Welcome to a new Spotlight on Essenters! Today we will have a chat with Iryna Teliukh, a Community Manager at Essent.
HI IRYNA CAN YOU TELL OUR READERS A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?
Hi, I'm Iryna, Community Manager at Essent IT. I’m Ukrainian, living in the Netherlands for 6 years. I live in Eindhoven with my husband, son and cat, enjoying every minute of life here (well, for the most part to be fair, as I still miss Ukrainian food and weather).
CAN YOU BRIEFLY SHARE A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN IT?
Let’s dive in! First, I didn't have a tech related background at all.
When I chose my field of study, I was at a crossroads. I was torn between doing what I was good at, like content creation, human relations and public speaking, or doing what I really enjoyed like science, biology and chemistry. But after failing my final chemistry exam, I couldn’t apply to study in medical school anymore, so I’ve chosen something I was good at. And one of the matching humanitarian fields was linquistics.
While studying, I realized career options for linguistics in Ukraine were limited, mostly in education, and I didn’t want to be a teacher as my mom. I took an internship at a Polish university, teaching and tutoring in Ukrainian and English. Though I enjoyed it, I knew I wanted a career that could not only be emotionally fulfilling and allowed me to be independent, move away from my small town, but also financially promising and socially beneficial.
My English skills, which I improved during university, became a key asset. I met my English tutor, who saw potential in me and offered a content creation job for a U.S.-based company. This was a turning point. The job paid much more than my family’s income, allowing me to support them. After finishing my studies, I moved to Kyiv to continue working for the company, being engaged in human right sphere as well, traveling to different countries and facilitating human rights protection in Ukraine and further build my career.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT A MAJOR TURNING POINT IN YOUR CAREER THAT LED YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
A major turning point in my career was moving to the Netherlands.
It felt like starting from scratch because my previous experience didn’t seem relevant in my job search. I worked various jobs, from a clothing store and dishwashing to Cambridge exams invigilator and fundraiser in human rights organizations, just to get by and make connections. Eventually, I met someone who introduced me to Douwe Egberts, where I landed my first corporate job as a portfolio analyst. It was a completely new role for me, and learning from the ground up marked a big turning point.
After two years, I felt ready for a change, but around that time, the war in Ukraine began. I decided to focus on supporting my family and put some of my career growth on hold. Eventually, after a two-year pause, I finally dared to look for opportunities that could match my professional and personal qualities. That’s how I found Essent and fell in love with a job description for Community Manager role.
HOW DID YOU FIRST HEAR ABOUT ESSENT, AND WHAT MADE YOU APPLY?
I first heard about Essent through a LinkedIn vacancy for a Community Manager role. As I read the job description out loud, I immediately thought, "This is perfect for me." It was exactly what I was looking for: a role focused on community engagement, event planning, and one that felt energizing and meaningful.
Even though it seemed like a perfect fit, I was nervous about the possibility of being rejected. I tried to keep my expectations low to avoid disappointment, but I couldn’t help myself.
I even started researching diverse community management webinars and looking at similar roles through LinkedIn to prepare haha!
WHAT EXCITED YOU THE MOST ABOUT JOINING THE COMPANY?
That was the opportunity to shape the role in a way that suited my strengths and work style. Although it was challenging at first, I eventually found a clear direction and vision for the role.
I was also drawn to Essent's philosophy on energy transition and its forward-thinking approach. I wanted to work for a company that genuinely contributes to society— not just for its own interests or publicity, but with a true sense of purpose and tangible results.
COULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES?
As a Community Manager at Essent, my primary responsibility is to shape and facilitate our internal community and build a bridge between the internal and the external IT world, sharing knowledge and working towards our energy transition goals. Our approach is based on the idea that "you can only receive when you give," so we prioritize not just promoting initiatives but actively sharing knowledge and also gaining insights to drive meaningful progress. We achieve this by attending industry events and hosting regular meetups, creating opportunities for ongoing learning and collaboration.
HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS IN YOUR CURRENT POSITION?
Solely by the feedback and connections I form. When I hear comments in the office like, "That was a great article," see visible connections forming between colleagues, or notice an appreciation for professional recognition of our IT specialists it signals that my efforts are making an impact. This kind of feedback not only validates the work I’m doing but also boosts my self-esteem and motivates me to keep driving positive change. I look at how actively people participate in events, meetups, and discussions. The more the internal community is involved, the more successful I consider my efforts.
WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU THINK ARE MOST IMPORTANT FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR ROLE OR TEAM?
The most important qualities for success in my role include stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing a more extroverted approach, even if you’re naturally introverted. It’s essential to adapt your communication style to connect with different personalities. Since I work with many people in IT, who often have more introverted tendencies, we need to engage them in a way that resonates with them, while still bringing an extroverted energy to encourage openness and participation for our company’s goals.
HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE OR THE COMPANY EVOLVING IN THE FUTURE?
I see my role evolving into more of a guiding presence for the community we're building—being the main contact point but in a more hands-off way. I’d love to see the community thriving on its own, with me playing a supportive role, overseeing things from a distance rather than being deeply involved in every aspect. It’s about empowering the community to operate independently while still being there to guide and nurture its growth when needed.
CAN YOU SHARE A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW?
A fun fact about me is that I’m an "accent chameleon."
Whenever I’m chatting with someone, I unconsciously start mimicking their accent—without even realizing it! I swear it’s not on purpose haha :), but it just happens, and it often catches people by surprise.
CAN YOU SHARE A PERSONAL MANTRA OR PHILOSOPHY THAT YOU LIVE BY?
A personal mantra that I often repeat and remind myself of is:
“Treat people how you want to be treated.”
This approach reminds me of the principle “What goes around – comes around”. Ultimately, I find that when I treat others with kindness and consideration, it creates a ripple effect.
WHAT’S THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
The best career advice I've ever received is to focus on the company culture when considering a job. It's not just about revenue or place on a market; it’s really about the people and the environment you’ll be working in. Before applying, take the time to talk to current or former employees and invest in researching the company’s values and practices. Understanding the culture is crucial, as it can significantly impact on your job satisfaction and overall success in the role. A positive culture can make a world of difference in your experience at work, so it's important to ensure that it aligns with your own values and work style.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF JUST STARTING OUT IN YOUR CAREER?
Don’t be afraid of the tech world. It’s not solely about coding or software; there are many opportunities that don’t require technical skills. Also, don’t let feelings of not belonging hold you back. Your value isn’t defined by your education alone but by your aspirations and willingness to engage with others.
Embrace the chance to explore new fields and discover where your expertise can be applied, even if it’s in a different area than you originally imagined. The journey may lead you to unexpected and fulfilling paths.
We would like to thank Iryna for the time she took to speak with us, and the insights she shares. If you have any lingering questions for her, don’t hesitate to drop a comment down below. We will ensure you are promptly connected.