Hi Fatimoh - thanks for chatting to us! Can you start by telling us what a typical working day looks like for you?

As a Software Engineer and my typical working day is both fun and challenging.

I start work at 9am and end the day at 5:30pm with an hour lunch break.

I attend my team’s daily stand-up meeting where we discuss the tasks we did the previous day and what we will be doing for the day. It’s always fun because we also talk about general issues ranging from food to travelling.

The challenging part of software development is the unpredictability of the outcome of your code. Just when you think you have a hangover on a code, a bug comes up and the cycle continues. 

Nightmare! Something a lot of our readers can relate with I'm sure! Beyond the challenges, what are some of the highlights of the role for you?

I enjoy the flexibility of working from home as a software developer. As a mother of 3 children under 10, I find it makes it easier to manage work-life balance. 

But my favourite thing about my role is the uniqueness of each day – every day comes with different challenges and keep learning: I don’t like routine activities.

Coding helps you to think outside the box and to be resilient. You hone your problem-solving skills when you search for solutions to a code you are stuck on.

Love that. Can you tell us how you first got started in the role?

I studied History and International Studies for my bachelors and masters. But when I relocated to the UK with my family in 2018, I wanted to do something different.

I considered a career in teaching, but I preferred a more generic subject. So, I opted for Mathematics.

I enrolled into the Birmingham Adult Education Service (BAES) to prepare for GCSE Mathematics. The COVID-19 disruption affected my studies but I eventually passed the exam.

While doing that, I came across an advert for coding training by CodeYourFuture (CYF). With the encouragement of my husband, I applied and was accepted. That was how my journey into the tech world began.

At CYF, I was trained on software development on a 9 month programme, and almost immediately after graduation, I got a job as a software engineer at Capgemini UK. 

That's amazing! What would you say is next for you? Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

I would like to be a manager leading a team of software engineers to provide innovative solutions in a rapidly changing business environment.

To achieve this, I am learning new programming languages and taking on more challenges. Also, I am enhancing my soft skills such as leadership and communication skills.

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?

No, I am glad about the way everything turned out. Although at some point, it became really overwhelming, having to combine studying Mathematics with coding and family.

In between all that, I also had a baby!

But thanks to the support from my husband, friends and the coordinators of the programme, it was all worth it.  

And is there anything you wish you'd have known before starting your career?

Not really. I was lucky to have mentors and supporters guiding me throughout my journey.

During my training in CYF, a friend’s husband would give us tutorials on programming and help with assignments. He would say “by the time you get employed, I hope you will remember me” and I would think “no way! I am not going to get employed with these skills!”

But as faith would have it, here I am today. Whenever I look back, I thank God for the resilience and all the support I received. 

Something that crops up a lot amongst our members is imposter syndrome. Is this something you're familiar with?

Yes, imposter syndrome is real and sometimes it gets a good part of me.

Thankfully, I can discuss it with my husband and my career mentor who encourage and motivate me. 

It is important to be open about any struggles and to seek help. One of the ways I overcame my syndrome was to keep learning and improving my skills, thereby giving me a sense of satisfaction. 

Thanks for sharing that Fatimoh! Do you have any final words of wisdom for our readers, especially those who are starting out their tech career?

First, be consistent and persistent. Learning a new thing can sometimes be hard, do not give up. 

Second, seek help. Most training programmes provide volunteers that are usually ready and willing to support you.

Third, focus on learning and acquire as much knowledge as you can. Many people come into the tech industry with the intention of earning better salaries. But when the desired job does not come as fast as they had hoped, frustration sets in. Pursue excellence, and success will follow.

Lastly, take care of your inmental health. It has never been more important than now. 

CodeYourFuture is looking for new volunteers to support its next cohort! Find out more here