Meet Natacha Ségala. A self-taught web developer, Natacha has a determination and grit that’s landed her the job she has today. In short - this tale proves that you should never put a limit on what you can do, and never doubt what you can offer. Natacha didn’t. Here’s her #WhereDidYouStart story.
When I moved to London, I figured it was a good time to explore new options. I was not fed up with my previous job (teaching), I just wanted to try and learn something new.
I thought about what I could do, and I started applying to ecommerce and IT related entry level jobs. I did land one - something absolutely non-technical. I began learning to code in my spare time, in part by attending workshops led by non-profit organisations and a whole range of online platforms.
Professionally, I made sure to not overstay my welcome. I hopped along (four jobs in four years!), picking up more tech skills along the way, while pushing the boundaries of my various job descriptions in favour of more tech-based responsibilities. Eventually, I became confident enough that I started applying to pure developer roles, and I now work in the fascinating and exciting world of Virtual Reality!
I don't think I could have done it much quicker, short of going back to uni - which was never an option for me.
Working and learning worked brilliantly for me, and I am thankful to everybody that saw my potential despite my lack of experience.
Today, I am part of the team that maintains and updates the wearvr.com website. We use Javascript and Ruby coupled with frameworks I really love! So yes, I am as satisfied as a mason or craftsperson looking at what’s been built - if that makes sense. I enjoy making people's lives easier and want them to have the best digital experience they can have. That's what I enjoy, paired with the logical challenges and puzzles that come with the job.
If I could go back in time, I would probably advise getting into tech sooner, and being more confident with my skills and what I had to offer. I was shy and thought I might not be good enough, when really that didn't matter. You can always learn. Grit and self-determination is all that matters.
I keep meeting women new to coding and I sense in them what I felt back then. Constant self-doubt and bouts of impostor syndrome. Honestly, we all belong in the tech industry. It needs us. All of us, in our beautiful diversity.
I am still learning and I hope I can stay a junior dev at heart for life - that is, someone who keeps a humble stance and keeps learning. I want to help the industry to be more inclusive, and to pass on what I know.
Have a story to tell that will inspire others to get into digital? Get in touch at [email protected]
