Over the past several months, Ali Shoja and Oleksandra Pylypiv have each contributed their expertise, embraced new challenges, and demonstrated the qualities that will make them invaluable additions to the Canadian tech community. From back-end development and mentorship to end-to-end QA and automation testing, their experiences highlight the power of collaboration, adaptability, and resilience.
Ali Shoja
From the moment Ali Shoja joined Tech Connect in June 2025, it was clear that he brought more to the table than just his credentials. His deep technical knowledge and willingness to share it quickly positioned him as a mentor to others on the team. Ali built close relationships with his peers, offering guidance and support while contributing his skills to meaningful projects.
During the program, Ali took ownership of the back-end development for most of the modules in the platform, a newer area of expertise for him. By embracing this challenge, he expanded his capabilities into full-stack development, strengthening both his technical range and his confidence. Along the way, he showcased qualities that stood out to everyone: he was coachable, collaborative, eager to share ideas, and adept at tackling complex API integrations.
“Ali brought a quiet sense of humor into the team and a level of thoughtfulness that other members began to adopt. He is a leader in the making,” said Shannon, who worked closely with him throughout the program.
Reflecting on his experience, Ali shared:
“Tech Connect gave me the opportunity to work on a real project and contribute to it. I learned new skills, collaborated with a team, and worked under the guidance of a Senior Software Engineer. I asked questions, learned how application architecture is built, and gained valuable insight into the decisions behind it. This program gave me the chance to participate without financial concerns, and it was a very valuable experience for me. I believe this program will be very beneficial for Moncton, and I hope it will continue so that more people can join, gain experience, and prepare themselves for entering the Canadian job market.”
As Ali looks ahead, he sees his future in software development, a path where his technical expertise, collaborative spirit, and natural mentorship abilities will continue to shine.
Oleksandra Pylypiv
When Oleksandra Pylpiv joined Tech Connect in June 2025, she brought with her a strong background in manual QA from her work in Ukraine. Over the course of the program, she not only applied her existing skills but also grew in ways that will have a lasting impact on her career. Her confidence lifted, her technical expertise deepened, and she fully embraced the value she will bring into the next company she joins.
As the senior QA contributor, Oleksandra handled the end-to-end quality assurance process for the team’s project. She communicated with software developers about their code with both confidence and respect, ensuring that the platform was delivered on time and to a high standard. Along the way, she demonstrated adaptability by picking up new tasks mid-project, an inquisitive mindset, and the ability to dive into someone else’s code to keep progress moving forward.
“Oleksandra took on her role with little direction. She also developed her software development skills while working alongside the team. She will make a great addition to any team, either as an individual contributor or a collaborator,” said Shannon.
Reflecting on her experience, Oleksandra shared:
“Tech Connect made me feel much more confident and prepared. The program gave me Canadian experience, helped me strengthen my automation skills, and improved how I present myself in interviews. The most valuable part was the chance to gain real Canadian project experience while expanding my automation testing skills. I was able to dive deeper into automation with Playwright, API testing with Postman, and database validation with SQL.
I also found the collaboration with a diverse, multicultural team very valuable. It gave me insight into Canadian workplace culture, improved my confidence, and helped me prepare for future roles. Tech Connect bridged the gap between my international QA experience and local opportunities, and I’m very grateful for it.”
Oleksandra leaves the program not only more rigorous and skilled but also ready to bring her strengthened confidence, adaptability, and technical expertise to Canada’s growing tech sector.
Looking Ahead
As Ali and Oleksandra take their next steps toward careers in software development and quality assurance, their stories remind us of the importance of creating opportunities that bridge skills, cultures, and communities. Tech Connect is proud to have supported their journeys, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will continue to make in Canada’s tech sector and beyond.