Viktoriia Erokhina is a backend developer at Tonkeeper, a cutting-edge app for storing cryptocurrency directly on the TON blockchain without intermediaries. She has worked at major tech companies like JetBrains and Google, gaining extensive experience in designing, managing, and optimizing high-performance distributed systems. In this interview, she shares how her childhood love of mathematics first led her to a role at Google and eventually allowed her to live and build a career in one of the world's most advanced tech hubs—London ⭐️
Immigram: How did your journey with technology begin?
Viktoriia Erokhina: From a very young age, I was fascinated by mathematics and logic, and my math teacher in elementary school often praised my progress. However, my more serious path in programming began when I entered Lyceum 30 in St. Petersburg and joined a C++ programming club in the eighth grade. This interest was further fuelled by annual trips to the Summer Computer School (LKSH). Actively participating in programming competitions at both city and national levels helped me secure admission to ITMO University.
Immigram: After entering university, you actively pursued your career by working and interning at renowned companies. Could you share your experience?
Viktoriia Erokhina: Thanks to my competitive programming experience and networking at the Summer Computer School, I secured a referral to Google, passed the interviews, and landed internships after my first, second, and third years at university.
At ITMO, I stayed active in competitive programming, organizing school contests, winning a prize at Code Jam to I/O for Women, and teaching at the Summer Computer School. During university, I also gained valuable experience working at VKontakte, Yandex, and JetBrains, which helped solidify my skills and prepare for a career in tech.
Immigram: What happened after you completed your higher education?
Viktoriia Erokhina: After finishing my bachelor's degree, Google offered me a full-time position in their Health division, and I decided to accept it. In 2020, during the peak of the Covid pandemic, I moved to London and faced a number of challenges that made living in the city completely different from the experience I had loved during my internships. Shortly after my move, Google implemented a travel ban, and London went into lockdown: all venues in the city were closed, the atmosphere was somber, and it wasn’t possible to meet friends or even take the subway.
Immigram: Your experience working at Google in London coincided with the Covid pandemic. How did it impact the further development of your career?
Viktoriia Erokhina: In 2020, I went to Russia for the New Year to visit family and friends and found living in Moscow much more enjoyable at the time. Around that same period, I received an offer from a young American e-commerce startup to build and lead a team in Russia. After nine months in London, I decided to move back to Russia for the role. However, I wanted to keep the option of returning to London once the pandemic ended, with greater freedom of movement and more security for career transitions.
Immigram: How did you decide to apply for the UK Global Talent Visa?
Viktoriia Erokhina: In June 2022, amidst heightened political tensions, I obtained a tourist visa to London, and several friends told me about the Global Talent Visa and the company Immigram. Without much hesitation, I took the eligibility test on the Immigram website and booked a free consultation call to assess my chances. My experience working at major companies, as well as my teaching background, gave me a strong foundation. Immigram also offered support in enhancing my public profile, which includes publications, articles, and participation in conferences.
Immigram: You worked on your application with the Immigram team. How did that process go?
Viktoriia Erokhina: Six months after my initial consultation call, I decided to begin the document preparation process with Immigram. We immediately set up a group chat with their legal team, and they provided me with access to an easy-to-use platform where I could input details about my achievements in the industry.
In the next stage, Immigram offered support in enhancing my public profile. They assisted with conference applications and helped publish my articles on platforms like Hackernoon and DZone.
Immigram: What challenges did you face while preparing your case?
Viktoriia Erokhina: The process came with many challenges. Initially, the hardest part was distinguishing what was most important and leaving out less relevant details to ensure my career narrative appeared logical and concise.
Some key metrics showcasing my achievements at previous companies had been lost over time, so I had to reach out to former colleagues, which delayed the initial phase. However, this didn’t disrupt the process—Immigram's team patiently waited, encouraged me, and provided unwavering support from the very beginning. Their commitment and genuine involvement were evident throughout.
Immigram: What are the benefits of working with companies like Immigram?
Viktoriia Erokhina: In my opinion, Immigram's experts have the experience to accurately assess the likelihood of a case's success. This meant I didn’t have to guess how to present my experience or stress about potential rejections or appeals.
My process took about two years and moved at a pace that was comfortable for me. I also appreciate that the Global Talent Visa can be renewed indefinitely, offering more flexibility for life planning. I’m truly grateful to Immigram for simplifying the process and providing support at every stage.
Immigram: You’ve received your visa—what happened next?
Viktoriia Erokhina: In July of this year, after just a week of waiting, I received the coveted endorsement letter from Tech Nation. I immediately filled out the application, paid the healthcare surcharge, booked an appointment at the visa center, and completed the required medical exams, as is necessary when applying from Russia. Exactly a month and a half after visiting the visa center, my visa was ready. Now, I’m planning a trip to London to pick up my BRP.
We congratulate Viktoriia on this win and becoming the next Global Talent! 🌟
