WomenInTech. "Overcoming stereotypes requires self-confidence and continuous self-development," — successful women from Kazakhstan on the challenges in IT

Zhamilia Syzdykova, city — Almaty, Lead Agile Coach, @lifeoffja

About Me

I work as a Lead Agile Coach at QazCode, an IT company of Beeline Kazakhstan. My team and I help product IT teams optimize their development processes to become more efficient and faster, while not compromising on quality.

My career path in IT did not start immediately: I accidentally ended up in HR while still studying at university and worked in recruiting for over six years. I always enjoyed helping business stakeholders and wanted to do more than what was outlined in my job description; I derived great satisfaction from this.

Over time, I learned about the profession of a Scrum Master. At that time, the position was rare in Kazakhstan but was gradually developing, so I decided to undergo training and try myself in this field.

How I Entered the IT Profession

After my training, I was certain: this is what I want to do. The spectrum of skills here is broad; to work effectively, one must constantly learn and improve oneself, study new technologies, and problem-solving methods. After that, I interviewed at Beeline Kazakhstan, and thus began my career in IT.

About Stereotypes

I encountered stereotypes only at the very beginning of my career. I got my first job while I was a student: not everyone took me seriously due to my age. It was only over time that I managed to change these people's opinions through the results of my work.

Currently, I do not encounter any stereotypes at all. I love the atmosphere at QazCode, where everyone has a voice and every opinion matters. A listening leadership is one of the things I love about my company.

Barriers for Women in IT

One of the problems women may face is doubting their abilities in the face of more experienced colleagues, most of whom are men.

Another stereotype is that men in IT are paid more than women. To overcome this, we need to believe more in ourselves and our abilities, try, do, and not downplay our achievements. At Beeline Kazakhstan and QazCode, special attention is paid to gender equality in the workplace. Regardless of age and gender, if you have knowledge and experience and offer effective solutions to tasks, you will be able to successfully develop professionally and receive fair pay for your work.

Recommendations for Those Just Starting Their Journey

— constantly self-develop, attend training sessions, and reinforce them with practice. It is even better if the company provides opportunities for professional learning. At Beeline Kazakhstan and QazCode, we have an academy for enhancing professional skills. The world is changing rapidly, and we must keep up with it.

— ask many questions. Even if a question seems silly, perhaps you are the only one who dared to ask it. In doing so, you might have identified hidden risks or better understood the problem.

— develop systems thinking.

Aruzhan Kaldybek, city — Astana, cybersecurity, IT, Developer, product R&D manager, reverse engineer, cybersecurity researcher, @wqkasper

About Me

I work as a developer and product R&D manager at the startup DODGER, which helps organizations, startups, and private users effectively protect their personal data and systems from cyber threats.

I am also a reverse engineer and cybersecurity researcher at MSSP GLOBAL, a company providing cybersecurity services. I participate in our laboratory, write research papers on various malware, and share my experience at conferences. My story proves that unexpected twists can lead to an exciting and successful career in IT!

I joined the company by chance, starting with a regular internship, and never thought I would work in the field of cybersecurity.

How I Entered the IT Profession

My path in IT began with a passion for computers from childhood. This grew into studying programming in high school and continued with obtaining an education in IT specialties at two universities simultaneously: the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics and the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.

About Stereotypes

I have not encountered stereotypes because I was lucky with my company. However, my friends and acquaintances often face prejudice.

Barriers for Women in IT

Women often face negative attitudes and underestimation of their professional qualities.

Overcoming such barriers requires confidence in one's abilities, continuous self-development, and a supportive work environment. It is also important to participate in professional communities and conferences to share experience and receive support from colleagues.

Recommendations for Those Just Starting Their Journey

— constantly learn and develop

— participate in internships that will help gain practical experience

— create a well-crafted resume, focusing on your pet projects and avoiding unnecessary information and photos

— be active in professional communities and participate in conferences. This will help you develop, establish useful contacts, and understand current trends in the industry.