15.09.2020

Girls in IT: ITELMA breaks stereotypes

Despite the complexity of the work, many representatives of the fair sex work at ITELMA. We talked to one of them - Daria, the head of the applied software development and body electronics calibration group. Daria has been working at the enterprise for 4 years, and during this time she managed to implement several interesting and challenging projects. In today's interview, she told how difficult it is for girls to find work in industry and science, how they live in a company, and how ITELMA breaks stereotypes about girls in IT.

Let's start from the beginning : what is your education?

I graduated from the Moscow TsiolkovskyAviation Technological Institute with a degree in System Analysis and Management. This university no longer exists, it was attached to the Moscow Aviation Institute. What I am doing now, in general, corresponds to my specialty, only there is more programming.

What exactly are your tasks?

When I first joined the company, I was assigned to develop a relatively complex software module in application software. That is, I started as a programmer. Now I am the team leader and at the same time the lead developer of the software project, and I am also involved in many other software projects of our directorate. The main tasks within the framework of his project are the technical management of the project and control of its compliance with both customer requirements and internal development standards. Outside of it - and this is perhaps the main thing - is the development of a common architecture and the unification of solutions, the development of common service functions for all our blocks. Well, work with a group: lead, direct, train. And still - the work of a programmer, because complex software modules are not getting smaller.

And what is your priority project right now?

Now a large project for several blocks for a new KAMAZ cab is being completed. Our next big deal is the LCV of the GAZ Group: there will also be many products of our development, GAZ wants to introduce a lot of new and progressive ones (compared to current GAZelle cars, there should be space!) More projects under the Renault architecture localization program, but I am involved there only as a developer. In general, there are many projects - and all of them are loved ones, relatives.

How many people are in your group? How does it work in a remote team?

There are three people in our group: me, another female senior developer and a newbie guy. Remote work format is super convenient for me! All video communication is built without problems, the atmosphere is comfortable, everything is fine. I know that it can be difficult for some to discipline themselves and tune in to work at home, but I have no problems with that. I hope that after all this quarantine history, this format of work will be more often used in the company.

How easy was it for you to find a job?

ITELMA is my second job. The first was strictly in the specialty and associated with the military commissar. I went there on the recommendation of the head of the graduation project. I just asked: where could I go, and now - I already had a job. Everything was easy with ITELMA too: I posted my resume on a headhunter and just looked through the responses, choosing the most interesting offers. So I didn't bother with the search.

Do you read any specialized literature? And in general, do you feel the need for any additional education?

From the specialized literature, for the most part, I read some ISO standards and international requirements. Now, due to cooperation with foreign automakers, we are mastering many things used in the industry abroad. As needed - directories, well, I turn to Google when I have questions for him. As for studying, the level of workload at work is such that, on the contrary, I should have more rest, and first of all, relax my head, so studying now will be superfluous.

What do friends or new acquaintances say when they find out who you work for?

Yes, nothing special: there are no sexists among my friends, and there are not so few girls in IT for a long time to surprise someone with this. Well, I once surprised a young man when he tried to brag about his salary and he failed - but this is perhaps the only case.

By the way, about the stereotypes on the topic “girls in IT”. Did you run into them?

Yes, practically no. There is nothing like that in my circle of friends. From employers - too: it was extremely easy for me to find a job. With the team in the department - too. Perhaps the most unpleasant thing remained at the university: there were teachers who did not evaluate the knowledge of girls. Everyone knows this classic: “The girls didn’t come here to study, what can they understand in our technical sciences, let’s give them all triples - they definitely copied from the boys.” And I had one teacher who said the same thing, but with the conclusion: “I’ll give them five, they won’t work in their specialty anyway.” And you can’t even complain about it to the dean’s office, because “you have a five, what’s the problem?”. But it was still embarrassing.

I think the older generation is more susceptible to all these stereotypes. But even there, there is a noticeable positive trend! In general, I don’t know where in modern times one can suffer from them. In my opinion, feminism has already won in IT.

So what is life like for a girl in IT?

I will say this: if you like the work, then you live well with it, and if you don’t, then you live badly. And it doesn't really depend on the industry. Do what you like!

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