- Iryna Markina participated in the 2023 “Bolstering Livelihoods: Digital Reskilling for Ukrainian Women Evacuees in Poland”.
- Iryna is originally from Ukraine and now works remotely in Poland as head of the sales department for an insurance company.
- She is using her new data analytics and GIS skills and believes that age does not determine whether one can utilize IT or not. Already having professional experience helps her better integrate her new digital skills.
- The Bolstering Livelihoods programme trained over 500 Ukrainian women in Poland with high-demand digital skills in order to boost their employability.
UNITAR
22 November 2024, Hiroshima, Japan – Over 16 years, Iryna Markina built a successful career in sales in Ukraine. Because of the security situation in her hometown, it prompted Iryna to make a difficult decision to move to Turkey and then Poland, leaving some family members behind. Social integration posed another challenge as she navigated unfamiliar cultural norms, a constant worry for her family’s safety, language barriers and an uncertain future.
Gradually, she adapted by connecting with a community with similar experiences and building relationships with locals. She now lives in Warsaw, Poland, where she remotely leads her team as director of sales at an insurance company, driving sales and building strong relationships with her clients.
EXPLORING A NEW FIELD
UNITAR
While she has rich experiences in management and sales, Iryna recognized the growing importance of IT skills. She thus participated in the UNITAR 2023 “Bolstering Livelihoods: Digital Reskilling for Ukrainian Women Evacuees in Poland” programme to build digital skills and stay relevant in an ever-changing world.
Iryna came across the UNITAR Bolstering Livelihoods programme as she was researching opportunities for professional development. The first such training offered by UNITAR Division for Prosperity, the programme offered a focus on building high-demand digital skills to improve the participants’ employability. The course took place from October 2023 to March 2024 with the financial support of the Government and People of Japan, and over 500 Ukrainian women learned about data analytics, web design and cybersecurity.
In the programme, Iryna chose to focus on data analytics and GIS, which was organized in partnership with the Ukraine Catholic University and Japanese start-up company Eukarya respectively. She deemed the topics crucial for the modern business environment. While these topics were completely new to her, she was motivated by the challenge and eager to apply them to her work.
I’ve always believed in challenging myself. Data analytics and GIS were exactly the kind of challenge I needed to push my limits. The idea of mastering these complex subjects was both intimidating and exciting—so naturally, I had to go for it!” —Iryna Markina, manager, sales professional and UNITAR alumna.
Iryna sees data analytics and GIS growing in importance in the future, so learning about them would not only complement her existing skills and experiences but also open new opportunities for further career growth.
Iryna liked the programme’s emphasis on practical skills, focusing on real-world applications and hands-on experience. She also appreciated the unique blend of international perspectives from the diverse programme partners, which included companies, academic institutions and NGOs from Japan, Poland and Ukraine.
“AGE IS NOT A PROBLEM”: BLENDING EXPERIENCE WITH DIGITAL SKILLS
The programme has changed how Iryna approaches her work. Her work style has become more data-driven: she’s applying data analytics to streamline her operations and GIS to analyse market trends. Overall, she says the training not only improved her efficiency but gave her greater confidence in tackling complex problems.
The programme has reshaped how I approach my work. I’ve integrated new tools and techniques into my daily tasks, which has improved my problem-solving abilities. The knowledge I gained has made me more adaptable and better equipped to handle the challenges of today’s business environment.” —Iryna Markina, manager, sales professional and UNITAR alumna.
Gaining digital skills at this point in her career has been “invigorating”. Age is not a problem, Iryna says, noting that despite being less familiar with some technical jargon, her extensive professional experience helps her to integrate new knowledge more strategically and deeply.
In both Poland and Ukraine, Iryna sees room for growth to support senior professionals in gaining digital skills. She suggests that the gap could be bridged by providing flexible learning opportunities, such as mentorship between senior and younger professionals, where they can learn from each other.
THE POWER OF RESILIENCE AND CARE
Despite the challenges they face, Iryna believes that Ukrainian women have the power of resilience. “Everyone [in the programme] was determined to succeed”, she says. The programme participants were quick learners, and even those who had never touched a computer before proved themselves capable of mastering complex software.
Iryna appreciates the network she built during the training programme. She stays in touch with some fellow participants through a messaging group, where they actively share their ideas and job opportunities, offering each other support and encouragement. The cohort of participants built lasting connections, fostering collaboration and community.
Iryna is grateful to the Government and People of Japan and programme partners.
It’s not just about the resources, but the genuine care they showed for our development.
For future programmes, she hopes that personalized mentorship could be incorporated to enhance the experience even further.
ABOUT UNITAR
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a dedicated training arm of the United Nations. In 2023, UNITAR trained over 540,000 learners around the world to support their actions for a better future. UNITAR has a global presence, with offices in Geneva, Hiroshima, New York, and Bonn, as well as networks around the world.
UNITAR Division for Prosperity offers world-class learning and knowledge-sharing services to present and future change-makers from around the world. Through our innovative training and learning opportunities – built on robust adult learning principles – we seek to promote sustainable, inclusive and just economic development and catalyse the creation of decent employment opportunities for all.
UNITAR Division for Prosperity supports youth and women in particular to address growing inequalities. We work in solidarity with diverse partners at the local, regional and global levels to propel the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals and achieve an inclusive, sustainable and prosperous world.