A Fresh Start
After moving to Cyprus, I took a break from work to adapt and enjoy a new chapter in life. Later, I joined the Mayflower as a barista — it was a great way to return to work in a familiar field and comfortable environment.
At the time, I wasn’t thinking about a role in tech. But the people around me — especially friends working in IT and a colleague from the ML team — inspired me to consider new possibilities. That’s when the idea of trying myself in ML started to feel real, and this decision completely changed the direction of my career.
A Spark Turns into a Path
The idea didn’t come from a career plan — it came from real people around me. My friend from the ML department became a huge influence. She later became my mentor, but even before that, she encouraged me to explore this unfamiliar territory.
I was fascinated by the world of machine learning and how fast it was evolving. More than that, I felt I wanted to be part of it — right here, in our own company.
That’s when I shared my interest with a recruiter. She told me about an open role on the ML team and supported me at every stage. I applied, talked through my motivation with her and the project manager, and then moved on to the technical interview and test assignment — both of which I successfully completed.
Of course, the transition took time. I needed to help find and train a replacement for my barista role. I stayed involved in that process too — conducting interviews and onboarding new teammates. It was a team effort from start to finish.
Growth Powered by People
Looking back, it was my own drive that set things in motion. But the people around me made it possible. The recruiter who believed in me, the friend who inspired me, the project manager and future team lead who made the transition smooth and respectful — they all played a role.
I realized I could grow when I joined the ML team. Even without prior experience in the field, I felt that my work mattered and that I could influence internal processes. This gave me motivation to develop my skills and eventually take on more responsibility.
What Built My Confidence
My confidence came from a mix of curiosity, determination, and the support I received. I was genuinely interested in the field and felt ready for a new challenge. Seeing my friend successfully grow in the ML team gave me the push I needed. And once I joined, I quickly saw that I could handle the tasks and contribute meaningfully. My team lead, Artem, also played a key role — he set an inspiring example of real leadership, motivating the team and me personally. That kind of support helped me believe in myself even more.
A Team That Treated Me Like One of Their Own
From the very beginning, I was treated as a full team member — not just someone learning a new role. I was involved in real tasks and felt that my opinion mattered. That approach helped me grow naturally and stay motivated.
Step by step, I started contributing to how our team works and eventually became more involved in team processes and decisions. It wasn’t just a transition — it felt like I was truly becoming part of something meaningful.
The Culture That Made It All Possible
What made this journey truly special were the company’s values: openness to internal growth, trust in people’s potential, and encouragement to take initiative.
These values made me feel empowered and supported, and they helped me grow not only professionally but also as a team contributor and mentor.
