A young team, open communication, and opportunities for professional growth — these are the key advantages of working at UHY Prostir that Viktoriia Drozd highlights. Having joined the company as an assistant, she now leads the largest and youngest team within the accounting outsourcing department as a Project Manager.
In this interview, Viktoriia shares her professional journey, transition into a leadership, the principles of team management, and approaches that help create an atmosphere of trust, support, and continuous development. We also discussed the qualities that help young professionals grow faster, why openness to new opportunities matters, and what makes UHY Prostir a comfortable place for professional development.
Viktoriia, before joining our team, you already had experience working in other companies. What convinced you to join UHY Prostir?
For me, it was important to join a company where I could not only perform my responsibilities effectively, but also influence processes and continue developing professionally. At UHY Prostir, I immediately noticed a combination of strong expertise, open communication, and genuine support for employee growth. I was also attracted by the atmosphere within both the team and the company overall.
What were your first impressions of the team and processes when you joined UHY Prostir?
I was immediately impressed by how open the team was and how willing colleagues were to help and share their knowledge. Despite the large amount of new information, I felt supported from my very first days. I also remember the friendly atmosphere and people’s sincere commitment to achieving common results together.
What helped you adapt quickly to the new environment?
First and foremost, the openness of my colleagues and their willingness to answer even the simplest questions. The company’s internal culture also played an important role — it is completely normal here to clarify details, ask questions, and propose your own ideas.
You progressed from assistant to Project Manager. Which moments were the most important in your professional journey?
One of the turning points came when I was entrusted with independently supporting clients and coordinating certain processes. That was when I realized I could contribute not only through my own work, but also by influencing broader team results.
Another important stage was the gradual expansion of my responsibilities and the appearance of management functions. Supporting colleagues, onboarding newcomers, and helping organizing workflows changed the way I viewed my role. I started thinking beyond my own responsibilities and began considering the needs of the team and the efficiency of processes as a whole. That was when I truly felt ready for the next step in my professional growth.
In your opinion, what helps specialists grow professionally at UHY Prostir?
Most importantly, people here are genuinely given opportunities to try new things and develop. If someone demonstrates initiative, is ready to take responsibility, and is willing to go beyond routine tasks, it is noticed and supported. Another important factor is the diversity of projects and tasks, as well as constant interaction with experienced colleagues from whom you can learn and gain practical experience.
Were there moments when you were given more responsibility than you expected? How did you handle it?
Yes, definitely, but I saw them primarily as a sign of trust from management and colleagues. That trust motivated me to grow, master new skills faster, and step outside my comfort zone. With every new responsibility, I became more confident in my professional abilities and gradually felt ready to take on even more.
When did you realize you were ready to move into the Project Manager role?
Probably when I started looking at work more broadly than just through the lens of my own tasks. I became increasingly interested in how team processes were organized, how communication between people was built, and what could be improved to achieve better collective results. At some point, I realized I wanted not only to complete my own tasks, but also to participate in organizing processes and developing the team as a whole.
What were your expectations of the Project Manager role? What matched your expectations, and what surprised you?
I expected the role to involve a lot of communication, workflow organization, and team support — and that truly is a significant part of the job. However, over time I realized how important flexibility and the ability to react quickly to changes are for a Project Manager. I was also pleasantly surprised by how much importance there is in working with people and creating a comfortable team atmosphere.
Was there a moment when you truly felt like a PM?
Yes. Probably when I realized the team expected support and decisions from me. At that moment, I understood that I was responsible not only for projects, but also for the people and the atmosphere within the team.
You manage the largest and youngest team. Does that influence your management and communication style?
Absolutely. A young team especially needs support and a flexible, people-oriented management approach. That is why I focus heavily on openness and accessibility in communication. I try to create an environment where people are not afraid to ask questions or discuss difficulties.
It is also important for me to explain not only “what needs to be done,” but also “why it should be done this way.” At the same time, I see the youth of the team as a major advantage. We communicate easily with one another, and younger colleagues often help identify processes that need improvement.
Are there specific principles or approaches you consciously build within your team?
For me, openness in communication and mutual respect are extremely important. I strongly believe problems should be discussed immediately rather than allowed to accumulate. Another key principle is that it is perfectly normal not to know something at the beginning — what matters is being willing to learn and search for solutions.
Our team processes are also interconnected and distributed among different people. This not only helps organize work effectively, but also encourages internal communication and collaboration.
How does your team handle mistakes or difficult situations?
If something goes wrong, our focus is not on finding someone to blame, but on understanding the root cause and thinking about how to avoid similar situations in the future. When people are not afraid of making mistakes, they develop faster, communicate more openly, and are more willing to ask for help when necessary.
What does a comfortable work environment mean to you, and how do you create it within your team?
For me, a comfortable work environment is one where people feel free to ask questions, propose ideas, and openly discuss challenges. I try to maintain a culture of mutual support where the team works not as individuals competing separately, but as one system.
It is also important to me that our communication is not limited only to work topics. I genuinely care about what people are interested in and inspired by outside of work because that helps us understand one another better and build a stronger team.
In your opinion, what helps young specialists unlock their potential at work?
Support and trust. When people are given opportunities to try, make mistakes, and gradually take on more responsibility, their professional growth happens much faster.
Regular feedback and involvement in more complex processes are also very important. When people feel supported and know they are not left alone with new challenges, they gain confidence more easily. Over time, such tasks become natural, and independence develops gradually and without unnecessary pressure.
What kind of people do you think feel most comfortable working at UHY Prostir?
People who enjoy development, are not afraid of new challenges, and are willing to take initiative. There are many opportunities here for learning, professional growth, and involvement in different processes, so proactivity and openness to new experiences are extremely valuable.
What distinguishes UHY Prostir as an employer from other companies?
I believe one of the main differences is the combination of professionalism and a comfortable team atmosphere. High professional standards here are combined with support, quality communication, and genuine opportunities for professional growth.
Which qualities help people grow from assistant roles into more advanced positions faster?
Proactivity, willingness to take responsibility, continuous learning and openness to new opportunities.
What does a “successful start” in the company look like from your perspective?
For me, a successful start is when a person is not afraid to engage in work, ask questions, and gradually become part of the team. Nobody expects newcomers to know everything immediately. Curiosity, openness to new experiences, and a desire to grow are far more important.
What helps you recover after intense work periods?
Quality switching between work and personal activities helps me a lot. It can be running, stretching, spending time with loved ones, walking around the city, or attending creative workshops. These activities help clear my mind and reduce stress levels.
Over time, I also realized how important it is to allow yourself to slow down occasionally. Given the nature of our work, which involves constant deadlines, such pauses help restore energy and return to work with renewed focus.
What motivates you most in your work right now?
What motivates me most is the development of the team. It is incredibly inspiring to see people grow professionally, become more confident, and take on new responsibilities. I am also motivated by the feeling that together we are building processes that genuinely work and help make the team more effective.
Which recent moment in your team’s work stands out to you the most?
Probably the moments when the team went through extremely intense periods but still remained united. For me, that is one of the best examples of true teamwork — when people support one another and continue moving toward a shared goal even during difficult times.
Interviewed by Kateryna Bohdan
