TechHope Transitions Monthly Newsletter: Issue 1
- Ganna Makarkina
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 19
Welcome to the TechHope Transitions April Newsletter! This month, we highlight the inspiring journey of Polina Reminna, a standout participant in our first intensive two-week school, hosted by the IT Department of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv.
We are also excited to share the success of our second two-week school hosted in partnership with the Faculty of Economics at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. We are especially grateful for the thoughtful review shared by Denys Slukin, whose feedback reflects the impact of our program and the passion of participants who continue to drive our mission forward.
Polina’s Journey with Tech Hope Transition
My journey with Tech Hope Transition (THT) began when I enrolled in a two-week Summer School hosted by the National University of Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, where I was pursuing my master’s degree.
The first week of the program provided an in-depth exploration of the software development lifecycle, offering a robust theoretical foundation and a comprehensive understanding of IT processes. In the second week, we applied this knowledge to a real-world business case, which illuminated the pivotal role of business analysts in bridging technical teams and business objectives.
A highlight of the Summer School was the opportunity to engage with the THT team—a group of seasoned professionals excelling in various areas of the IT industry. Their expertise, dedication, and willingness to share practical insights left a lasting impression on me and deepened my aspiration to pursue a career in business analysis.
Upon completing the program, I was honored to be invited to intern at Tech Hope Transition, an opportunity that transformed my academic interests into a tangible career path.
From the outset, the THT team fostered an environment of trust, encouragement, and professional growth. I was entrusted with participating in client meetings as a business analyst-in-training, gaining invaluable real-world experience that bridged the gap between academic theory and industry practice.
A special acknowledgment goes to Shane, Chair of Operations at THT, whose mentorship was instrumental in my development. His guidance, constructive feedback, and unwavering support empowered me to embrace new challenges with confidence. Shane's personal investment in nurturing young professionals like me exemplifies THT's broader commitment to cultivating future industry leaders.
Inspired by the support I received, I later had the privilege of mentoring students in a similar THT Summer School program at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, helping others embark on their professional journeys just as THT had helped launch mine.
Today, I am proud to be working as a Business Analyst at ArboStar, a dynamic company where I continue to apply, expand, and refine the skills that THT helped me develop. Without the foundation built through Tech Hope Transition's investment in my potential, my journey would have been significantly more challenging—and certainly less inspiring.
At Tech Hope Transition, it's not just about training individuals; it's about creating confident, future-ready professionals who drive innovation, lead with purpose, and shape the future of our industries.
Polina Reminna
Winter School 2025: Igniting the Future of Ukraine’s Tech Talent
We are proud to share that the TechHope Transitions Winter School 2025, held in collaboration with the Faculty of Economics at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, was a resounding success. Over two weeks, participants engaged in a rigorous program that combined expert mentorship, hands-on technical training, and collaborative project work, all designed to prepare students for real-world challenges in the IT sector.
The training covered key areas including project management, business analysis, IT solution development, as well as the enhancement of communication skills, critical thinking, and adaptability. Participants gained access to the expertise of professionals with international experience and became part of a community committed to advancing Ukraine through digital transformation.
A standout moment from the program came through a heartfelt review by Denys Slukin, whose reflections captured the spirit and intent of our initiative:
“I heard about TechHope Transitions’ Winter School program from my peers at university, which offered 2 weeks of high-load, value-packed lectures by experts in Project management, Business Analysis, and product development. As high as my hopes were for those lessons, they all came true – Winter School was a Blast with a capital B! Some parts were already known to me, while others were spoken about and clarified as much as needed for us to understand precisely how things are in theory and how they are applied in practice. The material was easy to understand, greatly thanks to the great lecturers, including guests and coaches. Almost forgot to mention that though all lectures were spoken English, it was a pleasant task to adapt ourselves, with a lack of language practice, unless real-life work entails it. And it was all only in the first week!
The second one was the true gem of the program – the practical application of acquired knowledge. During the second week there was simulated a situation as close to real as possible was simulated about meeting with the client and getting to know him and his project idea, with further developing it into a real project. We had done almost everything by ourselves, with a bit of guidance from other experts and coaches, and by the end of the week, if anyone looked at the work we had done, it would be nearly impossible to believe we knew nothing of process 2 weeks prior! It served not only as a surprise, but also gave a real experience on how things are done and what can be expected at different stages of the product lifecycle.
Overall, the experiences and memories we gained during Winter School are to be treasured, the bonds we formed not to be forgotten, and the knowledge is to be applied. I am very proud that I was a part of this program and would definitely recommend it for anyone else!”
Denys Slukin, Participant of the THT Winter School 2025
Denys’ testimonial reaffirms the critical importance of building practical, mission-aligned learning environments - ones that not only deliver market-relevant skills, but also restore hope and direction for professionals navigating the challenges of displacement, war, and career disruption.
As we continue to scale our efforts, the success of Winter School 2025 stands as a clear milestone in our commitment to rebuilding Ukraine’s tech capacity from the ground up, one talent story at a time.