18 February 2025
Kateryna Holubova: “I’ve felt the “imposter syndrome” all the time, but I choose to focus on feeling lucky rather than guilty about it”
Kateryna Holubova, Professional Integration HUB 2.0 Program Participant (MQ – MuseumsQuartier Wien)
Intro
- Age: 32 years old
- City in Ukraine where you lived before the full-scale invasion (forced relocation): Kyiv
- Specialization: Event management, Concept creation
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Before the invasion, I worked in event agencies in Ukraine. We organized large-scale events, such as international industry forums, conferences, corporate parties, award ceremonies, product launches, and festivals. By the time of the invasion, I was working as a concept creator, responsible for developing event themes, content, scenarios, and other creative materials specific to each event.
After graduating with a degree in Management of Organizations, I reflected on which aspect of the field excited me the most. There were so many interesting subjects: management decision-making, marketing, risk management, innovation management… But what I knew for sure was that I wanted to pursue a career driven by passion and significance above all else. I had heard about “event marketing” and decided that my mission would be to help society through the work of companies while also providing them with PR benefits.
Since event project management wasn’t exactly what I studied, I began volunteering at various city events, taking an event management course, and attending workshops led by event professionals. After one of these workshops, I applied to a leading company where one of the speakers worked. They recognized my enthusiasm, and that’s when it all began.
The event industry is highly sensitive to social and economic turbulence. It had just begun to recover after the corona virus pandemic when the full-scale invasion began. However, the way I see it, the people of Ukraine are truly amazing: strong, fast, hardworking, and passionate. After the invasion, many event agencies didn’t stop working; they redirected their project management skills toward volunteer efforts, social support, and the development of cultural projects.
It’s difficult for event companies to survive under wartime conditions, but this year has shown that, despite the tremendous stress, people need positive emotions as much as they need food or sleep. The market is adapting, infusing events with new meanings of gratitude and true celebrations of life. I continue supporting my former colleagues online, staying connected to the industry.
FORCED EMIGRATION
The war found me in Kyiv; I woke up in the morning to the sound of explosions.
At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, I went to Lithuania with part of my family. There, I joined a volunteer organization, and for the next six months, we organized rallies and concerts in support of Ukraine. I have such warm feelings for the country. The support of the people there meant everything. My family now lives there, and I often come to visit. Lithuania continues to feel like a second home to me.
LIFE IN AUSTRIA
Finding an apartment wasn’t easy, but if you do everything right, it’s possible. German doesn’t feel that hard to me because I enjoy learning languages, but until I can speak it confidently, other processes are challenging. The main challenge is getting a qualified full-time job.
I have tried working in my field in Austria. This year I had the opportunity to work at the Klima Biennale Festival, which lasted three months. The theme was particularly appealing to me. Climate change is another global issue that, along with armed aggression, requires immediate decisions and actions.
If I could speak to myself when I first started my journey in Austria, I’d say: “Your mixed feelings are normal, they won’t last, and you will get through it. And if you can, try to learn the language faster.”
My advice to Ukrainians living abroad would be to integrate, but also stay connected with Ukraine through action; attend Ukrainian events, support its culture and artists, and speak out against the propaganda. Doing so helps you feel connected and part of a community.
Professional Integration HUB
A year ago, I saw the advertisement about the Professional Integration HUB program on Instagram. Then, several friends from Ukraine and other countries also sent it to me. The ad campaign worked very well! I applied but didn’t qualify at first. I knew I needed to improve my German, so I hoped there would be another chance. And as they say, “Fate has something better in store for you,” this year I applied again and got an internship at MuseumsQuartier. It was exactly the place where I had previously applied for an internship on my own and really wanted to go.
I would describe the Professional Integration HUB in one phrase as a summer camp for grown-up professionals. I feel so well cared for. In this program, we have a variety of activities: professional meetings with experts, as well as community-building events and tours. I am very grateful to the organizers for their dedication and support.
What surprised me the most about Austrian corporate culture was how people always find time and energy to be polite and use words of courtesy with each other. The Ukrainian approach is a bit different. We tend to speak more directly and get straight to the point, which I also see as a way of showing care by saving the other person’s time. I appreciate and recognize the advantages of both communication styles and would use each in different situations.
I’ve felt the “imposter syndrome” all the time, but I choose to focus on feeling lucky rather than guilty about it.
I am also on my way to fulfillment, but based on my experience, here are some key tips for Ukrainians in Austria on how to fulfill yourself in your professional field. First, don’t give up on your career dreams due to circumstances; take your chances. Start with simple jobs, but in the field of your interest. Talk to people and ask for advice, as they are often willing to help; you just need to figure out how. Consider using your professional experience to help other Ukrainians, as it will provide a sense of fulfillment, help you stay in harmony with yourself, and prevent you from feeling lost. Lastly, respect the way others live, as there are reasons for it. You can take approaches that suit you while staying true to your values, becoming a unique blend of the best practices.
PLANS AFTER PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM
The internship in the Professional Integration HUB program has influenced my professional ambitions significantly. Before the program, I knew I had various skills and could apply for different jobs. Some would match my experience but didn’t appeal to me, others didn’t match my experience at all but were in the field I’m interested in, and some seemed to exist only in my mind. Now, I am clear about who I want to be. I want to shift slightly from the field of corporate events to culture and art. I can apply my experience in this area, and I now see a deep sense of purpose in developing culture and conveying important messages through it.
My experience would be most valuable in the area of cultural management. MuseumsQuartier sets an example of how to combine cultural heritage with modern art, allowing artists from around the world to develop while enriching Austrian modern culture and building connections between countries. It would be wonderful if Ukraine had an institution like that, supported by the state, patrons, and international organizations. When the war ends, it could become a place where artists from all over the world come, feel, and be inspired by the Ukrainian freedom we are fighting for.
Photos: Valerie Loudon