Professional Integration HUB

Hanna Tomyshch, Professional Integration HUB 2.0 Program Participant (Impact Hub Vienna)

Intro

• Age: 37 years old
• City in Ukraine where you lived before the full-scale invasion (forced relocation): Lviv
• Specialization: Videographer, Makeup Artist

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

My husband and I had been dreaming for years of moving to Ukraine. It was our first year after fully relocating from the Middle East. Before the full-scale invasion, I was managing a makeup studio; a startup that I had built from the ground up. By the end of its first year, it became profitable, with a full client list, and my name established a niche in the market.

FORCED EMIGRATION AND LIFE IN AUSTRIA

Naturally, after the war began, my services were no longer in demand. My husband, who is Lebanese, and I left Ukraine almost immediately. Since my brother and his family live in Austria, Vienna was the first destination that came to mind.

When we arrived, we were optimistic, believing that with our multilingual backgrounds and the many international organizations in Vienna, finding work would be straightforward. However, we were quickly disappointed. After months of sending out applications, all we received were rejections, most without any explanation.

I didn’t expect to continue in the same field and wasn’t ready to invest years to rebuild from scratch, so I accepted an administrative job in an office. It wasn’t fulfilling, but since I was the only working person in the family, I stayed for a year.

After leaving the job due to health issues in my family, I began to rethink my direction. I wanted something closer to my skills, so I ventured into videography. But without a university degree or prior experience in this field, I lacked the confidence to apply for related positions.

Professional Integration HUB

Then, unexpectedly, my brother sent me a link to the Professional Integration HUB with a message: “Maybe you’ll find this interesting.” I browsed through the opportunities and found two positions: one administrative and the other in the marketing department.

This time, I decided not to play it safe. I thought, “It’s an internship; they might overlook my lack of experience.” Gathering all my courage, I applied for the content creator role. To my joy, I was accepted.

Now, halfway through my internship, I can confidently say I feel like a fully integrated team member. I feel productive, valued, and aligned with the work we do. I can apply my skills and communicate effectively with my colleagues on technical marketing tasks. Even more, my teammates count on my opinion and occasionally seek my advice.

This experience has restored my confidence and restored my passion for creative work. It’s a reminder that taking a chance, even when you doubt yourself, can lead to meaningful opportunities.

During my internship, I expected to sharpen my marketing skills and expand my network. The Professional Integration HUB has been crucial in helping me believe in myself. It gave me the push I needed to apply for a creative role and realize my potential. Halfway through the internship, I can confidently say it’s been eye-opening. The blend of practical tasks like filming and interviewing, along with strategic learning sessions such as Holacracy, has challenged me in all the right ways.

Austrians have surprised me with how much trust they place in you to manage your own work. The autonomy people have, while still being part of a team, is refreshing. I also appreciate how open and collaborative the work environment is. Even as an intern, my voice feels valued, which is something I haven’t experienced before.

In comparing the professional environments in Ukraine and Austria, Austria stands out for its structured focus on sustainability and long-term strategies, whereas Ukraine tends to be more reactive and adaptive. I believe combining both approaches could create the best of both worlds.

Through my time in Austria, I’ve gained valuable insights into blending creative content creation with social impact narratives, particularly through projects like the AWS Verified Social Enterprise-Label program. I’ve also learned about innovative team structures like Holacracy.

A highlight of my experience was the study visit to Graz. It wasn’t just about exploring art galleries or meeting the Ukrainian community; it was a meaningful experience that demonstrated how cultural and professional integration can coexist. Throughout this program, I’ve made lasting connections, both professionally and personally, with like-minded individuals, especially at Impact Hub Vienna and within the Ukrainian community.

Photos: Valerie Loudon

• Series of Interviews with Participants of the Professional Integration HUB 2.0 Program.