Java Coder & Aspiring Engineer

We can all learn from each other at every stage in our life, so this week I've interviewed Antonella, a computer science student with the passion for programming that is necessary to succeed!

​1) What was the first thing that peaked your interest in programming?​
I got into programing when I was about 12 years old, when I started my first blog. I was very interested in art and design and I wasn't happy with the templates available, so started tweaking stuff. But it didn't really stick until my early twenties when my brother went into computer science and my interest for programming came rushing back.

2) What was the first language you wrote in and what did you write?
My first solid project that I worked on was a photography portfolio site mockup using JavaScript. I remember it was so much fun creating that and seeing it all come together!

3) Who is your biggest inspiration in programming?
My little brother, definitely! Watching his journey into programming and everything he has achieved so far is tremendously inspiring to me.

4) Any advice for women wishing to get into the field?
I have three pieces of advice that I can think of right now for women entering the tech field:

• Don't listen to anyone that undermines your capabilities based on your gender. Distance yourself from people like that if possible, and immerse yourself in a supportive community of women who lift each other up. A wonderful place where I have found this is the Instagram coding community. There are so many smart, strong and kind women programmers there and women who are learning to code just like me. They inspire me daily to keep working hard.
  
• Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you get stuck or don't understand something, ask questions online or to peers. Be curious about the world and how things work and question things that you come across. Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn't mean it has to be done that way next time.
• Come in and break stereotypes! Thats exactly what we need. Don't feel like you have to change who you are in order to become a programmer, or give up your wardrobe and look a certain way, give up on your other interests etc. Don't give up on who you are in order to become who you think you need to be to enter the tech world.
  

You can follow Antoella's inspiring journey on Instagram.