Interview with Tetyana Yurkevich: “I love opening new horizons and mastering unusual professions”

Recently, the MAPA Public Union had the opportunity to get to know one of the participants of the She Drives project, Tetyana Yurkevich, who works as a picker at Epicenter K LLC and volunteers at the Spilno children's center at one of the Kyiv train stations.

Tetyana went through all the stages of bus driving training, passed the exams, received a category "D" driver's license, and is now actively looking for a job in a new profession.

Why did she decide to participate in the project, how the training went, and what challenges she had to face - read in the material.

- How did you find out about the project?

I saw a message about the recruitment on social networks. I immediately filled out the application form and sent it. However, I did not believe that I would get into the project until the organizers called me for an additional interview. Actually, the thoughts of changing something in my life were there for a long time, but there was always a lack of “push”, and the She Drives project was exactly the push that opened the way to my dream.

– How did you feel when you found out that you were selected to participate?

Confused. Now life is such that you get excited about something, do it, and then problems and reality take up all your time. I didn’t expect to be chosen, I didn’t check my mail because of my workload. When they called and asked if there was an opportunity to take the training, of course I agreed and sent the necessary documents.

I really like driving a car. In addition, I am a fighter in life, I like to open new horizons and master unusual professions.

– How was the training and passing the exams?

I took theory and practice at the Training and Course Complex. I am very grateful to the teacher, instructors and managers – they supported me at every stage. I passed the theoretical exam the first time.

The practice was held according to an individual schedule for each participant. Our group was one of the first in Kyiv and the regions to take the exam, so everyone was very worried. No one knew exactly how it would be and what route would be chosen. There were fears that the route would be short, although the exam should last at least 20 minutes.

During the exam, the instructor carefully monitored my actions and asked me to explain why I was making certain decisions. For example, there was a situation when I had to let other cars pass when entering the site, but the driver in front signaled for me to pass. The instructor asked why I did that - and I explained everything. Clarification of these points and my well-developed bus driving skills allowed me to pass the exam for category "D" the first time.

- Where would you like to work?

I am currently looking for a job as a bus driver in Kyiv. I am considering employment at the Kyivpastrans KP. Of course, there should be an internship to gain experience before working on the routes, but I am ready for this and understand that I can cope with this task. I like to travel, so I think I want to master this profession.

– Have you encountered stereotypes that a woman is a bad driver?

There are a lot of stereotypes, but women have long mastered the vast majority of professions that were previously considered male. I have a strong character, and few people in my life have told me: “This is not your job, you can’t handle it.” Now is the time when there is no such thing as “impossible.”

– Did you notice any systemic problems during your training?

I would like to say that everything is perfect. Actually, in terms of training and instruction, this is indeed the case. But there are factors that are difficult to ignore: the quality of the road surface, imperfect ventilation in the bus cabin. I hope that very soon we will have roads like in the Republic of Azerbaijan, which would be the same in both rain and heat.

The project "Expanding the professional potential of women in the field of transportation" is being implemented by the NGO Foundation for Institutional Development on the initiative of the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, in partnership with UN Women and under the financial support from the governments of France, Poland and Sweden.