Every month we ask one individual in our network a few questions about their way into tech, their motivation and their lessons learned.
Let’s start from the beginning. Tell us about where you’re from!
I come from Stans in Central Switzerland. I grew up with my parents and younger brother, and I spent a lot of time with my grandparents when I was small. I would say my childhood was pretty normal, nothing really interesting that I could mention here.
What valuable advice did you get from your parents?
I think the most valuable advice from my parents was that you have to work hard to a) achieve your goals and b) to earn money. This was a very important lesson I started experiencing at a young age. I always had one big obsession with something big that I wanted to buy, like a new mountain bike or a scooter (called “kick-board” back then :).
Even though my parents would have had the money to buy me all of these things as most parents did, they never did that. They said they’d buy me an old second-hand bike but definitely not a new mountain bike and that if I wanted one, I’d have to earn the money myself. So I started working during the summer holidays when I was 12, washing dishes and waiting tables at a restaurant near my home. Since the mountain bike was so expensive, I had to work two summers and add my Christmas and birthday money on top. And I will never forget that moment when I was finally able to go to the store and buy my dream mountain bike. It was a valuable lesson that if you want something, you need to work for it.
How did you become interested in tech?
I have a non-technical background, having done my Bachelor in Multilingual Communication and my first Master in Business Administration. My boyfriend had always been a programmer and had been trying to get me interested in it for a long time. I always told him that I’m not into this “nerd stuff” and that I’m not suitable for programming, since I had always been bad at math. After my Master, I didn’t want to go and work for an insurance or bank like my classmates, so I asked him to share with me a bit about programming. He shared with me an online Ruby tutorial and after a few hours, I was hooked. It turned out not to be that difficult, and I decided to make the career change to the tech industry. I then worked part-time as an accountant to earn my money and did a part-time internship as a software developer at Simplificator. On the side, I also did a Master of Advanced Studies in Software Engineering to gain an academic foundation as well.
Have you ever had a role model that inspired you on your path?
I never had a specific role model that I wanted to imitate but there have been lots of people who have inspired me along the way. The most influential inspiration came from the “International Visitor Leadership Program” by the US State Department. The program was called “Hidden No More” and it meant that 50 women from 50 countries who have influence in their local communities met for a 4-week exchange program in the US. We traveled to different cities in the US to meet women in leadership positions at famous institutions like NASA, National Geographic, and MIT. These 50 women inspired me so much with the work they do in their countries and communities and we soon realized that we all face pretty much the same challenges, regardless of where we’re from. That was a massive bonding experience for me.
What aspects of your work are you proudest of?
I’m proudest of the work I do with Code Blossom. Code Blossom is a non-profit organization that provides a free programming certification for women in developing countries. It’s my way of giving back after so many people have helped me get into the tech industry.
What drives you at work?
I sometimes hear stories of our participants at Code Blossom about hardship, discrimination, and injustice. Yet they show up every day to study for a better future. Seeing that determination and perseverance inspires me and drives me to make our curriculum better, and to get our graduates hired by great companies.
How did the idea of founding Code Blossom come about?
I was always passionate about mentoring. Right after I started learning to program myself, I participated in Ruby Monstas, a weekly programming course for women, and I participated in and organized a few Rails Girls events. My motivation was that when I made the move to the tech industry, there were so many people who selflessly helped me learn everything I needed to learn to become successful. I’m still deeply grateful for all the help I received. Now that I have a successful career, I feel like it’s time to give back and lift others.
The other spark for Code Blossom happened when I was traveling to some of the developing countries we’re working with now.
Can you describe a moment when you saw a direct impact of your work on a participant’s life?
We have a monthly organization-wide all-hands call where the whole community comes together. In every call, we have a “participant showcase” which means that one participant shares her story. These sessions are always deeply emotional and these presenters share their gratitude to be part of Code Blossom. In some cases, Code Blossom is the only opportunity to become independent and get a career for themselves. One participant ran away from her abusive father and husband and lives by herself in hiding. She said Code Blossom is all she has. When I hear stories like this, I feel very humble. And I’m grateful that we can improve lives by giving access to free education.
How has your perspective on diversity and inclusion evolved through your work with Code Blossom?
If we can just create more of these opportunities and use these women’s willingness to contribute, we can move to a more diverse tech industry and society at large. I’m doing the best that I can with Code Blossom, and I do hope that other organizations will join that effort as well.
What has been your toughest challenge you faced while working in tech?
I think the toughest challenge for me has been to be taken seriously. Apart from being female, I’m also a very short person and have a rather childlike voice :). People usually don’t expect much from me and are then all the more surprised if I do something great. It used to bother me a lot but now I don’t mind anymore. I am aware that I probably have to put in some more work to convince people of my capabilities, but at this point – instead of questioning it – I just put in the work to prove myself. And take it as an advantage that people are positively surprised if I do good work.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast?
My favorite books:
So good they can’t ignore you
by Cal Newport
The book challenges the “follow your passion” advice, asserting that skill development and mastery lead to fulfilling work. It introduces the concept of “career capital,” emphasizing the need for deliberate practice and acquiring rare and valuable skills. By focusing on becoming so good they can’t ignore you, individuals can achieve greater career satisfaction and success.
Willpower
by Roy F. Baumeister and John Tierney
This book explores the science of self-control, detailing how willpower works, why it matters, and how to strengthen it. It explains that willpower is a finite resource, depleted through use, but can be bolstered through practices like setting clear goals, monitoring progress, and managing stress, ultimately leading to greater success and well-being.
Can’t Hurt Me
by David Goggins
This book chronicles David Goggins’ journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a Navy SEAL and ultra-endurance athlete. It emphasizes the power of mental toughness, self-discipline, and embracing pain and hardship to achieve one’s full potential, providing practical strategies for overcoming obstacles and pushing beyond perceived limits.
What advice would you give other women in tech?
My advice is to get a mentor! This can be another woman in tech, but it doesn’t have to be. For example, my mentor used to be an Olympic swimmer and he’s now a personal coach. He coaches me on how to scale Code Blossom on the one hand, and on how to use and control my mind on the other. A mentor is also about accountability. I think it’s important that we all keep learning and improving, and with a mentor, we can have an accountability partner who can help us actually implement improvements in our jobs and in our lives.
And what advice would you give women not yet working in tech that want to enter the field?
I would say it’s a challenge but you should definitely go for it. It’s not always easy but incredibly rewarding.
