How participating in Hack’n’Lead helped Tanya Golubev secure a job in tech after a career break
In this interview, we have the privilege of speaking with Tanya Golubev, an accomplished professional in the tech industry. Tanya’s journey is marked by determination, resilience, and a strong academic background.
Struggling to get back to the job market, Tanya participated in the women++ Hack’n’Lead event, where her team excelled in the Credit Suisse challenge. Tanya’s story is a testament to the importance of perseverance, the pursuit of personal and professional growth, and the power of supportive environments.
Join us as we explore Tanya’s experiences, her thoughts on the tech industry, and the significance of Hack’n’Lead in shaping her career trajectory.
Tell us about your professional background.
I was born and raised in Moscow, Russia, where I pursued a specialist degree in Physics, equivalent to a Master’s degree here. Initially, I began my professional career working for the Academy of Sciences. Later, I relocated to Tel Aviv, Israel, where I earned a PhD in Neurosciences from Tel Aviv University and continued my academic work there before moving to Zurich, Switzerland, five years ago. In Zurich, I decided to explore the corporate world and got specialised in Data Analysis and Machine Learning. It was during this time that I started attending tech events, and one of them happened to be the women++ Hack’n’Lead. In the event, my team and I participated in the Credit Suisse challenge and emerged as winners.
How did you hear about women++?
I learned about women++ through friends and networking and it’s funny that later I found out that one of my friends, Lisa, was helping in the organization.
What was your main goal in participating in Hack’n’Lead?
Having a strong academic background had never posed challenges for me in the past when it came to finding employment. However, after moving to Switzerland and becoming a mother of two young children, with a non-EU education, I faced difficulties when looking for jobs in the corporate world. I aimed to work for a local company but felt the need to justify the gap on my CV due to my decision to focus on creating a family, which was not always well-received by local companies. I encountered comments such as, “You will never be able to work 100% with two kids,” or “Your German language skills are not proficient enough.” Nevertheless, I never gave up. Participating in Hack’n’Lead provided an amazing opportunity to gain local experience and connect with professionals from the corporate world.
How do you perceive the Swiss market back then and now, five years later?
In my experience, larger international companies did not pose a problem when considering me as a candidate. However, my focus was more on starting with a local company. Initially, the cultural differences were challenging for me as I came from Israel, where there is a more family-oriented and flexible work policy. However, I found that companies like Credit Suisse had various family initiatives in which I actively participated. Looking back now, I still perceive some resistance between men and women, particularly in higher positions and for women who chose to create the project of building a family. However, after residing in Switzerland for 5 years and becoming fluent in German, I have noticed that people and recruiters now approach me themselves.
How important was Hack’n’Lead for you?
Getting back to the market, you kind of lose confidence in yourself. Hack’n’Lead provided a wonderful opportunity to regain that confidence in a friendly and supportive environment. It allowed me to assess where I stood, revisit my skills, and gain a better understanding of my strengths while also identifying areas that still required further development. More importantly, this event emphasised that gender or race should not limit anyone’s participation. It’s super popular, in high demand, in the Tech Industry — a huge opportunity! That’s why Hack’n’Lead held such significance for me.
Can you talk about your team and the different roles?
I was eager to contribute in any way possible, as my main goal was active participation! Our team consisted of:
- A highly experienced woman with over 10 years in business, who served as our Project Manager — never underestimates the work of a great Project Manager!
- Another woman who possessed strong development skills, specifically in front-end development. She took on the role of our Front-End Developer;
- Three of us (including myself) had expertise in data analysis and data science. Consequently, I found myself splitting tasks between us 3 to ensure efficient use of our time. Because at one point, we were all working on the same task, which resulted in time loss. I also dedicated myself to developing one of the models. The other women focused more on the statistical aspect, while the third team member worked on developing the supervised model and creating the presentation.
Our team had a harmonious dynamic, with each member’s skills complementing one another. We greatly appreciated the available mentors, as they provided valuable support whenever we faced challenges. Their guidance was essential in keeping us motivated and reducing moments of hesitation.
How does it compare to other hackathons?
This hackathon was completely different from the typical style where participants often experience sleep deprivation, stress, and pressure. It was nothing like that! Instead, it was a well-balanced, fun, and insightful event. My mindset going into it was focused on gaining experience and connecting with the amazing companies and people present. I felt relaxed and happy to participate. While winning the challenge was amazing, that wasn’t my primary focus.
At the event, throughout the day, there were numerous activities available, including yoga sessions and tech talks (although I couldn’t attend all of them — because we were working on the project — it was nice to have the option). Additionally, the availability of healthy and organic food from Tibits was a refreshing change from the usual fast food and energy drinks often found at hackathons.
Did Hack’n’Lead help advance your career? If yes, how?
Yes, absolutely! Hack’n’Lead played a significant role in advancing my professional career. Following the event, my team and I received an invitation from Credit Suisse to visit their company for an excursion. During the visit, we were introduced to various job openings, and since they met us in person, we bypassed the usual CV evaluation process. Interestingly, I also received contact from two companies to which I had previously sent my resume via email but hadn’t heard back from them until then. They were highly impressed with my participation in Hack’n’Lead. Currently, I’m working for a medical start-up that needed someone with an academic background as well as corporate experience, so this is where I’m at now.
Would you like to share a motivational thought for those thinking of transitioning to the tech industry but are still hesitating?
Never think that you are not good enough; just go ahead and try! You will often be surprised by how much less intimidating things are once you start doing them. Developing technical skills is indeed important, but it’s just a process similar to learning a new language, becoming a parent, nurturing relationships, riding a car or a bike. If the tech industry is appealing and interesting to you in any way, then everything is achievable — so go for it!
One last thought or message to share with everyone?
Yes, I would like to share a personal thought with everyone:
Let’s not forget about our roles as human beings and how easy it is to fall into preconceived stereotypes. The human race is fundamentally the same, and those who treat people unfairly should not believe that they are inherently better because of it. No one should assume a superior role based solely on their status or influence. We must support people in need, offering them a comfortable start and unwavering support. This has nothing to do with gender, race, or religion; it’s simply human nature!
Hack’n’Lead is coming back for its 3rd edition on November 11th and 12th 2023, on-site, in Zurich. Make sure to register your interest to participate and be informed beforehand when applications open. Register here: https://bit.ly/Register-interest-hacknlead23
About the author:
Maria João Silveira is a Social Media Coordinator Volunteer at women++. She has over a decade of experience in customer service and management and has demonstrated exceptional abilities in leading and coaching teams, solving complex problems, and maintaining high standards of customer satisfaction. When not working, Maria loves spending time with her dog, exploring new destinations and cultures, writing, nurturing her green thumb by taking care of her plants, and meditating.
