I graduated from the University of Bristol with an English degree and then I spent four years working in recruitment before making a strategic career transition into software development.
I am now a full-stack developer with hands-on experience building web applications using Python, Java, TypeScript, and React.
How did you land your current role? Was it planned?
My path to my current role was quite a journey. Shortly after the pandemic I was questioning whether it was time for a career change and conversations with friends in software development sparked my interest in the field. Having always enjoyed learning languages, I decided to test if those skills would translate to coding, starting with JavaScript on Codecademy. I quickly fell in love with the puzzle-like nature of manipulating syntax to achieve programmatic outcomes.
This initial spark has since propelled me to learn about broader software design and architecture principles. Six months later, I secured my first software engineering role with a consultancy specifically looking to hire career changers. Here I was trained in Python, JavaScript, Docker, and AWS before being deployed to a client project where I built geospatial web applications.
Since then, I have joined Gemba, taking on greater responsibility by leading the planning and development of one of our internal applications.
What does an average work day look like for you?
While a significant part of my day is spent writing code and working on development tickets, my role spans far more than just implementation. I regularly lead meetings with product owners to gather software requirements and showcase new capabilities through live demos.
Beyond development, I handle Jira administration – creating features and managing our Kanban board – and participate in refinement sessions where we map out technical approaches, break down work, and surface potential risks.
I also spend time conducting code reviews and pairing with team members to help unblock tickets whenever needed. I have also had the opportunity to partake in mentorship of one of Gemba’s interns which has been hugely rewarding.
Have you ever faced insecurities and anxieties during your career, and how did you overcome them?
Like many women in traditionally male-dominated industries, I frequently experience imposter syndrome. Coming from a non-traditional background without a computer science degree, it is easy to feel like you will never know as much or be as strong as your colleagues.
For me, the key to mitigating those anxieties has been shifting my mindset to focus on what I have achieved rather than what I don’t know yet. Technology is a vast field where it is impossible to know everything; I’ve found far more value in staying continuously open to learning while honing in on my own specialised interests within the industry and actively building my expertise there.
Entering the world of work can be daunting. Do you have any words of advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed?
My biggest advice is to lean into opportunities to learn, even when they feel intimidating or completely out of your comfort zone. It is also vital to accept that you will make mistakes. For me, those have been the moments where I’ve learned the most, and you will often find that handling them with accountability builds real respect from your peers.
Finally, find your allies! Buddy up with teammates, actively seek help when you need it, and offer support to others in return. Building those strong connections makes the transition far less overwhelming and creates a safety net as you grow.
