WomenInTech. "Growth is always where it's scary," — stories of two girls who are building their careers in IT

Two young women from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan shared their stories about building careers in IT, overcoming challenges, and breaking stereotypes in the technology industry.

Aleksandra Miroshnichenko, city — Almaty, Founder & CEO of the VR rental service DELIVERY, Co-founder of the AI productivity platform TrackSage, Instagram

About Me

I am originally from Karaganda and lived in Kostanay for a long time. Currently, I am developing technology companies in Almaty, founder of the secure VR rental service DELIVERY and co-founder of the AI platform TrackSage, which helps people unlock their potential and increase productivity.

VR DELIVERY grew eightfold in just one year and is already scaling in major cities across Kazakhstan. TrackSage is valued at $3 million and is preparing to enter the MENA market with the support of a team of strategic advisors. For me, these are not just businesses, but new formats of human-technology interaction—from leisure to personal effectiveness management.

I started working at 14 in sales, where I learned the most important skills: communication and persuasion. I received my first serious position at 18, becoming an assistant manager in a pharmaceutical company. Then, I developed my career in FMCG, construction, agribusiness, advertising, and digital.

I was a regional supervisor at Red Bull, managed a region in an IT startup, and led brands in an industrial FMCG company. At the same time, I consulted businesses and launched my own projects. This path gave me fundamental experience—from marketing and sales to IT tools and customer service. All of this helps me build technology startups today.

How I Entered the IT Field

I entered IT through practice. In 2020, I started a small business renting out VR equipment with home delivery. At that time, the market in Kazakhstan was empty, there were no experts, and I had to figure things out on my own—technical aspects, software, integrations.

I became an expert for myself and realized: IT is not a “foreign territory,” but a tool with which you can create new products. Later, my interest in AI grew from a work tool into the foundation of a new business—TrackSage. Today, I combine two directions: LeisureTech and DeepTech.

On Stereotypes 

Technology and VR are often perceived as a “male domain.” Clients were surprised: “How can a girl understand equipment and Meta systems so well?” But this very surprise gave me energy.

Female clients said they felt more comfortable when the service was provided by a woman. I realized that I was breaking stereotypes and setting an example: in IT, there are no gender barriers, only competence and the desire to grow.

Obstacles for Women in IT

The biggest difficulty is not technical, but human. Balancing the roles of mother, leader, and founder is always a test of limits. I have two children, and at the same time, I built a business that competes in the international market. This requires discipline and the ability to stay focused even when resources are scarce.

My recipe is community. I became part of WomenInTech and mentor teenagers in the Technovation program. My mentee, a 13-year-old girl, created the ReFood app for food sharing and reached the semifinals. These stories inspire me and give me a sense that we are moving the ecosystem forward together.

Advice for Those Just Starting Their Journey

Do not wait for ideal conditions. Growth always happens where it is scary. Where it seems like you are at your limit and want to give up. That is exactly the breakthrough point.

Second, find where your work aligns with your inner “fire.” If you do a project only for money, you won’t last long. If you do what you believe in and what ignites you from within, then even failure becomes valuable experience, and success becomes an inevitable result.

Today, I build companies that combine technology and real life. For me, this is not about abstract ideas, but about changing familiar experiences: how we relax, work, and interact with each other. I know that every success is accompanied by doubts and fatigue, but that is what makes the journey valuable.

If, while reading my story, you feel the same, then you are also ready to take your step into the unknown. And that is the first step toward creating a project that can change the rules of the game.

Begaiym Baitykova, city — Mountain View, Software Engineer at Microsoft, LinkedIn

About Me

I am originally from Bishkek, but I have lived in California for over 10 years. Currently, I work as a Software Engineer at Microsoft.

I am an economist by education, so my path into IT cannot be called traditional. In 2014, I started my career as a tester. Gradually, I developed my skills, learned programming, and step by step transitioned into a developer role. This path was gradual, but very rich and interesting.

How I Entered the IT Field

Initially, I did not plan to build a career in IT—I had an economics degree and thought I would work in my field. But living in Silicon Valley, it is impossible not to be inspired by the atmosphere of technology and innovation. My environment strongly influenced my career choice: everyone around me was connected to IT, and I decided to try myself in this field. That is how I started with testing, and then gradually moved into development.

On Stereotypes 

Honestly, I cannot say that I faced difficulties specifically because I am a woman. All the challenges I encountered were related more to mastering new technologies, adaptation, or professional growth, rather than gender.

Obstacles for Women in IT

In my case, the most serious trials began not because of the profession, but after the birth of my child. Maternity leave in the US is only four months—and upon returning, I immediately faced a difficult balance: performing tasks in the team alongside colleagues during the day, and being with the child until morning at night. There were no allowances, and I still go through these difficulties today. It requires immense discipline, energy, and the ability to stay focused. But I view this as experience that makes me stronger and teaches me to cope even with the most difficult circumstances.

Advice for Those Just Starting Their Career Path

I would advise not to be afraid to start, even if you do not have a relevant degree. Learn, try new roles, ask questions, and seek mentors. IT is a field that values not only a diploma, but also curiosity, persistence, and problem-solving skills. 

Also, it is important to remember: life circumstances can be difficult, but they do not make you weaker—on the contrary, they shape your resilience and confidence.