It’s a Match! Oleksandra and SoundCloud
Finding your first job after university or making a career change comes with waves of different emotions and with many challenges. It is much more challenging than most people might think! Even so-called “entry level” jobs require previous experience, contradictory in terms. This paradox is the challenge and reality faced by ReDI learners.
In an effort to defy this norm, ReDI places a significant emphasis on professional networking as an integral part of its curriculum. One could say, “It takes a village… to find a job in Germany.”
ReDI School of Digital Integration Berlin organized an event with SoundCloud through its partnership with Xena, a recruiting company with the mission to close the gender gap in tech. This event would lead Oleksandra Barchuk, a former ReDI learner, to her current job working as a Junior Data Analyst for SoundCloud.
The company visit organized for the ReDI Women Program learners to SoundCloud was the third of its kind. Alina Floroiu, Program Manager of ReDI’s Digital Women Program, commented that the aim for these events is to open the doors of tech companies in Berlin and help learners connect with talents like themselves who transitioned into tech, as well as to introduce the learners to the tech products and frameworks used in real-life projects by these companies. All this while also giving learners insight into the work environment and corporate culture at ReDI’s partner companies. But in the end, these events are about “people connecting with people.”
Xena’s Partnership and Brand Manager, Ivanna Gomez, commented, “Partnering with ReDI School has provided us with an opportunity to make a tangible and meaningful impact. This collaboration allows us to support their alumni and learners by leveraging our network and resources to foster their growth and success. It is incredibly rewarding to witness the emergence of a new generation in tech, born through ReDI’s courses.
Our shared mission to close the gender gap in technology and ensure equal opportunities for all is at the forefront of this partnership. Together, we are committed to driving positive change and empowering individuals to thrive in the tech world.”
Participating in this event with SoundCloud was pivotal for Oleksandra since she was transitioning from the medical field into tech. She attended ReDI School and completed two courses in the Women Program: Coding Fundamentals and Data Analytics with Python.
She recalls how excited she was and explained how she had been searching for a job and loved SoundCloud.
Since starting her search for a job in tech, Oleksandra faced a lot of rejection or even no response at all, which was frustrating and disheartening at times. These feelings propelled her to gather her courage, reach out of her comfort zone and ask, during the Q&A section of the event, how she could join SoundCloud and what specific skills she should bring.
A week after the event, Oleksandra reached out to the speakers over Linkedin sending a “normal, simple message.” However, due to nervousness she forgot to send her CV! This weighed on her mind, leading her to send another message, this time attaching her CV.
To her surprise, all three of the female-identifying SoundCloud employees presenting at the event replied to her message.
Oleksandra expressed gratitude and had a sense of relief because, “their reply to me was generous and sincere.”
In late February this year, Xena organized the Xena Tech Summit and invited ReDI’s CEO and one of their alumni to speak about the current relevance of ReDI’s mission to bring more diverse talent into tech. The ReDI Women’s Program Team and their alumni were also invited to attend. Oleksandra accepted the invitation and was surprised to see Maria sharing her story on stage, a SoundCloud employee she had met the previous year.
Reconnecting once again, Maria expressed to Oleksandra her desire to help her in her endeavors to get a job at SoundCloud, saying she’d let her know when a position would be available. When the time came and a position opened up,Maria reached out to Oleksandra encouraging her to apply.
One month and three interviews later, Oleksandra received an offer from SoundCloud.
“I was super happy. I was so happy I ran to this photo automat and took photos of myself with the biggest smile on my face.”
After one month at SoundCloud, Oleksandra still can’t believe she is working there. “It feels like a dream.” Oleksandra credits ReDI, “The story of [my] success is all thanks to ReDI because you organized an event with SoundCloud, which is the company I am now working for.”
“ReDI was amazing, and I felt so welcome. I arrived here in Berlin as a refugee from Ukraine, so I had some people I knew, but it was a super small social circle, and I wasn’t in contact with most of those people.”
Even during her most difficult moments, learners and teachers were encouraging and supportive, even if they didn’t know what she was going through. She felt their sincerity and felt very welcomed and supported.
“I felt so welcomed and was in an environment where, for the first time, everyone doesn’t compete with each other, and the women support each other.”
Oleksandra’s story is one of perseverance and courage. It takes these attributes to keep going even after facing rejections and difficulties. It is not easy, but it is a daily choice to move forward each day. It takes courage to have hope and believe things will all work out.
It can be nerve-wrecking and stress-inducing to reach out to others with questions. There are many instances where asking questions is not encouraged in one's culture; but it is worth it and takes courage. Oleksandra tells anyone and everyone: it is worth it to ask the question, even if it makes you feel uncomfortable. It is worth putting yourself out there and actively chasing your goals.