From Recruiter to Project Manager: How Internal Career Growth Happens at Softjourn

Career growth is often discussed as a destination. In reality, it is usually a series of deliberate steps, new responsibilities, and continuous learning.

Internal mobility is one way Softjourners can advance their careers. They have opportunities to explore new directions, develop skills beyond their original roles, and move into positions that align with their long-term goals. 

In this interview, we speak with Valentyna Krasnoperova, who transitioned from Recruitment to Project Manager. She shares what motivated the change, how her previous experience continues to shape her work today, and what she learned while navigating a career path across multiple disciplines.

Whether you are interested in project management, considering a career change in tech, or looking for practical advice on professional development, her experience offers valuable insights into what growth can look like in practice. Let’s dive in!

You’ve gone from a Recruiter to a Project Manager. What drove you to keep evolving your career?

Deep down, I always knew that project management was the direction I was moving toward. I earned a bachelor’s degree in that field early on, but I saw the role as one that requires a strong sense of responsibility, and I wanted to build the right foundation before stepping into it and better understand how teams work in practice.

One of my first steps was learning the basics of Java to understand developers and the SDLC process better. Later, recruiting gave me broad exposure to different roles and functions across IT, while also teaching me how to communicate, build trust quickly, and navigate people-related challenges. Working with Talent Management expanded that perspective even more, because it gave me visibility into what happens after hiring: how teams are structured, how people grow, and how opportunities develop within the company.

Over time, all of this only strengthened my interest in Project Management. Witnessing the professionalism of our own PMO (Project Management Office) and the way our managers operate up close was genuinely inspiring. That continued to reinforce my conviction. Eventually, I decided to take that next step in my development and continue building my path within the company.

What did your experience in recruitment teach you that still shapes the way you work today?

I'd say that recruitment gave me a lot of exposure to interactions with very different people,  temperaments, professions, and expectations. You quickly learn to understand people, adapt your communication, and find common ground fast. That skill transfers directly into Project Management, where your ability to align stakeholders with very different perspectives can make or break a project.

Beyond communication, it built a genuine curiosity about people, what drives them, how they think, what they need. So I try to carry that into every project. Before jumping into the process, I try to understand who I am working with and what their interests are.

What role did the company play in your transition into Project Management?

I felt a great deal of support from colleagues across both the HR and PM departments, as well as from our L&D Manager. Our Project Managers shared invaluable advice throughout the process, and my Delivery Manager provided consistent guidance that helped me navigate the transition with confidence. 

I also had the incredible opportunity to work as a shadower alongside one of our PMs, which gave me a firsthand look at how projects are managed in practice. My Manager was equally supportive, offering continuous encouragement throughout the whole process.

Beyond the people, the company's culture of openness and knowledge-sharing made the transition feel natural. There were always resources available, whether that was structured learning, one-on-one conversations, or simply colleagues willing to take the time to answer my questions.

What resources or experiences have been most valuable in your learning journey?

One of the first courses I completed was from the Ukrainian School of Project Management, led by Denys Prylutskyi. The key takeaway was that solutions for any problem are either varied or do not exist in their stable form. It is fundamentally about practical thinking - not abandoning methodology, but not being constrained by it either.

That said, methodology matters. With a tip from a colleague, I also started preparing for the CAPM certification. That process drew on a range of resources - books, a Udemy course, selected chapters from the PMBOK, PMI's official materials, and the PMI community, which has a genuinely strong knowledge base. I have always seen this as an ongoing process rather than a destination.

But honestly, some of the most valuable learning has come from outside formal study. Conferences, events, conversations with people in the field, colleagues' support, and the learning culture within the company have played a huge role in my development and made that journey much more efficient.

What is one skill you had to learn from scratch when transitioning into a new role?

If I had to choose one, it would be developing a stronger sense of ownership and a more assertive mindset.

Moving into this role meant becoming more confident in decision-making, learning to anticipate risks, and thinking more proactively. That shift has been one of the most challenging parts of the transition, but also one of the most valuable for my growth.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to grow but does not know where to start?

Stay open, keep learning, use available tools to your advantage, and do not be afraid to ask questions.

It also helps a lot to learn from people whose work you genuinely respect. Strong examples around you can be a real source of motivation. Most importantly, understand what direction feels meaningful for you. Once you do, build a plan, stay consistent, and be ready to adjust it when needed.