I have quite a lot of experience working in PR in Ukraine. These were small local businesses, as well as state institutions and international corporations. I worked my way up from small roles as a Journalist or Social Media Specialist to the Head of the Communications department. But I understand that my experience was focused on Ukraine, on its local market or the market of Eastern Europe. The UK market is new for me. I understand that there are cultural differences here. We have different experiences and I wanted to know this experience, these differences.

Of course, it was possible to go the academic route, but I believe that people help people and no textbook can explain what a person can explain. A person who has gone through his own path can share her experience and she can help me get my own experience. I now feel a lot of support from my mentor, Sarah. In the fall, I had an online course and Sarah supported me in that and such support is very important when I am at the beginning of my journey, trying to build my career in a new country. 

What have you so far enjoyed about the programme?

I liked the welcome party the most 🙂 Yes, that’s fair. I had the opportunity to talk with both participants and mentors. I learned different stories about the life of a mentee and that’s how I saw the great work and experience of the mentors and of course, the organiser’s energy is a real charge of positivity.

I really like my mentor, Sarah. Unfortunately, we did not see each other in person but we talked online and I heard her mother’s story and I saw how Sarah supports me and this gives me strength to move on. Sarah and I talked about my professional development plan; I built small steps on the way to the goal and when we talked, everything began to seem simpler than it seemed before.

When I applied, I was expecting some life hacks, quick decisions I did not receive. But they do not exist. But I got a picture of how I can reach the goal and I received support for this vision. I believe that this is the most important thing for me now.

There is a joke:  you may not believe in a unicorn, but a unicorn believes in you. So Sarah is my unicorn. Thank you for believing in me.

What challenges have you had to overcome since arriving from Ukraine and how has programmes such as the Women in PR mentoring programme helped

A very good question, I don’t know from which side to approach it.

1. There are obvious difficulties – lack of British education, foreign language.
2. There are prejudices that I have to fight. For example, that Ukrainians are uneducated (neighbour children asked me “Can you read?” – Yes, I have two higher educations and was once a teacher of IT technologies in college). Or that I don’t know English – people are surprised that I know English and ask: “Oh, did you study well at school?” – No, I started taking private English lessons 8 years ago. – “For travel?” – No, I wanted a good job in an international company and I got it. – And here is the surprise.
3. And the third: all the previous refugees were wage earners – people who fled from poverty and Ukrainians lived well. We ran away from shells and bombs and now the availability of electricity for 4 or 6 hours a day has been added here. It is very difficult to change the idea that I should forget my previous work, my achievements, and agree to unqualified work, even knowing the language.

I came to terms with the fact that I left home, my parents, my friends. Thanks to the Internet, I can communicate with them but it is very difficult for me to accept that I will lose my professional identity. If this is taken away from me, what will be left?

I am very glad that this mentoring program exists, which allows me to preserve myself, my values and my dreams. I can keep my identity.

What advice would you give others who are thinking about applying in the future?

I would advise not to look for a “magic solution” and listen to your mentor. Ask questions – and listen to the answers.