Programming – once an abstraction, now a passion and the future

Anna Koziara

High school student, graduate of STEAM Academy (Piastow, Mazowieckie province).

From a young age I was fascinated by math and computer science, so I applied to the STEAM Academy program. And it was with Girls Code Fun that I discovered my greatest passion – programming. I take part in competitions and do my own projects that allow me to put my knowledge into practice. My goal? To study computer science and work in IT, where I will combine my passion for math and technology. I look forward to the next challenges.

You are a young and ambitious STEAM Academy graduate – a high school student. What do you want to do after school?

I am currently developing a passion for mathematics and computer science. I create projects and scientific papers. And the ultimate goal? I want to become a data analyst in a global technology corporation. Such a goal accompanies me.

What skills did you gain from the project?

I learned the back-end and front-end at. I created my first website, which gave me a lot of satisfaction. After completing the STEAM Academy project, I deepened my knowledge by creating more templates in HTML and CSS, which I had the opportunity to use in my ongoing projects. I caught the bug and simply practiced what I learned. Without repetition and dedication of time, we will not achieve results.

What motivated you to study on weekends? Was it a challenge?

I was motivated by my goal and the dreams I had created for myself. During the week, school and extracurricular activities on the weekends, learning first thing in the morning? Yes, it was a challenge. The project tasks and the pace of work were definitely the biggest challenges. A big thank you to the mentors, who were supportive and strongly inspiring.

Your biggest success in relation to your participation in the project?

Using the techniques I learned to implement my own projects. It was easier for me to understand certain mechanisms because I already knew how it was created “from the inside.” I also realized that programming is definitely a huge passion of mine with which I associate my future. New technologies turned from an unfamiliar subject into my huge interest and hobby.

From the perspective of a teenager, how do you evaluate the cooperation with a mentor – a slightly older and much more experienced person? Was it a valuable relationship?

I had concerns at the beginning, but they were quickly dispelled. Women in the IT world are still a minority, making some young girls think: “Are you sure I’m good enough? Am I fit for this?”. I, too, have asked myself such questions. My mentor made me realize that I am capable of tremendous things, and if I only want to, I will achieve the goals I set. Mentoring has made me believe in my abilities, and in moments of doubt I know how to “get back to shore” and start thinking rationally.

What are your plans for the future? Educational, professional…

My goal now is to study computer science. Right after the STEAM Academy project, I started to get involved in numerous activities. I worked on a prototype of an anti-food waste app and a technology startup. In addition, I completed several courses in robotics, which recently turned out to be my new interest. In this way, I continue my passion for IT. There are a whole lot of areas of digital skills – I know this and I am open to them. In the coming year, I will focus on developing my programming skills and write my own application.