Building Connections and Confidence at EPAM Romania with Elena Avanu
Building Connections and Confidence at EPAM Romania with Elena Avanu
CATEGORY
Blog, Career Tips, Life at EPAM
Alexandra Neagu
Marketing Specialist
DATE
Dec 2, 2025
Joining a new company is more than just learning the tools, systems or workflows. It’s about finding your place. The first few weeks can shape how you grow, connect and see yourself in the bigger picture. At EPAM, we believe onboarding is a vital experience — one that starts with trust, grows through community and builds a sense of belonging that lasts.
Read on to get a glimpse into Elena Avanu’s story, as a Project Manager on the Global Delivery at EPAM Romania — and see how those values come to life every day across our teams.
Starting with trust
When you ask Elena, how she first heard about EPAM, she remembers vividly and shares with a smile on her face, “A friend told me, ‘You have to come here! It’s exactly your kind of place: smart, chill and full of great people.’”
Those words stayed with her. And when she joined EPAM, the story came full circle: the same friend who had recommended her, became her buddy during the onboarding process. “It was comforting to have someone I already trusted guiding me through those first steps,” Elena recalls.
“What I liked most in those early days at EPAM, was that people trusted me right away. My opinion mattered, even before I had time to prove anything. It wasn’t about adapting to fit in; it was about being given the space to be myself,” she says. That trust defined her onboarding experience. It was not a checklist of things to accomplish, but rather, onboarding was an invitation to bring her energy and ideas to the team.
The strength of a welcoming community
Elena joined EPAM just in time for a team-building event, “The best kind of timing,” she smiles.
“Honestly, it didn’t even feel like my first day. It felt like coming back from a long vacation to people I already knew. Everyone was welcoming and open. There was no awkward adjustment period. I just fit right in.”
And six months later, that feeling hasn’t faded.
“The community here means a lot to me. There’s a real balance between professionalism and kindness,” says Elena. “People care about doing things well, but they also care about each other. It feels rare to find that mix.”
The EPAM spirit
When asked what surprised her most about joining EPAM, Elena doesn’t hesitate when sharing, “It’s how naturally everything flows. You have freedom, support and this quiet confidence from the people around you. It’s not forced, it’s genuine.”
That blend of autonomy and support is what she believes makes the EPAM culture special. “You’re encouraged to grow, but never alone. There’s always someone ready to share knowledge, jump in with advice or just listen.”
Passing it forward
Elena first joined EPAM because someone she trusted recommended it as a great place to work, and that trust ultimately paid off. “If I had to choose again, I’d say yes,” she says with a smile. “A good recommendation stays with you, and you pass it forward.”
Her story reflects what many discover here: that a strong professional community can make all the difference. When people are open to sharing knowledge and ideas, when they respect each other’s pace and strengths, collaboration stops feeling like an effort and starts feeling natural.
Elena’s journey demonstrates how a welcoming environment, founded on trust and genuine care, can foster both confidence and growth. It’s the kind of culture where curiosity is encouraged, individuality is valued and people are supported in doing their best work together.
Ready to write your own EPAM story?
Discover our open roles and see where your journey could begin. Explore here and apply today.
