Katie Hughes

Job:

Trainee software developer

Company:

Code Nation

I'm a trainee software developer, currently studying at Code Nation. I'm learning full-stack web development, using technologies such as React JS for the frontend, and MongoDB, Express and Node.js for the backend. I have been making lots of different apps - some on my own and some in a team.

I am...

Ambitious

Creative

Compassionate

The skills I use most in my job...

Javascript (React and Node.js)

CSS for design

Problem solving

Team working

The most interesting thing I've worked on in my career so far...

I'm currently completing my final project, which is an app called The Travel Detective. Users are able to search for holiday locations based on their preferred hobby, interest or price range, and the app will curate holiday suggestions for them. It's been challenging but extremely rewarding at the same time!

What inspired me into digital and tech...

A few months ago, I was introduced to coding through an app called Sonic Pi. I use this to make music using the programming language Ruby. This was the eureka moment when I realised that I could put my creativity to good use through tech!

My educational background is...

I studied French and Spanish at university, which at first glance seems a bit far-fetched from tech. However, there are lots of similarities between learning languages and Javascript - they do call JS a "programming language", after all! I was also really into art at school, which helps with design.

What advice I'd give to girls thinking about a career in digital and tech...

Don’t let people tell you that you need to be good at maths to do programming as a career. Sure, it definitely helps, but creativity and empathy are incredibly important as well! We are making user-focused technology, so putting yourself in the user’s shoes is a must.