Building an IT Project Management Career With Community
Building an IT Project Management Career With Community
CATEGORY
Blog, Leadership Stories
Kathryn Satterfield
Lead Marketing Specialist
Alina Shushueva
Project Manager
DATE
Jun 4, 2026
For Alina Shushueva, a Project Manager at EPAM Lithuania, successful leadership relies on curiosity, community building and emotional intelligence —in addition to solid technical skills.
Whether she is navigating complex delivery challenges or driving global community initiatives, Alina’s career demonstrates that consistent action and a human-centered approach are key to creating meaningful impact and a successful IT project management career.
For some, it may never feel like the right moment to take the next step in a growing career. Whether it’s untangling a tough project item, learning a new language or advocating for a supportive workplace, making progress only requires the courage to begin.
Today, Alina applies this “just start” philosophy to her work helping global clients build digital products used by millions of people every day.
Alina dives into how she navigates the complexities of modern project delivery, the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership and why empowering others through mentorship is the ultimate measure of success.
Taking a Human-Centric Approach to your IT Project Management Career
Before she came to EPAM, Alina already had a positive impression of the company. The EPAM office in Lithuania was just across the street from her previous job, and she had heard great things about the supportive culture and comprehensive benefits. She was ultimately drawn in by the opportunity for continuous learning and the chance to collaborate with major global brands.
Today, her primary focus is driving end-to-end project delivery. She ensures teams meet timelines, maintain scope and deliver quality without overrunning budgets. However, she is quick to point out that modern project management requires far more than technical skill.
“Project management today is much more about decision-making and people management,” Alina explains. “What matters today is choosing a path — sometimes with incomplete information — and managing a variety of stakeholder expectations. Honestly, most project issues don’t come from poor planning, they come from unspoken risks, unresolved dependencies and late communication.”
Because of this, Alina prioritizes emotional intelligence (or EQ) along with technical talent when building high-performing teams. She believes that team members who listen well, adapt easily and communicate transparently help create a healthy environment where everyone can do their best work.
Finding Community and Mentorship
No project manager has all the answers, which is why Alina leans heavily on the collaborative culture at EPAM. Whenever she faces a roadblock, she turns to the extensive Delivery Management community in her location for advice.
“People are always eager to jump in and help,” she says. “You have the opportunity to talk about what’s worked — or what hasn’t — and get honest feedback and fresh ideas.” Recently, she participated in a community event to share lessons learned from working on Artificial Intelligence (AI) pre-sales projects. By exchanging ideas and examining issues together, the team discovered better ways to solve problems.
This collaborative philosophy extends deeply into her passion for mentorship. Before her role as an EPAM Project Manager, Alina served as a mentor for Women Go Tech to help professionals transition into IT. With EPAM Lithuania now officially partnering with the program, her journey has come full circle.
“I once doubted whether I could ever start a career in IT, but thanks to the incredible support of Women Go Tech I found the courage to take that step,” Alina shares. “Now, with EPAM Lithuania joining Women Go Tech, we are proud to offer that same support to others, helping them embark on their own journeys.”
For Alina, mentoring professionals on the project management track is about providing practical guidance and building confidence. “Mentorship is much more than just guidance; it's about sharing stories, lifting each other up and breaking down barriers,” she says. “As AI continues to reshape our world, every voice matters more than ever. Together, we can build an industry that drives innovation and empowers all of us to grow and thrive.”
Cultivating a Supportive Global Community
Alina’s commitment to breaking down barriers extends beyond her daily project work. As a global leader for an EPAM Employee Group (EEG), she collaborates with Global Communications, ESG and Human Resources teams to drive meaningful change across the company.
Her leadership has led to many significant milestones. Since 2023, Alina has helped establish two major annual celebrations for the EEG and has facilitated roundtable discussions with leading global clients to discuss shared goals. She also played an important role in developing global guidelines for clear and accessible communication, a blueprint that is now an integral part of the employee journey.
“Being part of supportive groups like these absolutely helps you connect with colleagues outside your immediate practice,” she notes. “Moreover, I have connected with people who will be lifelong friends.”
Advice for Future Leaders
For those looking to enter the field, Alina recommends focusing on communication and negotiation skills while continuing to develop a T-shaped skill set (balancing deep expertise in your specific discipline while maintaining the broad knowledge required to collaborate across different technical domains).
She also applies a continuous learning mindset to her own career, carefully aligning her personal development with the needs of her projects. She recently earned the Project Management Professional certification from the globally recognized Project Management Institute (PMI), deepening her understanding of delivery best practices and staying ahead of trends like the growing use of AI.
Ultimately, Alina’s advice always returns to action. “If you are waiting for the perfect moment to learn a new skill, join an employee group or transition into tech — don’t wait. Start today, start small and keep going.”
