Kseniia Tsyganova

General Info

What will be your most valuable contribution to your TechWomen host company?

I'm good at brainstorming, gathering, and cataloging information. I am quick to learn and I hope to bring value to the host company. My experience in both my line of work and social activism as a leader of the community made me flexible, open-minded and one who is not afraid to take charge. That, I believe, is what would bring the most benefit to the host company.

The Top Three Things I Would Like to Learn or Experience During my Mentorship

1. Project/team management
2. Product pitching
3. Software development process/procedures

Mentorship Characteristic

• Attend company-wide meetings and/or team meetings
• Have exposure to the company culture
• Visit an office or attend a site-visit
• Participate in a skills-building course, either provided by my mentor’s company or identify a free resource online
• Focus on leadership skills building

Ideal Company Type

A product company in the educational (e-learning) sector of large size, with a focus on a big and diverse client base. Their culture is more team-based; they value employees who share information openly and who are accepting of people of different backgrounds, identities, values and cultures. Their main goal is a development of a product that provides value to their clients and responds to their needs. A company is innovative.

What are three adjectives that best describe you in the work place?

1. Tenacious
2. Exuberant
3. Open-minded

What impact will your mentorship have on your career and professional path?

Mentorship would allow me to meet many inspiring STEM professionals whose experience would lead me to consider a new approach to specific problems I face as a professional in the area of soft skills. As a community leader, I might gain some advice on management and growth strategies. This knowledge will help me better distribute assignments and responsibilities within the team; making team members personally involved in the creative process. I will also better understand how to start initiatives and projects that engages audiences to address their needs and supports ideas beneficial to the community.

After participating in the TechWomen program, how will you leverage your mentorship experience to make an impact in your home country?

As an engineer myself, I found it sad that so many bright girls may never pursue their desired careers because many live in regions where traditional gender roles are still dominant. I want to reach those girls by organizing events to empower their development, give them perspective, and outline new possibilities. I would start organizing groups of people with initiative whom I would mentor on how to prepare events that cover various subjects: from brainstorming ideas, to requesting funding and finding sponsors, to detailed step-by-step plans on how to expand and hold their own events.

Work History

Years of Full-time Work Experience

2

Primary Professional Focus

• HCI/UX/UI
• Localization
• Software

Education History