Theory and practice do not always go hand in hand

Introduce yourself in a few words..

I have over 20 years of management experience in the field of software development, implementation, and management of ERP-class business software. Over all these years, I combine my entrepreneurial career with academic activity and teaching various disciplines at universities. Currently, I am the manager of the consulting company ITC Consult, which implements ERP systems SAP, Odoo and ERP.net, as well as BI solution Power BI. For more than 10 years I have been successfully developing the educational organization ERP Academy. I am also the vice-chairman and a member of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies (BAIT).

How would you describe your career in a few words?

I would describe my career as dynamic, surprising me with each passing year. My professional path in IT started unexpectedly and at a time when women in the industry were a rarity. Alongside my work, I was also in education, where I clearly saw the lack of connection between theory and practice. At that time, the introduction of real practice in universities was just beginning, and this directed me to work in this area to support more practical training for students. Now changes in the business environment, education, and the world as a whole are even more dynamic.

What was the most important choice that shaped your path Inyour?

The most important choice in my career was joining a software company that develops its own ERP system. This is the most challenging part of IT, and it is precisely there that a large part of my professional path has passed so far.

What would you like to know at the beginning of your career, but no one told you?

At the beginning of my career, I had no clear idea of what I was getting into, nor that this is the most challenging sector in IT. The lack of information about the nature and scale of this work makes it difficult to choose the right direction. That is why later I created the master's program, which for more than 10 years has been introducing students to ERP-class systems, meeting them with practitioners and giving them the opportunity to touch real work even during the learning process, so they can then make an informed choice for their development in the industry.

How can a person understand which profession is suitable for them?

When a person is very young, the best way to understand which profession is suitable for them is to experiment. It is precisely through the different places they find themselves that they begin to feel what is close to them and what is not. If there is no clearly expressed talent in a given area, this can be a more difficult process, but my observations are that young people most often go down this path – trying various things or orienting themselves by taking examples from their parents.

Which skills according to Inyour will be key in the next 10 years?

In the next 10 years, key skills will include critical and analytical thinking, which allow us to navigate the vast flow of information. No less important are skills for concentration, the ability to absorb and correctly apply technologies, as well as persistence in acquiring new knowledge and skills. Flexibility and empathy will also remain among the leading qualities for successful professional realization.

How to build a network of useful contacts without appearing interested?

The most natural way to build a network of useful contacts is to attend different types of events and communicate with more people, but without applying aggressive sales practices or techniques. It is important for a person to be sincere and show curiosity about the activities of the other party, seeking common interests and values.

What is the biggest mistake you have made in your career, and what did you learn from it?

At the beginning of my career, I tried to apply everything I read in the big books directly in practice. This led to the creation of complex processes that often turned out to be difficult to implement. I realized that although it is important to read and learn a lot, theory and practice do not always go hand in hand.

How to recognize a toxic work environment and when is it time to leave?

The first signs of a toxic work environment often come from the behavior of the manager or owner. When people in the company do not feel well, this is felt and is a signal that it is time to leave. The environment is important because a person spends a large part of their time at work and needs to feel calm in order to create and add value to the company.

What would you do differently if you could start over?

I would not change anything because this path has developed and shaped me professionally. Every challenge and every difficulty have given me experience that helps me make more informed decisions today and understand better the environment in which I work.

How to maintain our motivation in times of stagnation?

-       There can be many different reasons, not related to work at all. To assess whether we have a personal or work problem, which is actually hard. Self-analysis, to see what the root is, because a person often projects onto external factors, while the factor is within them.

How to achieve a balance between professional and personal life?

The balance between professional and personal life is very individual and relative. Personally, I try to lighten my commitments when I feel overwhelmed, so that my personal life does not suffer. In addition, I turn to activities that take me away from work – dancing, concerts, cultural events – something different that allows me to recharge and maintain my energy.

When is it time to change our career, not just the job?

In my opinion, it is time to change careers when we realize that we cannot be useful where we are or when we discover another talent or interest that we want to develop and realize more fully.

If you had to give just one piece of advice to people seeking success, what would it be?

The most important thing is to dedicate themselves to work that motivates them and brings them satisfaction, rather than just following others' expectations or trends.

What is Inyour definition of a “successful career”?

A successful career is one that brings you personal satisfaction and a sense that you are achieving meaningful results.