Hi there! Let’s talk about RollerAds – we’re proud to showcase our cutting-edge technologies, impressive stats, and big dreams for the future. But at the heart of it all are the incredible people working for RollerAds, who make wonders a reality. Our team is full of talented and dedicated professionals who work hard to make us successful.
We’re excited to kick off a series of employee interviews to give our readers a chance to get to know the fantastic people behind our success. These interviews will offer a glimpse into our team members’ experiences at RollerAds, their journey in the industry, and what they love to do in their free time.
To start things off, we’re featuring Kate, our fantastic Project Manager for the development team. In this interview, Kate shares her approach to work, her secrets to success, and what it’s like to be the only lady on a team made of mostly men.
– Hello, can you tell me about your work at RollerAds, and how long have you been here?
– I am a project manager in the development team and have worked for the company almost since its foundation. In April, it will be three years since I worked at RollerAds. The company needed someone to manage the processes, and that’s when I stepped in. My primary responsibility is ensuring that new tasks get to the developers and are successfully completed. I put in sprint and prioritize tasks, work with developers to assess feasibility and deadlines, and ensure all team members work efficiently and happily. I am also interested in the manual testing of new features and am involved in this area.
– You’ve been with the company for quite some time. What do you like the most about working for RollerAds?
– I appreciate the respectful and friendly human attitude at RollerAds, both from the management and within the team. People here are not just positions but valuable individuals. Over the years, I have gained the confidence that if I present a well-grounded idea to my employers, they will give me an opportunity to take responsibility and help me to bring it to life. I would also like to mention the opportunities for professional growth and additional education. Many great specialists here are always willing to share their experiences and recommend courses or valuable materials.
– Speaking of your tasks, you mentioned happiness. What did you mean by that?
– Comfortable work and a positive atmosphere. I really think that it can significantly impact the quality of tasks.
– How do you ensure these goals are met?
– Firstly, developers choose tasks from the backlog based on their professional abilities and interests, without forced assignments. Secondly, I keep the implementation control liberated, without too much pressure and avoid constant reminders and demands. I frequently check in with the team members to see how they’re doing, if everything is okay, and if there are any problems with a specific task.
– Do you have any tips or techniques for team management?
– I’m not sure about the specific techniques, but there are a few rules that I follow. I maintain a team environment where everyone feels equal, with no bosses and subordinates, and everyone’s opinion is valued. It’s also essential to have open and honest communication about everything – if there’s a problem, it should be brought up immediately. Avoiding blame and looking for quick solutions to problems is the key.
“My mission is to create and maintain a positive and supportive work environment where every team member feels heard and valued. I’m here to be an active listener, offer emotional support when needed, and add a constructive perspective to discussions and problem-solving”.
– What attracts you to working with people?
– I enjoy getting to know each developer as a separate individual, finding a way to communicate with each person, and building productive and healthy professional relationships. Being the only woman on the development team doesn’t make me feel any different, and my high level of empathy has been a helpful asset in building work processes.
– How did you get into IT, and what was your career path?
– I originally studied journalism but lost interest in that field after working in it for a while. For a long time, I had been working in retail and marketing and did content creation. Eventually, I became a content specialist at an IT company. At one moment, I ended up temporarily replacing aProject Manager of the development team, who was on vacation, and enjoyed the experience. I was interested in the role, so I pursued it and developed my skills. I also had some experience as a Product Manager but realized that I was more interested in working with people than in building a project from a business and marketing perspective. That’s when RollerAds came into my life.
– You mentioned that you are the only female on your IT team. Despite the increasing number of female developers and project managers, the industry is still predominantly male-dominated. What advice do you have for women interested in getting into IT but are hesitant to do so?–
– My advice would be to take action. If you have an interest in it, give it a try. It may seem complicated or confusing initially, but it will become more accessible and exciting with time and effort. Also, remember that you can always quit if it’s not for you. This applies to all aspects of life, not just work. So go for IT, ladies!
– You’ve talked a lot about your work. Can you tell now about your interests outside of it?
– I enjoy making paper models of castles, cathedrals, and other historical buildings. I’m also a big fan of LEGO and have several Harry Potter sets on my windowsill. Building these models can be a relaxing and enjoyable activity, especially when I feel overwhelmed with work. I also play the glucophone, a meditative instrument that helps me to escape and replenish energy. Additionally, I love reading and have a collection of unique books. I’m also studying Spanish.
Thank you! As a final note, can you share your main goal in the company?
– Yes, I do. I was involved with the company from the very beginning, and I’ve been working on setting up processes for a long time. My current goal is to establish everything, so that it runs smoothly and efficiently without me having to intervene constantly. Although it may not be realistic, but it keeps me motivated, as there will always be new challenges to tackle.
