I’m a software developer who enjoys learning new things, solving problems and taking on challenges. My journey into technology has involved a mixture of formal study, an apprenticeship with the MOD, personal projects and working on real-world applications.
Along the way, I’ve developed experience across both frontend and backend development, as well as an interest in design, accessibility and creating user-friendly experiences.
I’m still early in my career, so I’m constantly learning and finding new areas of technology that interest me. I’m particularly interested in frontend development, design and accessibility, and I enjoy creating applications that are not only functional but also intuitive and accessible to a wide range of users.
How did you land your current role? Was it planned?
It definitely wasn’t a completely planned path! I studied Computer Science at GCSE, but I didn’t particularly enjoy it at the time as we were learning Visual Basic. It wasn’t until I started building my own React application in my spare time that I discovered how much I actually enjoyed software development. I loved being able to create something myself and see it come to life, which made me want to learn more.
I then applied for a software development apprenticeship through the MOD website. The apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to gain practical experience while also completing my Bachelor’s degree in Technical Solutions. It was a great way to develop my technical skills while learning how software development works in a professional environment.
After completing my apprenticeship, I came across my current Junior Software Engineer role at Gemba, on LinkedIn, while looking for my next opportunity. The role stood out to me, so I applied and went through the interview process before being offered the position. I’m now 43 days into my new role and really enjoying the opportunity to continue learning and developing. Looking back, my route into software development wasn’t something I had planned from the beginning, but each opportunity has led naturally to the next.
What are you most proud of in your career, so far?
I’m most proud of the hard work I put into my degree apprenticeship and how much I developed throughout it. One achievement I’m particularly proud of is the full-stack Flask and React application I built independently. It was the first application I had created completely on my own and was a fairly sophisticated IT ticketing system, including a login system, validation and other security measures. Seeing something I had designed and built myself come together was a really rewarding experience.
I’m also incredibly proud of getting my current position as a Junior Software Engineer with Gemba.
Starting at a new company can be daunting, but everyone has made me feel so welcome and like I genuinely have a place here. That has meant a lot to me, especially because there have been times in the past when I’ve doubted whether I was good enough to be a software engineer.
I think that’s what I’m most proud of – not just the things I’ve built, but the confidence I’ve gained along the way. I’m learning to recognise that I do belong in this industry and that I don’t have to know everything to be a good software engineer.
Any advice for women wanting to reach their career goals in technology?
My biggest piece of advice would be not to let self-doubt convince you that you don’t belong. I’ve definitely had times where I’ve questioned whether I was good enough to be a software engineer, but I’ve learned that you don’t have to know everything or be the most experienced person in the room to have a place in technology.
There is always something new to learn, and asking questions is part of that process.I’d also encourage women to take opportunities even when they don’t feel completely ready for them. Some of my biggest learning experiences have come from stepping outside of my comfort zone and working with things I hadn’t used before. You learn so much by giving something a go, making mistakes and figuring things out along the way.
Most importantly, don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s. Technology is a huge industry with so many different paths, and there isn’t one right way to build a career. Be proud of the progress you make, keep learning and remember that you deserve to be where you are.
