Aishah Hussain, Software Engineer at Deloitte, reflects on her path into tech.
A decade ago, if someone had predicted I’d be working as a software developer after completing a degree in ancient history, I would have thought they were either lying or had mistaken me for some kind of genius. To reveal the truth, neither was the case, and I still can’t explain why the Roman Empire fell in under five minutes at parties.
I’ve always had a genuine love for video games – not just playing them, but the idea of creating them. I used to spend hours imagining what it would be like to build my own game from scratch. But when it came to choosing a career? I honestly had no idea what I wanted to do.
Software engineering and computer science were not really presented as options during my time at school. It just never crossed my mind. What I did know what that I had a real passion for ancient history, so I followed that interest and committed to it fully.
After university, I joined a graduate scheme in logistics where I dabbled in everything – transport planning, data analytics, project management. That’s where something clicked for me. Who knew that tracking transport routes and optimising delivery schedules would spark an interest in technology. I started noticing inefficiencies in certain processes and thinking, “There has to be a better way to do this.” I wanted to automate repetitive tasks, build tools to streamline workflows, and create solutions that could actually scale. The problem was, I didn’t have the technical skills to make it happen myself.
That’s when I decided to take control and learn. I enrolled in a nanodegree programme, put in the work, and that’s what ultimately landed me my first role as a software engineer.
Here’s what I want you to take away from this: you don’t need a computer science degree to become a software engineer. Does having one make certain things easier? Yes, absolutely. But it doesn’t mean the door is closed if you didn’t choose that path from the start. That’s simply not true – and frankly, my ancient history degree proves that career paths can be flexible than we think.
What you do need is passion, the passion to drive your own career forward and the willingness to learn. I have worked alongside many brilliant engineers who do not have computer science degrees, and they’re genuinely exceptional at what they do. Their skills and dedication speak volumes, and honestly, some of them make me wonder, would I ever be like them and be inspirational to others? I hope so.
If you are reading this and thinking, “I’d like to give coding a try,” I encourage you to go for it. The opportunity is there for you too. Just remember this: don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone’s journey is their own, and each year brings new growth and possibilities. Some people discover their calling is at 18, others at 27, and some people are still discovering it out at 48. All of these paths are valid.
Looking back, I’ve realised you don’t need to have everything figured out from the beginning. Sometimes the most fulfilling career paths are the ones that wind unexpectedly – and that’s perfectly ok.
And here is the full circle moment that still makes me smile. I used to dream of making video games, and now I have got the foundational skills and logic to do exactly that if I want to pursue it as a hobby. Sometimes the long way around is exactly the right path.