Get to know… Our Senior Developer – Alexandra Yovkova

Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?

My name is Alexandra. I am 27  years old and still exploring the beauty of the world we live in. I was always curious and eager to know more about everything and explore new territories both for places and hobbies. I love nature, animals, reading books, doing craft-work at home and making people around me happy.

How long have you been working as a developer? Tell us about your experience.

I’ve been working as a software developer for more than seven years. My career started at HackSoft, which played a huge role in shaping me as a developer and as a professional. It was where I built much of my foundation in software development, learned the importance of writing quality software, and had the opportunity to work alongside people who constantly challenged me to improve.

Over the years, I also had the opportunity to grow into a leadership role, eventually becoming a team leader responsible for a team of around 10 people. That experience taught me a lot about communication, collaboration, mentoring, and understanding that being a good developer is about much more than just writing code.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the chance to work with a variety of technologies, including Python and Django, PHP and Laravel, JavaScript with React, Angular and Vue, as well as React Native. Working across different technologies and environments has helped me become more adaptable and develop a broader understanding of software development.

After HackSoft became part of Waracle, I continued my journey with the team, taking on new challenges and opportunities to grow my technical and leadership skills.

What do you like most about working at Waracle?

One of the things I value most about working at Waracle is the culture. There is a strong sense of mutual respect, a friendly and supportive atmosphere, and a genuine willingness to help one another.

I also really appreciate the opportunities for both personal and professional growth. People are encouraged to learn, share their knowledge, and take on new challenges, regardless of their role or level of experience.

Most importantly, I feel that everyone is treated equally and with respect. There are many passionate people across the company who genuinely care about what they do, and being surrounded by that kind of energy makes a big difference.

What are your favourite technologies, and why?

Two of my favourites are Django and GitHub, although for very different reasons.

I really enjoy working with Django because it provides so many useful, out-of-the-box solutions to common web development problems. It gives you a solid foundation to build on while still leaving plenty of room to explore and make things your own. Django is also such a large and mature framework that I’m still discovering new things about it, even after working with it for years.

GitHub, on the other hand, is much more than a place to store your project’s codebase. I see it as a huge source of knowledge and inspiration. There are so many interesting projects, ideas, discussions, and open-source contributions available that you can constantly learn from other developers and discover new approaches to solving problems.

What is your favorite tool you use daily in your job?

My notebook and a pen. 

It might sound a little old-fashioned for someone working in tech, but I find that writing things down helps me organise my thoughts much better than keeping everything in my head. Whether I’m planning a task, sketching out an idea, making a list, or trying to understand a problem, putting it on paper helps me structure my thinking and see things more clearly.

Sometimes the simplest tools are still the most useful ones.

What has your experience been like working as a woman in tech?

For me, working in tech has been a journey of constantly learning, challenging myself, and finding my voice. I’ve been fortunate to work with people who value knowledge, curiosity, and the quality of your work, regardless of who you are.

Being a woman in tech has also encouraged me to become more confident in sharing my ideas and opinions, especially in situations where I might initially have doubted myself. Over the years, I’ve learned that you don’t need to have all the answers to have something valuable to contribute. Sometimes, asking the right question or offering a different perspective can be just as important.

I’m also grateful for the opportunity to have grown into a leadership role and to support other people along the way. I hope that by being visible, sharing my experiences, and encouraging others to believe in their abilities, I can help create an environment where more women feel confident pursuing careers in technology.

What is the motto that motivates you?

“Make today the day you learn something new.”

I like this motto because it reminds me that progress doesn’t always have to be something big. There is always an opportunity to learn something new, whether it’s a technical concept, a new perspective from a colleague, or simply something completely unrelated to work.

For me, staying curious and continuing to learn is one of the most important parts of both personal and professional growth.

What hobbies are you currently exploring?

I have quite a few! Reading, hiking, and doing crafts are probably the ones I spend the most time on.

I really enjoy making things with my hands, so I’ve been exploring wood carving and making earrings. I also enjoy drawing and, more recently, learning to play the guitar.

I think having creative hobbies is a great way to disconnect from work and give your brain a completely different kind of challenge. And, of course, I’m always open to trying something new – so I’m sure this list will continue to grow!

Connect with Alex and follow us on LinkedIn to keep up to date with opportunities at Waracle!