Lucy Donnelly
Job:
Trainee Software Developer
Company:
I'm currently studying to become a full-stack developer with Code Nation, an intensive coding bootcamp in Manchester. This involves...well, a lot! We work on group and individual projects, using JavaScript/React/Python/Django, that can be anything from making a living, breathing cyberpet (Ok...not quite breathing but not far off!) to developing a volunteer connection app.
I am...
Enthusiastic
Diligent
Empathetic
The skills I use most in my job...
JavaScript
Python
Teamwork
Problem-solving
The most interesting thing I've worked on in my career so far...
I'm still pretty new to software development but my favourite project so far has been using Python and Django to create a web app detailing unexplained events/phenomena. The user can filter incidents by location, date etc. and read about the circumstances of the event. I have to say everyday is pretty interesting because I'm always learning something new. The best bit is when something clicks, or you solve a problem after struggling for days and you get that 'Aha!' moment.
What inspired me into digital and tech...
I spent my youth making Buffy the Vampire Slayer fansites and attempting to do a bit of graphic design on photoshop - that's pretty much where it all started! Computers, problem-solving and 'how things work' have always interested me, but I was never the quickest learner, or naturally good at maths/science. This pretty much put me off a career in tech at school and I ventured down a different path. However, my interest never went away, and I was lucky enough to be awarded a scholarship from Digital Her to study programming. I love learning and this fits in pretty well with the tech industry, where new concepts and tools are constantly being developed.
My educational background is...
I studied Medieval History at university before going on to a career in HR. Not the most typical path to tech, but that's where Digital Her came in! I'd always been interested in working in technology and when a scholarship opportunity to study programming was advertised I jumped at the chance.
What advice I'd give to girls thinking about a career in digital and tech...
Don't hold yourself back because you're not good at maths! There is such a great variety of positions available in tech that anything is possible! I would also say don't be afraid to struggle. Programming IS challenging, and it doesn't always come easily to everyone. You have to persist and keep going - problems aren't always solved in 5 minutes. It can takes hours, days, or even longer but that's a key part of the learning process. If you're not good at something straight away, it doesn't mean you can't do it - you just need a bit more practice.
