In our latest interview, we sat down with Valentyna Chycha, Senior Software Test Engineer at Paylocity, who shared an inspiring look into her career journey - from a surprising start in software testing during her studies in Ukraine to a leadership role in a fast-paced U.S. tech environment. Valentyna reflects on the power of resilience, mentorship, and self-advocacy in navigating challenges such as micromanagement and underrepresentation. Her thoughtful insights highlight how continuous learning, clear communication, and inner confidence can shape a successful and fulfilling career in tech.
Becoming a mentor is a great way to give back while also continuing your own growth and learning. However, there are many myths that might cause you to think twice before applying to join a mentoring program as a mentor. From fears that you aren’t experienced enough to concerns that it will take up too much of your time, we’re debunking five of the most common myths about mentoring.
Our career takes a substantial time of our lives, 5 out of 7 days a week, and it’s no wonder every one of us dreams of the perfect and fulfilling job. The hard part is understanding this fulfilling job and how to land it. If you have a similar goal but are unsure how to get there – you need a career coach. I asked two coaches, Barbora Hajná and Dagmar Pechová, what are the clear signs that can signal you that now is the perfect time to get a career coach to help with professional development.
Mentee Petra Sebkova found out about the Mentoring program through attending a Femme Palette event and thought she would give it a try. When she got matched with her mentor Maria Loparcakova, they were able to establish a genuine connection and build a trusting mentoring relationship. Thanks to that, Petra was able to gain a new perspective and grow professionally, but Maria also benefited from the program as a mentor. Come meet this mentor-mentee duo and learn more about their mentoring journey.
Today, our world sees a change in trends, as more and more women take higher management positions and prove they are worth developing professionally, same as their male colleagues. But it’s still not a limit. There’s still a lot to be done to bring femininity to the work environment - both from the individual and company’s sides.
We spoke to three of our Femme Palette mentors working in HR roles — Olga Castillo, Becca Garner, and Nicolas Bowles — about why companies hire people with mentoring experience.
Achieving work-life balance when you’re a parent isn’t an easy feat, we all know that. However, when we look to some working parents for inspiration, we learn that while it’s an ongoing struggle, balance is achievable. We talked to three women from our Femme Palette mentor community to find out how they manage to juggle career and kids, what solutions have worked for them, what has been their biggest challenge, and what they’ve learned from parenthood that has benefited their careers.
The state of our general wellbeing is a reflection of different parts and factors of our life, including mind, body, relationships, career, financial situation etc. In this article I would like to give some practical tips you can apply in order to support your well-being.
Today’s world is oversaturated with the workforce, and it’s hard to be an employee or a job candidate who would differ from people with the same skills. But it’s still possible. One of the development options is to focus on becoming a specialist and move away from being a generalist. Follow these five steps that will help you succeed.
.png)
.png)
