I started as a Dev Academy student at Solita after 10 months experience in the industry.
My journey into the tech world wasn’t the most conventional one. After three unsuccessful law school attempts, I changed directions. I became interested in technology, but I had to improve my high school certificate grades before starting this quest. I studied intensely for six months, managed to improve my grades, and was accepted to study Computer Science at the University of Oulu in 2021.
During my first year of studies, another unexpected turn occurred. I scored my first tech job in an unusual setting – a badminton dressing room on December 23rd! As I casually talked about my coding plans for Christmas to a friend, a stranger overheard and suggested applying for a job at his company. This stranger turned out to be one of the founders, and the courage to follow up later in January led me to my first tech industry internship.
Working in the industry piqued my interest in organizational dynamics. I wanted to learn more about business and organizations, so I redirected my studies and switched to Industrial Engineering and Management.
Inspired by my growth, I decided to apply to Solita’s Dev Academy. I had heard positive things about Solita, they had interesting projects and provided promising career opportunities. I also heard that it was possible to work part-time at Solita, which was a big attraction for me as a student. Completing the assessment project during the application process also seemed like a promising way to acquire new credentials and knowledge.
Fast forward to March 2023, I embarked on an intense 6-week study period at Dev Academy, accompanied by a dynamic group of 12 individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Expanding my professional skills at Dev Academy
The experience was eye-opening! Despite thinking I knew a lot, the program delved deeper, expanding my knowledge. Collaborative learning, engaging discussions, and an immersive two-day workshop in Helsinki made the experience unforgettable.
One of the most challenging parts was mastering a new coding language, Clojure, which isn’t the most common language. Initially, it felt like I wasn’t making any progress and I felt a bit frustrated. But with perseverance and the support of my mentor, I overcame the hurdle and Now I feel quite confident with the language.
Besides coding skills, the program also improved my collaboration and consulting skills. I also got broader knowledge and understanding of the industry.
