Meet Sia Maleshkova – Project Manager at Do IT Wise. Every day she brings joy to the office with her huge smile and amazing sense of humor.
Sia is a very outspoken person who puts family, friends, and her team first in any situation. Learn more about her professional journey, interestsп, and fascinating life path in the following paragraphs.
I am…
Hello, I am Sia Maleshkova, Project Manager at Do IT Wise. My life journey had many interesting turns that led me to the dream life I have created for myself now.
I was born in Yambol in a family of 3 children, where I am the youngest one. When I was 12, my parents decided to move to Kuwait for a work opportunity and this is how my love for the Arabic culture was born. I studied there, and just before I finished high school, we had to come back to Bulgaria for two months due to the political situation there, and this period changed my mind on where I wanted to go to next. So, instead of going to the States, I moved back to Bulgaria and started my bachelor’s in industrial engineering in English at the Technical University of Sofia.
My professional path started in a very different area – I taught English to children and adults, and was very satisfied with that for about five years while I was studying. Then I tried a sales position but quickly found out it was not for me. In 2009, I started as a contractor at a Service Desk at a major technological company. And again, it did not take me long to see I wanted something more tech-oriented and more leadership oriented, so I became a coаch at another Service Desk. A year later, I changed my position to User Acceptance Testing Lead in the IT Service Management division. This is where I understood that ITSM is my true passion.
In 2016 I became a Project Manager in the same company and until this day, I believe I have found my calling. It is a mixture of my strongest qualities – communication, improvisation, innovation, organization, and realizing wild ideas. Unfortunately, after I came back from my maternity leave, a lot of things had changed in the office, and it was not the same energy as before. So, naturally, after some time in 2021, I moved to Do IT Wise and actually came home.
My role in Do IT Wise
Being part of the Wise team is one of the things that makes me appreciate each day and work with joy. My role as a Project Manager is very diverse, and each day is very different than the previous one. The hardest part of the job is to find a way to stimulate and encourage people to want to do a certain task. In order to do that, you need to have a deep understanding of the requirements and realistic expectations, otherwise people lose their trust and that is reflected in their work.
Acting as the connection between the clients and the team, I always strive to provide effective communication and great solutions that make both sides happy and satisfied. Of course, there are harder times and harder projects, but the ability to manage the situation and take into consideration many factors on both sides to solve problems, is what makes a PM a great one. And as I like to say – never leave any contribution unnoticed. People should feel appreciated and have the trust you will be honest and open with them. This is why feedback from my colleagues is very important to me, as it is important they receive feedback from me.
Why Do IT Wise?
You know how life has funny ways of bringing you to the right place. I already had many friends that had joined Do IT Wise over the years. But it was one colleague from my past job that decided to come as well and after her interview, she told me this is absolutely the best place for me and that I would feel right at home being here. Funnily she ended up in a different place, but I will be forever grateful she got me here.
Here I found the work environment I was looking for. When you have caring and supportive people around you and great mentorship, your growth is inevitable. Everyone contributes in their own unique way, which creates a great symbiosis of all the knowledge and experience in the team to achieve excellence in our work. This is why I am in the office almost every day. Live contact is very important for me and cannot be replaced in my opinion.
What I love about Do IT Wise?
Two aspects are really important for me – the team and the company culture. With the people and the ideology that brought them together in Do IT Wise, I feel I truly belong. This is the first time I experience the open door policy happening, not just on paper. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to express their opinions and share feedback with the management at all times, even if the management sometimes disagrees, I am always given a reason as to why.
My favorite moment in Do IT Wise
The Christmas party last year. When I think of the company, I think of that night. Because of all the love, we shared there. Because I felt like I was a part of something very nice, part of a team of friends and like-minded people, and not just a corporation without a face and soul.
My most significant achievement
On a personal and professional level, I think I learned how to overcome my ego in communication and work with friends, teammates, and clients and most importantly family. I keep my integrity and protect my team even when the projects become harder at times. This is something I would really like to teach my son as well.
My biggest lesson
First impressions can be deceptive, often leading us astray in our judgment of others. It is easy to form quick opinions based on superficial cues, appearances, or initial interactions. However, it is essential to recognize that these initial assessments can be misleading and that the true nature of a person may lie beneath the surface.
My hobbies
My focus has always been on my relationships with people, so again in my free time I meet with my friends and family. This is what I love the most.
On this note, one of our family hobbies is sailing. It is a tradition from my husband’s side, and we took our son for the first time on the boat when he was six months old. So, every year we go together – children, parents, and grandparents- and enjoy the stunning views and refreshing sea breeze.
Favorite book or movie
“East of Eden” by John Steinbeck – a timeless classic that explores the profound metamorphosis of its characters.
Where I see myself in 10 years
Hm, for 10 I don’t know. But in 5 years’ time, I see myself still as a Project Manager here. I have so many ideas and inspirations I would like to see come to fruition and I am very excited for what the future holds. And why not one day be a speaker at a PMI event or a TED talk and motivate people further.
A word to the wise
To the readers – if you have ever imagined your dream workplace, well I found mine at Do IT Wise.
If I was a superhero, my power would be…
The dream of every woman – to eat as much as I want and stay fit. 😀 Joke aside, I want to be able to travel in time.
If I could meet one famous person that would be…
First, I would say the Bulgarian journalist George Milkov. He is such an interesting persona, I love how calm and nice he is and the way he talks. He often writes about the Arab world, that I have deep in my heart, so I want to ask him so many things and learn his perspective. I have a signed book of his from a friend and hope one day I will be able to meet him in person.
The second is not a single person, but I would rather be at the table of The Grand Alliance during the Second World War. I want to understand why they have made certain decisions and what was their way of thinking.
My childhood dream
I wanted to be a teacher and influence others in a positive way, maybe also order them around. 😊
If I could switch my job and do anything for a day, what would it be?
As an individual with a burning desire to make a difference, the prospect of becoming a mayor for a day is an exhilarating thought. But it will come with many penalties for people.
Personal “motto” – spoken or unspoken?
Acceptance is the key to happiness.
Favorite family tradition
The tradition of coming together as a family for the holidays is a time-honored ritual that fills our souls with joy and strengthens the bonds that tie us together. It is a time of love, laughter, and celebration, reminding us of the true essence of the holiday spirit. May be a cliche but this is what remains in your memories.
What is one thing I would never do again?
One important lesson I have learned in life is the perils of procrastination and the value of not delaying things until the last moment. Throughout our lives, we often find ourselves tempted to put off tasks, responsibilities, and important decisions, thinking that we have plenty of time. I am still trying to understand when the deadline is in some aspects, but it is a work in progress.
Dream destinations
I’ve always dreamed of visiting Cuba, captivated by its rich culture and vibrant way of living. The mere thought of strolling through the colorful streets of Havana, where music flows through the air, and locals gather in lively plazas, fills my heart with excitement.
Because of my interest in foreign cultures with a mesmerizing blend of influences, my other dream destinations are India and Peru.
And I definitely want to go back to my beautiful Kuwait.
For more inspiring stories, follow our series “Meet the Wise Team”. Learn more about our colleagues and meet next Hristo Ivanov, ITSM Team Lead at Do IT Wise.
