Building a career step by step – the story of Agnieszka from Unit4

“There were several options at the time, in very different industries; one of them was becoming a flight attendant. Then a friend who worked at Unit4 mentioned they were recruiting testers and thought I’d be a good fit because of my natural inquisitiveness, attention to detail and determination. I didn’t know anything about IT, so I asked him to help prepare me, both for the IT environment and the interview. He helped me tremendously, and I’ll always be grateful to him,” she recalls.

Agnieszka started as a manual software tester, testing the TETA system  – ERP solution designed to manage HR, payroll, and financial processes for enterprises. Over time, she joined the Platform team, where she supported developers, customer service, and led training sessions. Today, she contributes as an Engineering Manager.

How does it feel to reflect on those early beginnings? “At Unit4, I never felt that I was treated differently because of my gender. Every career stage brought new challenges, and some were tough for me. My team was patient, supportive, and always treated me as an equal. Without their patience in answering my countless questions, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she says.

Growth through challenges

Agnieszka’s career has been a constant process of change and growth. Working in technical teams, taking on new responsibilities, earning promotions and being supported by her team helped her overcome self-doubt and boost her confidence.

“I still fight my inner impostor today. The one area I feel truly confident in is the social community, organizing corporate volunteering and campaigns like ‘Become Santa Claus.’ It may sound unrelated, but it’s not,” she explains.

She gives a concrete example: “Last year, I organized a renovation project at a children’s home involving 25 of our employees. You get to work with and manage people at all levels, from newcomers to directors with 25 years of experience. These projects teach you that we’re all just people and that teamwork, organization, and communication matter most. I carry those lessons into my everyday work.”

The first engineering manager in TETA

The biggest challenge came when she became an Engineering Manager – the first ever in TETA’s structure. That transition was somewhat accidental as well.

She was returning from a two-year maternity leave. The world had changed, and so had work – especially after the pandemic. TETA was introducing a new organizational model based on the company’s headquarters: several teams were grouped into domains led by an Engineering Manager (EM). The issue? No one at TETA yet knew exactly what that role entailed.

“I had a mentor from headquarters and kept asking him everything I could, how working there looked like, what my responsibilities were going to be. At the same time, I had daily meetings with my manager, who explained people management to me. I, in return, shared what I had learned about the new role. Step by step, that’s how the EM role was introduced into TETA,” she recalls. 

How did you feel back then? “Fear, mostly. My longtime colleagues suddenly became my direct reports. That made things both easier and harder. Easier because I knew them well. Harder because they tested me – and I’m grateful they did. It sped up my learning curve.”

The reward of working with people

For Agnieszka, motivation has always come from relationships – people, customer satisfaction, and making a positive impact on the team.

“As a tester, I always worried that a client might be dissatisfied because a feature I tested didn’t work properly. As an analyst, I realized I didn’t like the paperwork, but in meetings where I could help others, I felt completely in my element. Training sessions, especially with clients asking for help solving their internal issues, gave me great satisfaction. That satisfaction was my biggest motivation,” she explains.

“When I got the chance to work directly with people as an EM, I was thrilled. I can contribute to employees’ well-being, engagement, motivation, and professional growth. Now I know that I work for people, the same people who have always stood behind my decisions.”

Unit4 values strongly align with Agnieszka’s personal values, which explains her long-term growth within the company. “I always say this: I work here because of the people. I believe our company is truly exceptional in this matter,” she emphasizes.

Starting your IT journey?

Today, Agnieszka advises women who are just starting in IT not to be afraid of trying a new path and to develop their own ways of dealing with setbacks.

“An Engineering Manager in the most technical part of an application, with no technical degree or prior experience – I would never have believed it possible. But it is. What has always helped me, and still does, is persistence. Many times, I was the only woman in a meeting, the youngest, the least experienced. If my efforts didn’t bring the expected results, I didn’t take it personally. I never assumed someone disagreed with me because of bias. I’d rather ask myself, was my communication clear enough? Was I well-prepared?” she explains.

And she shares her personal method: “After every difficult situation, I take a step back to analyze it calmly, without emotion. I learn from my mistakes and try to understand the other person’s intentions. Often, misunderstandings are the root of setbacks, whether during recruitment or early career stages. Now, as a manager, I try to be very clear and specific with expectations, especially for new employees. I do it to motivate them to use a similar approach – look back, see what you could have done differently, and aim for a better outcome next time. I wish everyone that same self-reflection and perseverance,” she concludes.

Unit4 has a people-first culture, where supporting people’s growth opportunities is an essential part of how work should feel. Starting from having little experience, Agnieszka shows us that a meaningful career in IT is possible if we remain persistent, open to change, and ready to learn from our own mistakes.