A few years ago, the phrase “I’m going into IT” was mainly associated with programming and a drastic career shift. But today, the tech industry is a much broader concept.
Product IT brings together marketers, analysts, designers, and product managers — those who develop and promote ideas, build user experiences, and influence product success.
Transitioning into tech today isn't just about changing jobs. It’s about the courage to reimagine yourself, find new meaning in your work, and contribute to building the future.
We have spoken with three colleagues from Guru Apps' business team who have already made the leap. They shared what had influenced their decision, the challenges they had faced, and gave advice for others thinking about switching to IT.
What was your professional journey before entering IT?
Andrii: Before joining Universe Group, I worked in the Big 4 as an auditor. I performed various audit procedures: depreciation calculations, asset fair value assessments, analytics, and company inventories. I worked on different projects with banks, companies in the metallurgy sector, FMCG, and agricultural producers. The most significant advantage of that job was seeing — through numbers — what a company is made of: whether it’s profitable, what its key revenue sources are, and how the business works overall by talking to top managers.
Valeriia: I’ve spent 5 years at an international FMCG company, progressing from intern to brand manager. Regarding my career aspirations, the brand/marketing manager role was precisely my goal. I was responsible for B2C product strategy in terms of positioning and promotion on the Ukrainian market — in other words, and I shaped consumer awareness and motivation to buy the product. That field gave me a deep understanding of classic yet practical marketing since the daily tasks required using tools like OOH advertising and BTL activities.
Maksym: I’ve worked as a marine electromechanic for one of the largest companies. My duties included maintaining and operating all electrical equipment on the ship — from electric motors and generators to radars and server rooms. What I loved most about the job was the opportunity to see the world, visit many interesting countries and cities, meet amazing people, and work with cutting-edge technology.
What has triggered your career change?
Andrii: I realized I had built a strong financial foundation and wanted to advance. My primary motivation was to create things myself, not just audit what others did. I was seeking new challenges — and that’s when Universe Group recruiters reached out, and I joined the team.
Valeriia: The early months of the full-scale war led me to reevaluate my priorities. Internal changes at my previous job also nudged me toward switching fields. Uncertainty held me back, but that changed when I saw an open IT position. That opportunity became the trigger, and my decision was conscious and timely. I started researching the IT field more deeply and imagining myself in a new role — before that, all I knew was “code” and “development.”
Maksym: I understood that my profession wasn’t something I could or wanted to do for life. It had some significant downsides. After 3–4 years, I realized I wanted a more exciting job. It was a conscious decision — I was already actively exploring career options during my last voyage. That’s when the Ministry of Digital Transformation’s IT Generation program appeared, and thanks to it, I made a successful transition.
How did your previous experience help in your new role?
Andrii: The most valuable asset was my understanding of how companies work from a financial perspective, my ability to dive into details and learn quickly, and my skill in uncovering insights from business processes — all of which came in handy in my new role.
Valeriia: My general understanding of business contexts helped me quickly grasp the company’s processes and goals, since metrics and KPIs are similar. I was already familiar with teamwork and cross-functional collaboration, as my previous role involved complex, multi-stage processes where each team member influenced the outcome. Analytics is the foundation of marketing, so working with data wasn’t surprising.
Maksym: The most valuable skills I brought were fast learning, creative problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking, responsibility, independence, time management, and mentoring others. These skills proved essential when transitioning to a new field and my current work.
What was the most challenging part of switching careers? How did you manage it?
Andrii: I started as a Strategy & Operations Analyst, working on financial analysis, forecasting, and budgeting. A key part of the position was business performance: I had to quickly understand business models, marketing metrics, LTV calculations and forecasts, work with databases, and see how they fit together in one system. It was tough, but that made it an incredibly valuable learning experience.
Valeriia: The most challenging part initially was the considerable amount of new information and the fast pace. The adaptation period was also challenging — results were expected quickly, unlike the longer, more layered previous processes I used to do. It was difficult initially and made me doubt myself, but inner motivation and focus on growth helped me gradually overcome those hurdles.
Maksym: The biggest challenge was stepping out of my comfort zone, leaving a stable, well-paying job, and diving headfirst into a new field. I also had to pass a strict selection process to get into IT Generation. The training itself was fascinating, and I quickly absorbed all the basics. Studying during a full-scale war and in another country was particularly hard, but my desire to change my life gave me the strength to keep going.
How has your professional and personal development changed after the transition? Any advice for those considering a similar move?
Andrii: I’ll say this: “Every finish line is actually a new start.” The key is to stay open to change and new challenges — they unlock new growth opportunities and work in an inspiring environment. If you genuinely make an effort, success will follow.
Valeriia: Looking back, I have no regrets about trying myself in IT. Today, I feel it’s where I should be. I truly enjoy my work, and I’m ready to face challenges — there’s no growth without them. I don’t have unrealistic expectations about rapid promotions, but I do have a clear development path, supported by my manager, and that keeps me moving forward. Furthermore, I believe that all limitations exist only in our heads. You can achieve any goal or completely switch careers with determination and persistence.
Maksym: Right now, I’m working at a company with well-established processes and real opportunities for growth. Every day, I go to work joyfully — I’m surrounded by professionals who, like me, are passionate about what they do. I work on large-scale products that are leaders in their niche. What I’d say to my past self — and anyone hesitating before making a significant life change — is: don’t be afraid! Step out of your comfort zone if something feels right. Anything is possible, but you must be ready to put in a lot of effort, keep developing, and become a T-shaped specialist — someone who’s confident in their field and understands related areas too.
Changes are always a challenge. But because of them we truly meet ourselves, broaden our horizons, and discover new opportunities in places we have never thought to look for. At Universe Group, we value people eager to grow — and they’re always ready to support you on that journey. Even if your experience doesn’t seem “very IT,” don’t be afraid to try. Sometimes, one step toward something new can be the beginning of a powerful transformation.
