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Evgeniya Sukhanova says her journey to cloud IT is “one of the most interesting and fascinating things that’s happened.”
The training coordinator for Google Cloud Platform (GCP) projects at CloudWerx doesn’t have a computer science degree or any technical background. In fact, not long ago she was working as a flight attendant and a floral and aquarium designer. Now, she’s helping a fast-growing enterprise cloud consulting firm deliver cutting-edge innovations to the marketplace.
Sukhanova has long been looking for adventure. She first studied chemistry and found a position in Coca-Cola’s quality department. While that might seem like a fulfilling job, she found long days alone in the lab boring. “I wanted a more creative profession and something less technical,” she explains.
“I saw that this area is not just for experts from traditional IT but also for anyone with a background in marketing, sales, and entry-level computer skills.”
Evgeniya Sukhanova
That led Sukhanova to try life as a flight attendant. The Saint Petersburg, Russia, native enjoyed traveling the world, practicing English, and learning from different cultures.
After Sukhanova’s second child was born, she started searching for a new career that would allow her to work from home while still interacting on a global scale. That led her to learn about cloud computing from online presentations about GCP and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
She noticed a fit almost immediately. “I saw that this area is not just for experts from traditional IT but also for anyone with a background in marketing, sales, and entry-level computer skills,” Sukhanova says.
It was an exciting transition. Sukhanova noticed how she could apply her skills and talents in a fast-paced and dynamic industry that fit her family’s needs. In doing so, she became motivated to advance her skills by studying to receive professional certifications in AWS, GCP, and other technical areas.
Now, Sukhanova is using her newly acquired skills as a training coordinator for GCP projects at CloudWerx. The company says it has chosen Google for the customization and flexibility it brings to secure cloud infrastructures. CloudWerx is a premium partner in GCP’s advantage program. The status is held by just 68 global partners (the program has 4,500 total members). In her role, Sukhanova assists clients in learning how to use Google Cloud, and she is also moving deeper into project management.
“It’s not as difficult as it might seem. Don’t be afraid that you won’t succeed.”
Evgeniya Sukhanova
As Sukhanova develops her expertise in cloud computing, she finds it checks all the boxes on her wish list. She works from home with a flexible schedule, interacts with people in different parts of the world, and has an outlet for her creativity. Additionally, she is able to pursue additional certifications and continue advancing in the field.
Pivoting to a new career can be intimidating, especially for women moving into a space traditionally dominated by men. But Sukhanova knows others can find the courage to do what she’s done.
“It’s not as difficult as it might seem,” she says. “Don’t be afraid that you won’t succeed. This area is always moving forward, and there are lots of opportunities for women in tech today.”
