Justyna Sarna
QA test analyst (Warsaw, Mazowieckie province)
Until 3 years ago, I was working as a physical therapist, dreaming of entering the world of IT and working remotely. I made the decision to start postgraduate studies and pursue courses I found on the Internet – like those at Girls Code Fun. The result? I found a job and am a QA 🙂 A lot of work behind me and a lot in front of me. These were my best decisions! I’m proud of myself, grateful for the people I met and the people motivating me.
What prompted you to take part in the Girls Code Fun Foundation project?
I wanted to develop myself, gain new competencies and open myself to completely new areas of IT. Girls Code Fun organizes interesting projects that allow you to gain specific skills and learn from experienced people. The most valuable resource today is time, and I chose to spend it at the foundation.
What skills did you gain during the program that you value the most?
I learned the basics of SQL, which gave me a great foundation for further learning. I plan to use it at work in the future. I know it’s a highly valued skill, so I want to continue to grow in that direction.
“You are the only person in the world who can realize your potential.”
Has participation in the program influenced your approach to a career in IT? You changed careers, so we assume it had an impact, and a positive one at that?
Yes, definitely! The Foundation’s projects have shown me how much more I can learn and how many women are developing in IT. It’s very motivating to see how strong we are in this industry. Many stereotypes exist, but it is initiatives like this that show the change that is happening. I made the transition to IT, although I won’t say – I was full of apprehension.
What benefits did your participation in the project bring you – how would you describe it simply?
The biggest success story? New skills and a change of industry just! The program has given me confidence and made me better understand what direction I want to go. Knowledge is constantly changing, there are lots of updates. IT is not a one-time skill – it’s a variable that you have to watch and follow if you want to be attractive on the job market. Thanks to the opportunity to take advantage of the Foundation’s offerings, I discovered that I want to grow in programming. My next step is to learn JavaScript and web writing. One step at a time.
What surprised you the most?
To put it bluntly – the number of women who, like me, decided to change their career path. It’s very motivating to see that IT is open to everyone who wants to learn and grow. Of course, there are companies for which this is not a value, but I emphasize that this makes such Girls Code Fun initiatives all the more invaluable in the market.
Would you like to share advice with other women considering participating in our projects? With women who want to enter IT?
From smartphones to artificial intelligence, technological innovations are permeating every sphere of our lives, making them more convenient and efficient.
And what would you like to achieve in the coming year, given what you have learned so far?
In general, I am fully aware that I still have a lot of learning ahead of me, but I am closer to my goal than I was even a year ago. Development is a process. Therefore, what do I want next year? Reinforce what I already know. To learn new elements of the industry, namely the aforementioned JavaScript. This will be the minimum I want to achieve.
