may be difficult to see how this knowledge will translate into the workplace. Nevertheless, Tetiana’s first exposure to IT led her to secure a position as a Statistical Programmer.
“Everything unfolded in an ideal manner. By embracing this new opportunity, I was able to transition directly into an IT role right after graduation. I did not experience a period of uncertainty regarding my career direction; fortunately, my initial position proved to be an excellent match for my skills and aspirations,” she recalls.
Support in IT as a Growth Factor for Beginners
Success in the field of Information Technology often begins with an environment that promotes growth and learning. Whether during training or on the job, newcomers benefit from the presence of experienced colleagues who are willing to assist, educate, and share their knowledge. Initial projects can present challenges, particularly when they involve members from international teams; however, these experiences are instrumental in developing professional skills.
Tetiana reflects on her first significant project, which was notable for its complexity. “It was a large clinical trial, presenting challenges even for seasoned professionals. We had to collaborate with an international team. Even before completing my internship, I was tasked with programming some demanding components. It was both exhilarating and a considerable responsibility for me. I am immensely thankful for the unwavering support and guidance from my colleagues, many of whom were alumni from my own faculty,” she shares.
She underscores the importance of mentorship in professional development. One vital piece of advice for newcomers is to embrace the opportunity to ask for assistance. The success of IT projects depends on effective teamwork, where each member contributes while gaining invaluable experience.
Subsequently, at Veramed, Tetiana transitioned into the roles of lecturer and manager for GTP students. The program offers robust support, including a manager who clarifies internal company processes, a technical mentor who provides advice on technical matters and best programming practices, and a buddy who shares personal insights and offers friendly encouragement.
Furthermore, Tetiana stresses the significance of English proficiency. From her initial projects, effective communication with international partners and clients was essential. “While English might not initially appear to be a key requirement in IT, it is an essential skill. For those aspiring to advance their careers in IT, I strongly recommend starting to enhance your English skills, particularly in conversational contexts, as meetings and calls conducted in English are commonplace in the industry”.
IT Projects and Their Global Mission
Many IT projects encompass much more than just coding. For instance, involvement in clinical trials provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a significant global mission, such as the development of vaccines or innovative cancer treatments.
Tetiana shares her experience at Veramed, where she worked on an oncology-related project. Despite her role being relatively small, she recognized that her contributions played a vital part in the overall results, which served as a strong motivator for her.
She reflects on how her work quickly transformed into a mission, with a shared understanding among her team that they were making a meaningful impact by assisting cancer patients and developing treatments aimed at bringing them closer to remission. She emphasized that this experience provided her work with a profound sense of purpose.
Currently, Tetiana is engaged in research related to COVID-19 vaccines. She notes, “Although the focus in Ukraine has sadly shifted to the war, COVID-19 remains a global concern, along with its ongoing consequences. Therefore, research efforts continue”.
Non-Linear Career Growth in IT
Tetiana is enthusiastic about the non-linear and cross-functional growth opportunities within the IT sector. In addition to her project achievements, she has transitioned into a managerial position, overseeing line managers at Veramed Ukraine’s office. While this role does not emphasize technical skills, it centres on management and knowledge transfer, embodying the unique culture of IT where employees are committed to fostering the development of their colleagues and the organization as a whole.
“My current emphasis is on management—building effective teams, mentoring junior employees, and facilitating their professional growth. As a manager, I strive to identify knowledge gaps early and provide the necessary guidance to support my colleagues’ advancement”.
“IT Is Not for Women” and Tips for Beginners
It is important to address the outdated stereotype that technology roles are not suitable for women. Tetiana highlights that recent statistics and real-world examples indicate a significant increase in the number of women entering the IT field in recent years. They not only fill technical roles but also occupy leadership positions.
She offers practical advice for newcomers based on her personal experiences:
- Have confidence in your abilities. View failures as opportunities for growth. Take the time to analyse areas for improvement and strive for continuous development—learning is fundamental in IT.
- Recognize the value of your accomplishments. Remember that seasoned colleagues, who now complete tasks in a matter of minutes, once faced similar challenges.
- Foster open communication. It is essential for creating a positive work environment and enhancing processes for everyone involved.
- Don’t hesitate to seek assistance. The IT field encourages collaboration with experienced colleagues. While knowledge is important, practical experience is invaluable. Guidance from mentors and senior professionals can help you navigate your early career and avoid common pitfalls.
- Stay receptive to new information. The IT landscape changes swiftly; what was considered a best practice yesterday may become obsolete in just a few months. Continuous growth is crucial in this field, regardless of your level of experience.
Inspiration at Work
Inspiration emerged as a recurring theme during our discussion. Tetiana asserts that the technology sector is intrinsically linked to creativity, encompassing the intrinsic motivation to develop something innovative, engaging, and often extraordinary.
One valuable source of inspiration is constructive feedback. Such feedback reinforces the significance of one’s contributions and serves as recognition of progress by the team.
Tetiana emphasizes that establishing a feedback system is a direct responsibility of management. “Cultural factors, including shyness or introversion, may make it challenging for some individuals to express gratitude for assistance. Nevertheless, witnessing the success of my colleagues after our collaboration is incredibly motivating—it affirms that my efforts have been worthwhile,” she noted.
For Tetiana, people are her primary source of motivation, both professionally and personally. She highlights that Ukrainians are a testament to resilience; despite the ongoing conflict and persistent stress, smiles continue to adorn the streets, cafés remain operational, and new businesses are being founded.
