Country of origin
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Which company do you work for?
Hooligan Development
What is your specific area of specialisation?
Frontend Developer
How long have you been in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) fields?
3.5 years
As a woman in a male dominated industry, what has been the biggest challenge you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
From my personal experience the biggest challenge would be people underestimating my abilities and not taking me seriously. It is common that sometimes women must work a bit harder and speak a bit louder to prove themselves. Especially when they just start out. I can say that being a self-taught developer and a woman definitely wasn’t the easiest path. It did take a lot of persistence and determination to get where I am today, being confident and 100% comfortable doing what I do. The best way to overcome it, is not to doubt yourself and never be afraid to make mistakes and take risks.
What inspired you to join this industry?
My biggest passion in life is creating things, it is something I have enjoyed since I was a child. Also, I’ve always enjoyed problem solving and it was something I naturally good at. After trying out coding just for fun I realised it is a combination of those two things. Doing something I enjoyed but also something I was good at seemed like the dream job.
What changes, if any, have you seen in your field with regards to women in your field?
I believe that there is progress and that companies are more open to hiring women.
How can we attract more women to consider a career in the STEM fields?
Promoting opportunities and inspiring women to join the industry early on by partnering with schools and universities. Also, during the interview process, it is vital to give candidates an insight into the company culture. It’s important to see other women working for the business so you know you won’t be singled out.
If you were to advise other young women starting their careers in the tech or within the STEM fields, what is the one thing you would say to them?
Start out with a positive attitude and a positive mindset. But also focus on the positive experiences and not the negative.
When not working, what do you do for fun?
In my free time I really enjoy hiking and doing yoga. But also spending time with my friends over the weekend.
