Before joining CodeYourFuture (CYF), Christina worked as a graphic designer, but had always been fascinated by coding and its creative potential.
“I initially saw a career in coding as out of reach since I didn’t have a traditional mathematics or computer science background. I doubted whether I had the right background to succeed.”
Despite these early doubts, Christina was intrigued at the opportunity of a career with creative and technical challenges, which could also break barriers. As she explains, “A career change was important to me because I wanted to create meaningful applications while also helping to diversify the tech industry, especially by inspiring other women to enter a traditionally male-dominated field.”
Excited by the challenge, Christina decided to join the CYF trainee programme in Scotland and hasn’t looked back since.
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Throughout her training with CYF, Christina learned that consistency really is key.
“Even small daily progress adds up significantly over time. A mentor’s advice really resonated with me: ‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint.’ Everyone’s journey is different, and it’s important to be kind to yourself whilst maintaining determination.”
But a journey with CYF isn’t taken alone. A tactic that Christina found helpful in her studies was forming groups with her peers. “Not only did we learn tremendously from each other, but the setting made it easier for everyone to ask questions that they might have not felt comfortable to raise in front of the whole class. These peer learning sessions became an invaluable part of my journey.”
Christina discovered that working with others was an important part of her journey at CYF.
Volunteers also played a huge part in Christina’s story. “They were incredible mentors. They not only taught us coding but also guided us on soft skills, giving us practical tips on tackling the arduous job hunt, preparing CVs, and practicing for interviews, learning how to market yourself, turning weak points into selling points,” she says.
“The moment I received my job offer as a developer was unforgettable.”
A moment that stands out for Christina? When she received that coveted job offer as a developer! “It was a mix of pride, relief, and gratitude. It felt surreal to realise that all the late nights, challenges, and sacrifices had culminated in achieving what I’d set out to do.”
The course has also completely shifted Christina’s mindset on learning. “I’ve developed a much healthier relationship with the unknown. I now see it as an opportunity to learn, rather than a limitation. My approach to problem-solving has evolved; instead of getting frustrated when code doesn’t work immediately (it rarely does), I now break down problems and celebrate small progress – like getting a different error. This mindset shift has made debugging less intimidating and reinforced my confidence in continuous learning.”
What words of encouragement does Christina offer someone who is considering joining CYF?
“Do it”, she says. “While it requires discipline and commitment, the programme works if you fully engage with it. You’ll meet incredible people who become your support system through the challenges.”
And finally, don’t let your background dissuade you from making the switch. “Working as a professional developer, I’ve met many successful colleagues from non-traditional computer science backgrounds who bring unique perspectives and are some of the most insightful and dedicated developers.”
If you’re interested in embarking on a career in coding and would like to find out more about the free coding programmes at CodeYourFuture, click here
Christina presenting a project with her team – another key milestone on her path to getting a job as a developer.