Women in tech: A Q&A with a quality assurance expert
Back in 2012, Oksana Boreyko started her professional journey with Vention as a QA team leader. Fast-forward to today, and she holds the position of QA director and manages a team of over 100 employees — with no plans to slow down.
We spoke with Oksana about lessons she learned from transitioning to a tech leader and how she passed the test of entering a brand new niche as a woman in tech.
(Missed the previous interviews in our series on women in tech? Catch up on them here.)
You’ve been with Vention for almost 11 years. Tell us more about your initial position and why you decided to join the company.
Before joining Vention, I worked for three other tech companies, and my extensive expertise in the field helped me secure a team lead position.
Accepting the offer wasn’t easy. But it was the right decision as my main goal for changing a company was to become a manager fast.
Is management related to your degree?
During my studies at the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics (BSUIR), I majored in management and organization of production in IT and radioelectronics, which equipped me with a solid technical and management background.
I studied not only programming and technical disciplines, but also HR management, planning and forecasting in economics, and strategic planning, all of which allow me to perform successfully in my current position.
How did you transition from a team lead to a QA director role?
After mastering all major QA niches, I felt ready to take on a leadership role. I became a team leader of a small team in my previous company, but I yearned for greater challenges and responsibilities.
Luckily, I was able to secure a QA manager position for one of Vention's clients, and due to my successes, I was promoted to delivery manager. Shortly after, my former manager went on maternity leave and entrusted a portion of her headcount to me — and that was how I transitioned into a department manager and started to build my team. I must confess, though, that juggling the transition, overseeing up to eight separate projects at once, and figuring out how to grow my team was . . . something else. Twenty-four hours in a day were simply not enough.
Eventually, I realized I needed more time for self-development, so I left the delivery position to focus on scaling my department. Leadership was my true calling, and I’ve never second-guessed my decision.
What’s been your greatest achievement during your time at Vention?
The last three years have been extremely challenging for the industry. First the pandemic, then political unrest in Eastern Europe, now a lowkey recession — still, our global teams showed incredible resilience in scaling Vention's market reach and value proposition, even amidst uncertainty. And I’m beyond proud to have played a part in this success, as my department has always shown sustainable economic KPIs.
And that was possible largely because my core focus has always been on building a team of true trailblazers who drive the company forward. My department includes the company’s first scrum master, business analyst, and Javascript QA automation specialist, all of whom made essential contributions to Vention's business achievements.
Has the tech industry changed for women since you started your career?
The number of female engineers has drastically increased over the last 15 years. Society normalized the idea of women in tech, ultimately challenging the IT industry's age-old image as a male-dominated field.
The number of women in middle-management positions in tech has increased, too. But when it comes to senior and top management positions, it's more common for women to hold leadership positions like head of HR, PR, accounting, or marketing — areas that have traditionally had higher levels of female representation. Women still struggle to break the glass ceiling to get C-level positions, and it may take another generation to see the change.
If not tech, what other career path would you choose?
Music is one of my biggest passions. During my school years, I obtained a piano diploma, and at the moment, I’m taking classes of academic vocals. It’s just a hobby for me, but I’d love to pursue it more seriously in the future.
Once I retire from IT, I plan to become more involved in charity work. My biggest dream is to open a sanctuary for Pomeranians. I firmly believe that all animals should be treated humanely, and I encourage everyone to support nonprofits, shelters, and voluntary organizations that help homeless cats and dogs.
What advice would you give to other women considering a career in IT?
Remember: Working in an industry that doesn't align with your passions and interests isn’t working. Choose a job you love — and you’ll still have to work (duh), but it won’t feel like a burden.
Tech isn’t just about good salaries; it’s also about hard work and dedication. With a deep understanding of what drives you and what you’re best at, you'll be able to learn, grow, and succeed faster and more easily.
