Dr. Naureen Farhan is the Course Leader for Creative Computing at Ravensbourne University London, within the Department of Computing.
She earned a PhD in Computer Science with a specialisation in Radio Resource Management by implementing the Machine Learning Techniques for 5G Networks. Active in academia since 2010, Dr Farhan has consistently taught in the field of Computer Science and has made significant research contributions, publishing in esteemed journals and presenting at international conferences.
Ravensbourne University London is one of the most dynamic media, design, business, and computing institutions in the UK. Located next to London’s Design District on the Greenwich Peninsula, we have a vibrant and diverse community of approximately 4,500 students at foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate level.
Their students benefit from world-class facilities and learn from some of the most insightful and inspiring minds in the creative and digital industries. Driven by industry standards and supported by the latest high-performance technology, they produce highly employable and enterprising graduates. They are the top-ranked specialist university for graduate salaries in creative art and design and have a strong track record when it comes to business creation. Alongside their student community, Ravensbourne University London has hosted more than 100 creative technology businesses through their Incubation unit, from award-winning production companies and digital agencies to internationally recognised fashion labels.
Historically, there hasn’t been much acceptance of women working on complex codes and developing applications.
This is slowly improving, however, being a woman in the technology industry still comes with unique challenges — and valuable lessons.
To succeed as a woman in coding, it’s essential to continually build and improve your skills to gain more confidence and understanding of the code itself, and its processing. A confident female developer makes a strong impact on the community, inspiring other women to get involved in coding and application development.
Freelance coding has become popular among women in tech, as it’s a flexible career choice that fits around other responsibilities, such as managing a household or everyday life issues. Here are some insights for anyone starting their journey in coding and technology:
Confidence is key
Confidence is crucial in coding. Starting in tech can feel intimidating, especially when you’re in the minority. But confidence grows as you develop your skills. Hands-on projects, open-source contributions, and hackathons are all great ways to put your knowledge into practice. Focus on building your expertise step by step, and let your work speak for itself.
The value of practical experience
While theory is important, tech employers also value practical skills. Internships, freelance work, or personal projects give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned in real-world settings. Documenting these projects, perhaps on GitHub —a developer platform that allows you to create, manage and share codes — demonstrates your commitment and helps you build a portfolio that showcases your skills.
Find mentors and build connections
Having a mentor — preferably a female mentor who understands the unique challenges you face — can make a big difference. These people can offer guidance, feedback, and valuable networking opportunities. Many experienced women in tech are happy to support newcomers, offering career advice and a sense of community. Reach out to industry professionals through events or online platforms like LinkedIn.
Networking and staying motivated
Networking is also important. Attend tech meetups, join online communities like Stack Overflow or Women Who Code, and participate in conferences. Surrounding yourself with inspiring, knowledgeable people will help you stay motivated and up to date.
I remember when I started learning to code with C programming in my undergraduate years. I was one of the best programmers in my university cohort and often helped my fellow students with logic-building, compiler processing, and data structures. I gained a solid understanding of the programming language by reading programming books and applying the example codes in each chapter. This not only boosted my confidence but also added clarity to my concepts whenever the code failed to execute and needed some troubleshooting. I learned about new libraries and tools that made my code run more smoothly. I can say that learning through hands-on application always works wonders.
Advocate for yourself
Don’t hesitate to speak up and claim credit for your work. Advocating for yourself is important. Supporting other women in tech helps create a more inclusive environment. Leading by example helps challenge stereotypes and makes a positive impact on the field.
Keep learning and stay curious
The technology field is always evolving, so continuous learning is an essential requirement. Stay curious and open to exploring new programming languages, tools, or courses. The journey in tech can be tough, but each challenge builds resilience and expertise. Remember, your voice and perspective are valuable in tech, and there’s a place for everyone in the field.
