“The books give you the theory, but in real life, things work differently.”
Can you introduce yourself? Tell us your name, where you’re from, and a bit about your background.
My name is Tamara, and I’m from Ukraine. I studied International Economic Relations in Kiev, and for the last three years, I’ve worked in IT companies in Ukraine, creating mobile applications for the American and global markets.
Given your Master’s in International Economic Relations, how do you see ABC fitting into your career goals?
My master’s degree gave me an understanding of global markets and cultural differences, but through working in startups and real businesses, I realized that theory and practice are not the same. The books give you the theory, but in real life, things work differently. Here, I’ve gained this reality—I hear great cases that worked out for Silicon Valley startups, and I’m learning from that. It’s been very useful for both my personal and professional life.
You have a lot of experience in ideation, planning, strategy, and product development. How has ABC helped you refine or grow these skills?
What we get here is practical knowledge. We practice a lot—working in groups and putting our ideas into life. I believe that while working on startup ideas, it’s very important not to just rely on theory or even what ChatGPT might suggest, but to think about how it can really work with real customers. And that’s exactly what we are doing here.
Do you think it’s important to have more women in tech and entrepreneurship? Why?
Yes, definitely. As Ana mentioned a few days ago, women are underrepresented in the Silicon Valley community, and in Ukraine, we face the same situation. I believe women and men often approach business and life differently, and it would be better to have more balance between the genders.
Women can bring more empathy and creativity into business processes, and I think that kind of balance makes organizations stronger.
What’s your favorite thing about ABC Silicon Valley?
I really liked the intensity of the program and the people here. There’s a good balance between classes and rest, and also between company visits and theory. It’s well-structured, and I truly appreciate and enjoy being here!
