While the gender gap in IT is indeed narrowing, women in tech still have a long way to go in terms of equal representation, particularly in leadership positions. This is why devmio wants to give inspiring women the opportunity to introduce themselves and share their stories about why they chose a career in technology.

Every Wednesday, devmio celebrates women in the tech world. This week, we bring you Sabina Stanojevic, Software Engineering Apprentice at Barclays Investment Bank.

Today’s Woman in Tech: Sabina Stanojevic, Software Engineering Apprentice at Barclays Investment Bank.

Sabina Stanojevic is on her way to becoming a software engineer, but she began her career in a completely different field. Her story is anything but ordinary, and she is a true inspiration to anyone looking to learn the tech skills and hit the IT job market.

You certainly have an interesting story about how you ended up in tech. Could you tell our readers about your career path and what first got you interested in technology?

I think I had the weirdest career change. And I never actually planned it. I went from being a flight attendant to a failed wannabe in aviation management, a failed wannabe manager in the hospitality industry, a failed wannabe in the luxury real estate field, to becoming a software engineer.

In 2019, I left my well-paid job and Instagram lifestyle as a cabin crew for the world's best airline to pursue my dream of earning an MBA at one of Switzerland's top universities. If only I'd known my dream would be shattered into 100 pieces.

In 2020, I ended up back in my home country of Croatia, with zero job offers and a huge five-figure loan that I couldn’t even begin to repay. Living off government support and never hearing back from that university again. I've tried everything from freelancing for $30 to starting various types of freelance online "businesses." While the hospitality industry was falling apart, the tech industry was booming. So, I started thinking of finding an opportunity in the technology industry.

After applying for everything from tech marketing jobs to customer success manager positions, I would always get a "thank you, but we've decided to go with another candidate" email. In 2021, I got my first job in tech. Finally! However, the company went bankrupt a few months later.

Luckily, I had left just beforehand. This was the point at which I could finally say aloud, "F*** my life." Little did I know that a single LinkedIn post would completely change my life.

I ended up being accepted into an apprenticeship programme to become a software engineer, and I moved to Prague. Here came the realisation that none of my three university degrees were even remotely relevant. That I was starting from scratch at the age of 30, on an apprentice salary. But I was also given a golden opportunity to learn a skill set that will provide me with security and income, so that I will never again feel undervalued, underpaid, hopeless, or jobless. If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be on my way to becoming a software engineer with no standard background in the field, no CS degree, or having completed an expensive boot camp, I would have laughed. I would have probably thought it was a joke. But this is now my reality.

What does your typical workday look like?

As I am currently enrolled in an apprenticeship programme, my typical workday consists of 90% learning. I start each day with administrative tasks such as going through new emails and responding to colleagues on DMs if someone needs me. After that, we have a daily standup call where each team member provides a status update and shares any roadblocks. Following that, I start working on my tasks, which can include real-world development tasks, learning a programming language, algorithms, and data structures, or researching an IT topic of interest. Nevertheless, my daily plan often changes and it's important that I adapt. It happens that there are some technical issues or requests to be raised or chased. Working on the tasks is an ongoing learning process. Often, I go through different learning materials — books, video tutorials on the Pluralsight platform, Google, and ask colleagues for help or clarification. It does feel like being an eternal student. But if you are a person who likes learning and growing, that is a plus.

I come from a non-technical background, but I can strongly say that I stand out with my soft skills and communication.

What are some essentials in your toolkit for success?

It is crucial to have the right mindset and a support system. For me, it's mostly my partner who supports and motivates me on difficult days. I also have the support and mentoring of my colleagues at Barclays. In addition to that, I think that mental health is an extremely important topic. And I am not afraid to say out loud that my therapist is helping me a lot in this huge career, or should I say life change. Career change is really an emotional rollercoaster. I mean, going all in with zero technical background and knowledge about IT directly into becoming a software engineer. Plus, I do want to remove all my bugs and so-called trauma to grow and become the best version of myself. I know that will also help me in my personal and professional development as I strive to achieve all of my high ambitions.

How do you keep up to date with the latest trends in your field?

Except for my learning materials and the Pluralsight platform where we have access to tons of video tutorials, I follow and connect with other software engineers on LinkedIn, and I read their posts if they are content creators sharing their knowledge. Also, I reach out to more senior engineers and leaders in the tech industry via LinkedIn for advice. You'd be surprised at how willing they are to reply and even have a chat or call you. If they notice your enthusiasm and drive. I often check the topics that I want to learn more about on YouTube. Plus, at Barclays, we have coaching and mentoring sessions which I always like to attend. In addition, I will be attending a live event in Prague in November. I signed up for a virtual technology session led by companies such as Microsoft through LinkedIn. These are excellent networking opportunities. Which, in my opinion, is crucial for any industry and career growth.

What do you think makes you good at what you do?

I like to constantly learn and grow. The tech industry requires constant learning. I come from a non-technical background, but I can strongly say that I stand out with my soft skills and communication. I know that once I master the technical part, I will be able to go to the top in my career. Having the right attitude, confidence, huge ambitions, and balls, but staying humble are my strengths.

We need to change the mindset of those in positions of authority that just because you don't have a CS degree doesn't mean you can't be good in tech.

What motivates you on not-so-productive days?

Knowing that there are no shortcuts in life. I was given this opportunity, and the path is and will be difficult. But it's worth it. I've already come a long way in the last year and a half. My greatest motivator comes from remembering how, in 2020-2021, after finishing my MBA in Switzerland, I ended up back in my home country of Croatia, destitute, with a five-figure student loan and no jobs. I believe that the fact that, even though I am still on the apprenticeship programme, I am being contacted by recruiters from top companies and tech giants, which I never thought was possible, is a sufficient motivator. In addition, I have the luxury of working from home, which I enjoy, and I can network with great and successful people in the industry.

Who are some of your role models?

I can't say I have a particular role model. Plus, I don't agree with wanting to be someone else. Every one of us is a unique individual with the opportunity to create our own path. Anyone who has been disappointed in life, has fallen, learned from the experience, and has had to get back on their feet, and who is willing to grow and start over deserves my and everyone else's respect. These are the motivators, the changemakers, and true leaders.

How can the industry help support and retain women in tech?

First and foremost, women in this industry must have thick skin. And they must have the guts to fight for themselves. No one else is going to do it. When I say that I work for an investment bank and in the IT sector I often hear: “good luck.” It's a man's world. We need to change the mindset of those in positions of authority that just because you don't have a CS degree doesn't mean you can't be good in tech. There are many online learning options, boot camps, and apprenticeships available today. I still feel that women must fight twice as hard to gain respect from their peers and more experienced colleagues. To prove we are more than just a pretty face and that we can be industry leaders. In any industry, women's salaries are unfortunately unequal to men's. If you decide to have a family and take maternity leave, you will fall behind and may miss out on a career promotion. However, these are unfortunately beyond an individual's control. Companies should work on it, and I'm glad to see they've already started.

Every one of us is a unique individual with the opportunity to create our own path.

What was the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your professional career and how did you overcome it?

I had to learn to stop putting pressure on myself and stop comparing myself to more senior colleagues. Also, I had to learn how to adapt and communicate in the IT sector. It was easier for me when I worked in the hospitality industry because more people have good communication and soft skills. At least, that's how it should be. In IT, it's different. You could have the best programmer with extensive technical knowledge, but you wouldn't want this person anywhere near people. I often have to remind people that I am an apprentice and ask for better wording and explanation. Everyone seems to think I'm already an expert, so it's important to remind them and say out loud "I don't understand" or "what does that abbreviation mean?" The problem is that people just don't know how to communicate with one another. And they think if they know something in their own head, everyone else must as well.

What tech topic would you like to learn more about?

As I am a backend engineer, I would like to learn and grasp frontend development (React is quite popular nowadays). I am also interested in learning about machine learning and AI. I believe there is a huge opportunity to change the world through the use of technology.

What advice would you like to give women looking to start their careers in tech?

Just go for it! I felt like an idiot and sucked at maths my whole life, hated anything related to finance and numbers. I had weak problem-solving skills and was never tech-savvy. I've learned that no one is an idiot for anything; just probably never had a good teacher or mentor to awaken interest in the matter and show the path to learn it. I found great mentors to help me learn problem-solving, algorithms, and programming, and I ended up working in the technology department of the world's largest investment bank. My story is the best example of how you can transform your main weaknesses into a strength. Hard work and persistence beat all the natural talent in the world. If I was able to do it, so can any other woman.