In this series partnered with WaveJobs we invite people at different career stages to share about their experience in Photonics and lessons-learned in professional development. Today we interview early career entrant Uliana Pylypenko, Bachelor student in Physics, University of Warsaw, Poland, and a past vice-chair of the Student Association of Optics and Photonics at the University of Warsaw, which unites members of local chapters of photonics organizations incl. IEEE Photonics Student Branch Chapter.
Patryk: Uliana, it is extremely difficult time for your country, Ukraine. We all hope the conflict will come to an end soon. As a member of Candela Foundation in Poland, we are grateful for your support to Photonic Aid For Ukraine (#PA4UA) project on the WaveJobs platform, also supported by the Polish Technological platform on Photonics. As you are Ukrainian and have lived in Poland for some years, your unique skill set of languages—Ukrainian, Polish and English—as well as knowledge about Photonics is really needed in the project.
Uliana: I am horrified by the conflict and the destruction in Ukraine. Against this background, a job isn’t the worst thing to lose nowadays. Nevertheless, it is still extremely unfair that people, who worked hard for many years to grow as professionals in their fields, don’t have the opportunity to keep doing it anymore.
Patryk: Uliana, it is extremely difficult time for your country, Ukraine, as it defends from the Russian invasion. There are no words to express the feeling of injustice and sorrow that fill our hearts. We all hope this will come to an end soon. You are a member of Candela Foundation in Poland and on its behalf you are contributing to the Photonic Aid For Ukraine (#PA4UA) project on the WaveJobs platform, also supported by the Polish Technological Platform on Photonics. As you are Ukrainian and have lived in Poland for some years, your unique skill set of languages – Ukrainian, Polish and English – as well as knowledge about Photonics is really needed in the project.
Uliana: We are all horrified by the genocide of Ukrainians and the ruthless destruction of Ukrainian cities by Russians, who disregard all the rules of morality. Against this background, a job isn’t the worst thing to lose nowadays. Nevertheless, it is still extremely unfair that people, who worked hard for many years to grow as professionals in their fields, don’t have the opportunity to keep doing it anymore.
As we are part of the photonics community, we help them to find jobs in our industry, so after the war they can use their potential to rebuild Ukraine.
PA4UA is a platform, which links Ukrainian professionals (not only scientists doing research in photonics, but also engineers or programmers) with European firms and institutions that can hire them. Along with this we hold a helpline to give PA4UA users reliable information about their stay in Poland and a Telegram-channel, where we share other opportunities in STEM for Ukrainians. Now we are particularly focused on looking for remote job opportunities, because men can’t leave Ukraine due to the martial law, but some of them still can work.
My tasks in this project include holding a helpline, promotion, translations and creating content for the Telegram-channel. When I was offered to take part in PA4UA I agreed without any doubt, because now Ukrainians must support each other in every possible way.
Patryk: You are a bachelor student in physics and a past vice-chair of the Student Association of Optics and Photonics at the University of Warsaw, which unites members of local IEEE Photonics Student Branch Chapter, OSA/Optica Student Chapter, SPIE Student Chapter, and Optics EPS Young Minds Section for two years. This looks like you blended in the photonics society entirely at this very early stage. What excites you most and keeps you motivated to be so active?
Uliana: When I’m working with the Chapter my inspiration comes from the awareness that together people can do much more than individually, and I like when a team works together toward a big common goal. As students interested in optics we organize meetings with the professionals in our field, optical conferences, take part in the outreach events, where we share our passion with the public and more. Getting involved in the Chapter activities allowed me to gain valuable experience, which I wouldn’t find at the university classes.
Patryk: What is the field of your interest in Photonics?
Uliana: Currently I work in the Quantum Optical Devices (QOD) Lab led by dr Michał Parniak at the University of Warsaw. So far I was dealing mainly with Rydberg atoms and its use in microwave detection.
Patryk: If you continue in photonics, where do you see yourself in, say, the next 5 to 10 years?
Uliana: I would be happy to become a qualified researcher, who works on amazing and promising topics.
Patryk: What are the main obstacles you and your fellow students experience when looking for potential employers and your first jobs?
Uliana: I am lucky to find myself among quite active fellow students. They already have a broad network of contacts, they are good at their field of interest, many of them have numerous extracurricular activities and are eager to learn. Thus, they have qualities many employers would look for. However, maybe, the main issue everybody is worried about is lack of experience. To fight this problem many of us discovered volunteering. Personally, I started in QOD Lab as a volunteer, because I wanted to see what working in a real lab is like. All in all, I think, students who are active will not have significant problems with getting their first job.
Patryk: Uliana, thank you very much for the interview. Especially these days, our community needs pro-socially active people like you who can easily unite members and ignite further development. Thank you for everything that you do for the good of our community and the photonics field.
Uliana Pylypenko, Bachelor student in Physics, University of Warsaw, Poland
