Mariia has been an intern at Zalando since April 15th 2024 after completing the Women in Tech (WIT) coding bootcamp called “Future Women”. This bootcamp was hosted by StartSteps in collaboration with Zalando as part of an ongoing commitment to the inclusion of WIT. Through this Talent Accelerator, Mariia took her first step towards a tech career – she was introduced to Backend Development & Engineering, met her peer group of classmates and mentors, and experienced Zalando’s commitment to professional development for women considering moving into tech roles first-hand.
Thank you for taking the time to talk to us, Mariia. Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your role at Zalando.
After completing the StartSteps bootcamp, I initially joined Zalando in the Applied Science team, which was a very exciting and interesting experience. Here I saw and participated in real working processes of analysing data and preparing data for filtering. I learned some concepts of machine learning and, of course, Python. To gain engineering experience, I switched to a different area on June 24th, and now I continue my internship with the Software Engineering team in Warehouse Outbound Throughput Algorithms.
You joined Zalando as an intern after completing the Future Woman bootcamp by StartSteps. What was it that attracted you to this bootcamp, and what were the most interesting or enjoyable moments for you?
The StartSteps Bootcamp was an interesting journey for all of the participants. It was like a marathon that we ran together with our classmates, mentors, and organisers. Not all of the learning process was easy; it took time, energy, and patience. I was one of those who were completely new to IT, and I fondly remember our practical sessions where we worked together on tasks.
It was both difficult and fun simultaneously. It created bonds between all the women, my classmates. We still keep in touch, organise meetings to share news, discuss working moments, and, of course, talk about open job positions and opportunities for women in tech.
What was the highlight of your experience, and how did the course prepare you for the transition into your new role?
I want to highlight that without challenges and difficulties, there is no growth. To achieve whatever you want, you need to keep going, step by step, in your chosen direction, even if today's step is really small.
The organisers of the course and our mentors supported us to persevere. After taking the course, I realised that IT is not unreachable. With the knowledge of Java that I gained during the course, I quickly mastered Python for data analysis purposes and now I am learning Kotlin.
How did you know that a career transition was the right move for you?
I wasn’t sure, especially at the beginning of the course. After a week, I wanted to quit, but my husband talked me out of it and supported me. When we got our final project, I realised how much I enjoyed working with Java - following my own pace and using my creativity to build a real application. Seeing the final result was really exciting - I created a real application that could actually work, from scratch!
What support did you receive from Zalando and your team when starting in your new role?
People at Zalando are amazing! I felt that way from the very beginning. My first day at Zalando was during my interviews. There were three rounds: a conversation with a recruiter, a technical interview, and finally, a talk with the hiring manager.
At every step, I felt how supportive they were towards me, which really helped during the interview process. After joining Zalando as a team member, my positive opinion was validated even further. My mentors, although very busy, always have time to answer my questions, encourage me, and provide support or advice. I am very fortunate to have the leaders I have, who can always find ways to relieve my stress, help me focus on important things, and offer encouragement that gives me big motivation to keep moving forward. I feel like I'm part of a new family here.
What are your favourite parts of your new role?
The opportunity to work with very talented and smart people, gain experience, work to high-level standards, use modern technology, and have the chance to continuously learn and grow.
I love the collaborative environment at Zalando. Everyone is eager to share knowledge and help each other succeed. You can tell that professional development is a key commitment for Zalando, not only in my area but across the company.
Additionally, I get to work on challenging projects that push me to improve my skills and that is incredibly rewarding. It's exciting to be part of a team at Zalando that's at the forefront of technology and to see the tangible impact of our work.
Have there been any unexpected challenges in your new role so far?
No, actually, not yet. I was prepared for challenges when starting at Zalando, even as an intern. The support from my leader, the team, and the structured onboarding process have helped me navigate any initial hurdles smoothly.
Is there any advice you would give to someone who is contemplating moving into tech?
Absolutely. If, as a woman, you've ever considered moving into tech and have doubts about whether it's achievable, dismiss those thoughts. Everything is possible. The key is to keep going, even when it's tough. Don't be shy to ask questions or seek help, stay curious, collaborate with others, and success will follow.
Mariia's journey from the Future Woman bootcamp to her role at Zalando exemplifies the transformative power of perseverance and support. At Zalando, we are committed to fostering professional development, as highlighted by our Women in tech initiatives, and to creating an environment where women in tech can take on challenges and thrive through support, as stated in our Our Founding Mindset: Live High Challenge, High Support.
Would you like to work in an ever-evolving organisation like Zalando? Consider joining us, we're hiring.
