1) Can you please introduce yourself and give an insight into your background?
Before learning to code I was a paralegal in a Patent Law Firm in Osaka, Japan for 6 years. My husband got a job in Berlin in June 2018 so we decided to move to Berlin. When I moved here, I didn’t plan on going into tech, it happened by coincidence actually.
While I was thinking about how to start building my career in Europe as a paralegal, I realised that I was unconsciously shutting new opportunities. I was too focused on wanting to pursue a career as a paralegal in Germany and didn’t look at the endless opportunities around me. And when I say I got into tech by accident, I mean it!
I also got to meet female Le Wagon alumni who were leading the workshop and found it inspiring to speak with them and getting insight about the roles of women in tech.
2) What made you decide to attend a Le Wagon bootcamp?
In November 2018, I decided to go to a
Women’s Coding Day that Le Wagon Berlin organises. I was just curious to find more about the topic of coding and did not plan on doing the course. But during the day something changed. I met other female participants at the workshop who were facing similar challenges as me. I also got to meet female Le Wagon alumni who were leading the workshop and found it inspiring to speak with them and getting insight about the roles of women in tech. When I got home that day, I researched about coding bootcamps, spoke to some people who were already in the industry… and decided to apply to the bootcamp!
Seeing the endless possibilities in tech, gave me the last push to apply at Le Wagon with confidence. You don’t have to be in a specific place if you are in the industry. You can do your job wherever you choose to live since it is a universal language.
The fact that I can combine my knowledge in law and use it as an advantage to my new job is fantastic!
Furthermore, the fact that I can combine my knowledge in law and use it as an advantage to my new job is fantastic! As mentioned, I used to work in a Patent Law firm for 6 years meaning that I have gained a lot of knowledge about how Patents work. I now create systems or apps for the Patent application processes, deadline management etc… because I know what users want since I used to be the user. I can now combine that knowledge in law with tech.
3) Can you tell us about your experiences at Le Wagon? Were there any specific aspects of the program that stood out to you?
In terms of ambitions and expectations – I didn’t have a big expectation back then because I knew too little about tech. I didn’t even have a clue what I should be aiming for, which scared me at first because I knew it would be challenging for me. What kept me going was, even though I was completely exhausted, I knew that everyday I learned and understood more than the day before. I really saw progress during the whole process. I struggled a lot and almost wanted to quit, but whenever I figured the concept out, it felt like the world is brighter and I could do anything!
I received a job offer as a Junior Ruby Backend Developer two months after graduating from Le Wagon.
4) What did you di after the bootcamp?
I received a job offer as a Junior Ruby Backend Developer two months after graduating from Le Wagon. Like I said earlier, NEVER GIVE UP! There is always a solution. You sometimes feel like you have no clue how to solve it. So far, there is nothing I couldn’t solve. Of course sometimes it takes weeks to solve it. The key is to be patient, optimistic and keep trying. But most importantly, you got to enjoy it!
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