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Meet Inga, a seasoned product owner and product ownership mentor here at Women Go Tech, blending business acumen with technical expertise. With over 15 years in industries like Sales, Telecommunications, Logistics, and Banking, she’s guided teams through a wide range of complex projects.

Her journey began at Kaunas University of Technology, where she developed a deep understanding of systems and processes, which naturally led her to the world of product ownership. Today, as a Senior Business & Systems Analyst at Accenture, Inga excels at bridging business needs with technical solutions. We’re excited to have her share insights about her career, mentorship, and more with you today.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share how your professional journey has evolved from your studies to your current role?

An ambitious, goal-oriented person with 15+ years of versatile experience in Sales, Telecommunications, Logistics, and Banking.

After finishing school, I started my bachelor’s in Computer Science at Kaunas University of Technology. Later, I pursued two master’s degrees—one in Enterprise and Organizational Systems, and another in Human Resources Management. During my studies, I worked in various positions in sales and purchasing, which shaped my understanding of business processes and operations.

You transitioned from a sales and purchase background into tech. What motivated this career change, and how did you navigate the shift?

What motivated me was the desire for more analytical work and a closer connection to systems that support business operations. One of my friends, who was a mentor in the Women Go Tech Acceleration Program, recommended it to me. He warned me about the strict selection process, but I was fortunate to be selected, which provided me with invaluable insights, lectures, workshops, and much more.

Transitioning from sales and purchasing to a Business Analyst (BA) role was fairly smooth since both careers focus on understanding business processes and optimizing operations. Many skills I developed were directly transferable.

• Communication: Essential for gathering requirements and explaining findings.
• Negotiation & Relationship Building: Useful for managing stakeholders and aligning project goals.
• Problem-Solving: A critical skill for identifying inefficiencies and suggesting solutions.
• Analytical Mindset: Crucial in both roles for analyzing data and driving insights.

I also had to upskill in areas like:

• Requirements Gathering: Learning new techniques such as BRDs (Business Requirements Documents) and user stories in Agile.
• Project Management: Gaining basic knowledge in Agile and Scrum.
• Process Modeling: Learning how to map business processes using various tools.

Relevant certifications helped me bridge the gap.

What are your key responsibilities as a Senior Business & Systems Analyst at Accenture, and what challenges do you face?

In my current role, I’m responsible for bridging business needs with technology solutions. A large part of my job is gathering requirements from stakeholders through interviews, workshops, and surveys. I then translate these into technical language for development teams.

Other key tasks include:

• Analyzing business processes: Identifying inefficiencies and designing workflows for optimization.
• Collaborating with solution architects and developers: Ensuring system designs meet scalability, security, and performance needs.
• Testing & Quality Assurance: Creating test cases and working closely with QA teams during user acceptance testing.
• Change Management: Helping organizations with training materials and smooth transitions during system go-lives.

Some challenges include:

• Changing requirements: Stakeholders often change their minds, which can throw off timelines. Defining a clear scope and strong change management is crucial.
• Balancing business and technical needs: I act as a mediator to align business value with technical constraints.
• System integration: Especially with legacy systems, where compatibility can be a challenge.
• Managing stakeholder expectations: Transparency and realistic timelines help maintain trust.

To ensure successful project delivery, I focus on clear communication, iterative development (Agile), early risk identification, and thorough documentation using tools like JIRA and Confluence.

You were a mentee in the Women Go Tech program before becoming a mentor. What were your key takeaways as a mentee, and how did they impact your career?

Being a mentee in Women Go Tech was transformative. The key lessons I learned were:

• Confidence: Having a voice in meetings and promoting your ideas is crucial, especially in tech.
• Networking: Building genuine connections is invaluable for learning and sharing knowledge.
• Continuous Learning: The program encouraged me to keep expanding my skill set, which I now prioritize in my career.

These lessons accelerated my growth, and now, as a mentor, I pass them on to others.

What inspired you to become a mentor, and how do you guide others?

I was inspired by the impact my own mentor had on my career. The guidance and encouragement I received boosted my confidence, and I wanted to offer the same support to others.

As a mentor, I help mentees find their confidence, step out of their comfort zones, and embrace challenges. I also emphasize the importance of networking and personal development alongside technical skills. My goal is to help mentees realize their potential and shape their careers with purpose.

What skills are essential for someone transitioning into tech, and how do you support mentees in developing them?

Key skills for transitioning into tech from a non-tech background include:

• Adaptability: The tech world evolves rapidly, so the ability to learn new tools and frameworks is crucial.
• Problem-solving: Breaking down problems and finding solutions is a transferable skill from many non-tech roles.
• Curiosity: A strong drive to understand how things work helps build expertise.

I create personalized learning plans for my mentees, offer relevant resources, and focus on building their confidence by highlighting how their previous experiences can be leveraged in tech.

How do you stay updated with tech trends, and how do you incorporate this knowledge into mentoring?

I make it a daily habit to stay updated by following industry blogs, podcasts, webinars, and books. I bring this knowledge into my mentoring by offering relevant, real-world examples and helping mentees see how these trends can impact their work and the industry as a whole.

Can you share a book, podcast, or resource that has positively impacted your growth?

Recently, I read Atomic Habits by James Clear, which had a significant impact on both my personal and professional life. The principles of building small, consistent habits resonated with me, especially in the fast-paced tech world. I’ve applied this mindset to my work and mentoring, encouraging my mentees to build small habits for long-term success.

Find more mentor stories here.