The age-old dispute "physics vs lyricism" can be paraphrased about our reality - "IT people vs humanities". However, as in any other field, there are no unnecessary employees in IT. It depends on everyone for the company to work effectively. Engineers, HRs, accountants and marketers are building overall success brick by brick. An IT specialist, regardless of whether he is an IT specialist or not, is an important link in the work process and communication. SoftTeco is an excellent example of such a commonwealth. On the eve of March 8, we talked with 4 SoftTeco employees to find out from them what it is like to work in an IT company, being a humanitarian.
Meet sales and account manager Natalya Atamanyuk, accountant Elena Okrut, office manager Margarita Yurut and IT recruiter Aleksandra Veyevnik.
The most important question: is it easy for a non-techie to get into IT?
Natalya: I have been working in IT for about five years, I am a linguist-teacher by education, I graduated from Moscow State Linguistic University. She studied English and Spanish at the university. Since I studied for free, after graduation I had to work at school for two years, and then I got into my first IT company. It was not very easy, since the only skills were languages and stress resistance, thanks to the work of a teacher. I didn't know anything about IT and sales, so I didn't count on a high salary, I just followed the experience. I had to learn a lot from scratch on my own, starting from the basics of the IT sphere and right up to the sales itself.
Alexandra: I have been in this area for three years, she was initially interested in me, since there are developers in my circle of acquaintances. To start a career in IT recruiting, you do not need any specific skills. But at the same time it is important to be a good psychologist, salesperson and, at least, know English. Before that, I was already engaged in sourcing, I was a little familiar with technologies and with what programmers work with. Then she took specialized courses and quickly joined the work process.
Margarita: This is my first job, I have been here for almost three years, I came by assignment after the Faculty of International Relations of the Belarusian State University. She graduated from the magistracy, I know English and Spanish. Since I have no experience in other fields, I cannot compare. I can only say that over these three years I have grown a lot in terms of professional and personal qualities thanks to the help of employees and management.
Elena: I had a chance to work in commercial and even in government organizations, two years ago I came to IT. For me to get into this area was a matter of chance - HR managers found me themselves, invited me for an interview. I think the main advantage was a correctly written resume, where I described in detail my work experience and skills computer engineering job description.
This is the sweet word for IT: comfortable offices, gyms, snacks and a social package. What are the most valuable "buns" for you?
Alexandra: I would say that in Belarus IT is generally a parallel universe that has little in common with other areas in terms of business processes, interaction with people and building relationships within the team. Of course, the material side of the issue is also very important. But when this is satisfied (and in IT this happens quite quickly), then completely different aspects come to the fore.
Natalya: A big plus is a young team and a linear management structure, you can go directly to the director and voice any of your proposals. Specifically for me, the most valuable thing in my work is the opportunity for constant language practice with people from different countries. During my career, I went on a large number of business trips: Denmark, Finland, UAE, Austria and other countries. That is, in parallel with work, it also turns out to travel, to get to know the world.
Margarita: Flexible schedule, you can always agree with the management, if necessary, come later or leave early. Initially, I had to combine work with study, so a huge plus was that the authorities treat everything with understanding.
Elena: Based on my experience, I can say that IT has more comfortable working conditions, the organization's policy is focused on employees. Equipped workplaces, there are never problems with the office, for example, as happens in government agencies. We also have bonuses for those who get married / get married or for those who have a child.
Returning to the question “IT specialists versus the humanities”, I want to ask - how do you develop relationships with colleagues? Are there any peculiarities in communication with IT specialists?
Margarita: IT specialists are quite calm people, I never had problems with them. Sometimes I feel like a psychologist, because everyone comes with their questions, problems, and since the main goal of my work is to create a comfortable atmosphere in the office, I try to help everyone. In turn, I can say that if I need help with something, the guys also help, sometimes I don't even have to ask.
Natalya: When I first came to the sphere, there were difficulties with this, sometimes I did not understand what they were talking about. Gradually I adapted and realized that in fact there is nothing supernatural in communicating with them. Guys from completely different spheres come here, not only from BSUIR, so even if you are not a techie, they treat this with understanding, explain slang expressions.
Elena: On accounting issues, I usually contact my colleagues via Skype or e-mail, not live - this is the peculiarity of my work here. No need to go to different offices. Misunderstandings can arise only because of the slang of IT specialists, otherwise nothing special.
Alexandra: In IT, everyone knows that the final result depends on joint well-coordinated work, so we have mutual understanding in our team. The management works to ensure that the atmosphere is friendly and productive, and people themselves understand that there is nothing without it. There is no room for prying, rudeness or disrespect for each other. Probably, most of them are closed, but this is due to the mathematical mindset of programmers and the specifics of working with code. At the same time, we also have extroverts who are always happy to talk about any topic and support someone's initiative. I can say for sure that we have never had conflicts.
Is there a particular reaction from people when they find out that you work in IT?
Elena: They say: "Wow, great!" Especially when I talk about our goodies and what kind of social package we have. In general, it seems to me, they are positively treated.
Natalya: It seems to me that in Belarus people are a little biased towards this area, there is a chance that a person will change his attitude towards you. I try not to voice that I work in an IT company, I just say that in the sales department.
Alexandra: Usually I say that this is the sphere of work with personnel, without specifying with which one. I do not want to highlight this area and advertise that I work in IT, as there is a certain hostility towards this area in Belarus due to different salaries and conditions.
Margarita: If people find out that I work in an IT company, they immediately build up an image of a programmer, and then it is very difficult to explain that you are not an IT woman.
What's interesting on weekdays?
Natalya: I would say that all funny cases happen with sales on business trips or when customers come to us. Once we were on a business trip in Finland, came to the office of a customer, a big, serious company, and they told us: "Take off your shoes and walk in." We go in, and there is carpet everywhere and everyone is in socks. In jackets, trousers and socks. The whole meeting sat like that, you feel naked. Or the Japanese once came to Minsk, I meet them and the first question they asked was not "how are you?" But "how tall are you?" (my height is 173 cm and was also in heels).
Alexandra: There are funny situations in interviews. The main part of my job is interacting with people and finding employees. It is not always clear from the resume what kind of person he is and what kind of specialist he is. Sometimes it turns out that the actual state of affairs is very different from the information in the resume, it comes out awkwardly.
Margarita: My work in general is very interesting, I never sit still, because my responsibilities include the implementation of so many diverse tasks. It happens that you have to do several things at once: you can take out vacations, and someone urgently needed a visa, and several deliveries immediately arrive, which you need to meet. Another interesting fact is that I know all employees by sight and by name, I even remember most of the birthdays.
Elena: We have one developer in our office. After dinner, he often treats everyone with different sweets and congratulates on professional holidays on his own behalf, gives chocolates. It is very nice.
Since our article will be released on the eve of March 8, I want to talk separately about girls, IT women or not, it doesn't matter. I know that SoftTeco does not divide employees by gender. But all the same, there is clearly something special in the girls. And we are now talking not so much about business as about human qualities.
Natalya: We have a slightly different mindset and outlook on things. There were cases when customers themselves asked to add girls to the team. In general, our company is very smart, educated girls, very positive. It is clear that everyone has work, their own projects, perhaps problems, but in the kitchen during lunch you are always distracted from all this. The girls tell interesting stories, joke, you draw this positive from them and, charged with it, go to work further.
Alexandra: The quality and convenience of work is the work of girls. It is rare to find a guy in the position of an office manager who monitors the life of the office so that everything is necessary for employees, everything works. The same is about HR managers, usually a girl who monitors relationships in the team, resolves conflicts, conducts psychological conversations.
Margarita: Employees spend a lot of time in the office. HR-s (and we have girls) try to make this stay the most comfortable, create a cozy atmosphere, recreation areas. We also organize all corporate events and celebrations.
Elena: Girls create an atmosphere. They do things that may not be visible at first glance, but are an important addition. Flowers, decor, kitchen are also fully equipped by girls. I think this makes it more pleasant for everyone to come to work.
There are 70% of the guys in the team. Are there any advantages from this? Maybe cons?
Margarita: It seems to me that girls are more comfortable being in a men's team. If the guys see that they need help, they always help without further ado, you only have time to thank.
Alexandra: Being in a predominantly male team is quite pleasant. We have a respectful attitude towards both men and women. I think, deep down, men are happy with our presence, although they do not show it - they are very secretive.
Elena: Most of the girls are sitting in my office with me, so I probably don't feel this fully. True, guys always congratulate on the holidays, on March 8, for example, always original congratulations, contests and gifts.
Natalia: We have a lot of girls, including in leadership positions. It's not about gender, it's just that everyone treats each other with respect.
Dear and most wonderful girls from SoftTeco Team! Whether you are IT or not, you make a huge contribution to SoftTeco's work. Taking this opportunity, we congratulate you on the upcoming holiday on March 8 and wish you a spring mood and warm sunny days!
No comments:
Post a Comment