Women in tech: an interview with Elif Samedin

Elif, a DevOps Consultant at Netfinity Grup, has become a seasoned expert in implementing, administering, and optimising IT infrastructure. Beyond her professional achievements, she co-organises events like the Bucharest HUG and KCD Romania, demonstrating her commitment to community impact. Her work and efforts continue to pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse industry.

Erika: What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?

Elif: I'd say that my main influences were my parents, especially my father, an extraordinary engineer. He was mainly involved in various, heavy-duty workloads which wouldn't have been so suitable for someone with less physical strength. So I chose something more suitable for myself, and that’s how I ended up studying engineering.

Erika: Given that engineering is quite a broad term, how did you end up doing DevOps engineering?

Elif: After graduation, I started an internship at Endava. I started learning about object-oriented programming, and I did actually write some Java code – which was funny because it’s not something that I really enjoy. At some point I was in a contest, or some sort of a hackathon, where I was given some Linux tasks. It was messy because I was mainly clueless, I had very little knowledge in this area. However, after a day where I drank huge amounts of coffee and barely ate, I thought there was something more to it. So I started studying by myself, experimenting, trying various online courses, tutorials, and building my own playing grounds.

And afterwards, I took up the courage to do an official switch in the company and actually work as a DevOps engineer. I was so fortunate to have experienced seniors in my team. It was a great environment where I really got the opportunity to develop my skills.

Erika: I've met quite a few DevOps engineers in the past years who’ve told me that DevOps incorporates multiple different roles, because it can mean quite a lot of things. Could tell me a bit about the challenges you’ve faced in your career and the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

Elif: Well, indeed, DevOps is quite broad. It's broad, especially due to the fact that the stack or the tools are continuously evolving. And I think, hopefully, my peers wouldn't be upset if I say that I think DevOps is one of the most, let's say, wide and dynamic areas in IT. There’s quite a variety, and you might be familiar with a lot of buzzwords circulating social media and so on. However, I think one of the greatest challenges would be choosing the right tool for the right job.

According to Elif, a crucial aspect lies in accurately assessing project needs, client requirements, and team capabilities. While it may be tempting to adopt trendy technologies like Kubernetes, it's essential to consider whether the team possesses the necessary expertise. The excitement of exploring new tools should be balanced with the project's practical needs and constraints. Adaptability is key, and decisions must continually be evaluated to ensure alignment with evolving project dynamics.

Erika: You became a freelancer a while ago, how was the process of switching from traditional employment to freelancing? Did you face any challenges?

Elif: Being solely a technical expert, I'd say it's not easy, but it has a limited scope. Switching from traditional employment to being a freelancer involves way more. It involves interacting with clients, having business knowledge – understanding and learning the business, understanding the needs of the clients, understanding their pain points, and maybe even educating the client.

Elif told me that, in many instances, the individuals freelancers engage with might lack specific technical expertise which makes it challenging to effectively translate complex technical concepts to them. It’s essential to simplify this complexity for the client, enabling them to make informed decisions and comprehend any associated risks. Additionally, managing time, overseeing the company, and possessing accounting knowledge are also essential aspects of being a freelancer. Depending on the type of B2B collaboration, of course.

Elif: Also, you are your own business card. There’s no longer a certain company vouching for me, vouching for my skills, vouching for what I'm actually able to do. So, becoming your own business card is quite a challenge because you need to hold yourself to a certain quality.

Erika: You've also done a bit of work as a speaker and organiser for events such as the Bucharest HUG and KCD Romania. How was this for you?

Elif: Terrifying. I'd say that I'm always nervous before giving a speech. For the past two years or ever since COVID, I think it was a bit easier because everyone was in the comfort of their home, in the comfort zone. It's easier to speak in front of the camera. However, last year I had an in-person event, I think the largest I’ve actually attended, in Paris, and I was so so nervous. It was unimaginable. But, I loved it.

For Elif, there are dual motivations at play as a speaker. Firstly, there's her desire to contribute to the community, offering insights and knowledge to benefit others. Secondly, it serves as personal motivation to explore new ideas, technologies, and solutions. In Elif’s opinion, organising events provides a platform to inspire others to share their experiences and insights. Ultimately, the goal is to foster a culture of collaboration and learning, not just locally but on a global scale, showcasing the talent and innovation coming out of Romania's IT sector.

Erika: You’re working in a predominantly male-dominated field. And I'm curious, how has it been to navigate this dynamic over your career?

Elif: When I started my journey, I asked myself the same, maybe not using the exact words. If I were to think more on it about the significant progress that has actually taken place over the past decades with regard to female representation in, let's say, male-dominant STEM fields, science, technology, engineering and maths, I think that in recent years there’s been a notable and very encouraging rise in women pursuing careers in this direction. And this trend is truly a celebration.

For myself, I strive to work for a world where competence and common sense are king and queen, regardless of being a man or a woman. So I would say it's more about education, attitude and approaches.

Erika: Do you have any tips, tricks or suggestions for young girls that are interested in pursuing a career in DevOps?

Elif: Never give up and always do your best.

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