Our 2023 H2 software engineers

Techtonica’s 2023 H2 full-time software engineering cohort

Please join us in welcoming the 2023 H2 cohort of software engineers in training by reading about each of them and registering for their launch celebration!

Ariel (she/her)

1) Tell us a little about your life
I was born in Jamaica and raised on the island of Providenciales in the country of Turks and Caicos Islands. I grew up in a dysfunctional household; and my only escape was finding a creative outlet. My outlet at that time was music. I played the piano, and I was a part of a singing group. I moved to Georgia in 2019 and finished my last year of high school here. During high school, I did customer service and healthcare jobs as I enjoy connecting with and helping others. Moving here did help me discover and see many opportunities that were not available to me back home, so I’m elated that I took that leap of faith.

2) What made you decide to pursue a software engineering career and apply for Techtonica?
After completing high school, I was so unsure of what career I wanted to pursue. I just knew that I loved solving problems and helping people. After taking an “Introduction to Computer Science” course at my local community college, I just had a yearning and curiosity to learn more. I looked for resources and opportunities and stumbled across a Techtonica Alumni’s video detailing what Techtonica was all about. After learning all I could about this amazing program, from the inclusivity to the resources and support, it was a no-brainer, I had to apply and put my best foot forward. I’m so happy that I did and that I get to be a part of this process and community.

3) What are you most excited to learn while at Techtonica?
I’m most excited about continuing to collaborate with my peers. It has helped me to learn new concepts and build life-long connections. I also would love to learn more about JavaScript stacks and how they work together.

4) What do you want to contribute to or change about the tech industry?
I want to impact the tech industry by creating better access to tech education for tweens and teens from underrepresented and marginalized communities. Younger Ariel would have been so thrilled to have found out about and have access to tech and tech resources sooner. Providing tech education, early on I think, will make a big impact on job diversity and inclusion in the future. I also want to contribute to bettering privacy and access to personal data through technology.

5) What’s your dream project?
My dream project would be to create an app that runs in conjunction with everyday applications that make life easier for us; designed for people with disabilities. Many businesses create apps that lack accessibility for people with disabilities, and I want to change that. Things as simple as ordering food on the Popeyes app or ordering shoes on Amazon would be made easier for those in need, using my app. Ideally the app will be controlled by voice, braille keyboard (with custom gestures), sign language (using the front facing camera with custom gestures) e.g (user will be able to find a shoe, add it to their cart and check it out all done by using sign language) and I’m open to any other functionality methods that can make apps more accessible. I would love to partner with restaurants and business establishments who have apps that need to be made more accessible for the disabled community.

Beyza (she/her)

1) Tell us a little about your life.
I was born and raised in Turkey. I moved to this country 2 years ago. Before that, I studied civil engineering in college, completed all the courses for my master’s degree, and worked for 1 year as a structural engineer.
I have a deep passion for tennis. Playing tennis brings me immense joy and fulfillment, and I feel a sense of personal growth as I see myself progressing on the tennis court.

2) What made you decide to pursue a software engineering career and apply for Techtonica?
During my master’s studies, I had an assignment that required me to use Excel to perform complex calculations that were all interconnected. When I changed a number in a formula, all other results were changed automatically. This experience made me curious about the software behind it and sparked my interest in coding.
After moving to the US, I studied coding at home. But it was hard to get ahead alone, and I lacked guidance in programming and struggled to find opportunities to gain practical experience. So I decided to apply for Techtonica.

3) What are you most excited to learn while at Techtonica?
Along the time that I worked on coding at home, I was able to do things that are accessible only from my computer. I’m excited to learn how to code a web-based project that can be used by people all around the world.

4) What do you want to contribute to or change about the tech industry?
I want to make a positive impact on the tech industry in terms of diversity and inclusion. I believe that everyone, regardless of their background, should have equal opportunities in technology. I want to support and mentor individuals from diverse backgrounds, helping them succeed in their tech careers. I also want to encourage companies to create inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and respected. By working together with others who share the same goals, we can make the tech industry more welcoming and fair for everyone. Ultimately, I hope to inspire others to embrace diversity and create a better future for all in the tech world.

5) What’s your dream project?
My dream project is to create a community website where project-based learners can come together to share their ideas, provide feedback, and exchange resources. As someone who has experienced the challenges of being self-taught, I understand how difficult it can be to find suitable projects or make progress on them. I strongly believe in the power of community, and I aim to develop a website that includes pseudocodes to assist new learners and challenges so that they can compete with each other to inspire their growth and learning.

Cathy (she/her)

1) Tell us a little about your life.
I was born and raised in Southern California, where I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by diverse cultures and traditions. As a first-generation Vietnamese-American, I am proud of my heritage and the unique blend of American and Vietnamese influences that have shaped my identity. After graduating from college, I spent most of my career working in the non-profit sector. However, I embarked on a new journey last year and started learning how to code. In my free time, I love spending quality time with my family and friends, running, watching new shows, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

2) What made you decide to pursue a software engineering career and apply for Techtonica?
What inspired me to pursue a career in software engineering was the potential to solve real-world problems using technology. I was drawn to the analytical and logical thinking required in software engineering, as well as the creative aspect involved. I applied to Techtonica because Techtonica’s mission to empower women and non-binary individuals in the tech industry resonated with me. I am excited to expand my knowledge and skills through Techtonica’s program!

3) What are you most excited to learn while at Techtonica?
While self-studying, I spent a lot of time learning front-end development. For that reason, I am also excited to expand my knowledge of backend development and gain a deeper understanding of how the two areas work together. I am also excited to learn data structures and algorithms.
In addition to technical skills, I can’t wait to learn more about the importance of collaboration and teamwork in software engineering. I am looking forward to working with and growing alongside my cohort!

4) What do you want to contribute to or change about the tech industry?
As someone passionate about technology and its impact on society, I would like to drive tech solutions that address societal challenges, such as social inequality, climate change, and access to healthcare and education. I want to contribute to a more ethical and socially responsible tech industry by promoting the development of technologies that prioritize the well-being of individuals and communities. In addition, I would like to bring more diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility to the industry.

5) What’s your dream project?
My dream project would be to develop an application that provides more equitable access to healthcare and education.
Having worked in the non-profit healthcare and education sectors, I have witnessed how difficult it is for individuals to access essential healthcare and education services. I want to create a user-friendly and inclusive application that eliminates common financial, geographical, or language barriers. Creating an application that can address these obstacles will allow more individuals to access essential services and resources.

Destinee (she/her)

1) Tell us a little about your life.
Seven years ago, after graduating, I relocated from San Diego to Seattle, WA. Originally, I’m from Vegas. I come from a large, scattered, Mexican-American family of farmers, carpenters, bakers, artists, and misfits, which has impacted me in a beautiful way. As for me, I love to dance just for fun. I love cooking and geeking out on gastronomy, and all the different ways to cook. I love to explore, try new things, and stare at beautiful views.

2) What made you decide to pursue a software engineering career and apply for Techtonica?
In my time recruiting SDEs, I noticed that there aren’t many voices in engineering like mine, and I’m here because I’d like to contribute my unique perspective to the field. I decided that Techtonica was a great fit for me because of the project-based approach and of course, the empowering mission.

3) What are you most excited to learn while at Techtonica?
I’m excited about building a good community. One-on-one, I’m warm and open. In larger groups, I tend to be shier and more observational. I’m excited to share my strengths with others and also to grow from the strengths of others.

4) What do you want to contribute to or change about the tech industry?
I aim to contribute to the tech industry by creating more user-friendly experiences through human-centered design principles. By prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility in design, my goal is to ensure that technology becomes more intuitive, approachable, and usable for a diverse range of users, allowing more people to access and benefit from its potential.

5) What’s your dream project?
My dream project is a better language translator that is regionally appropriate for wherever the user is interested in learning more about. For example, Brazilian Portuguese is very different from Portuguese in Portugal. Yet, most apps, including Google Translate, aren’t great at adapting. It would be really amazing to have an app that analyzes or references local news, tik-tok, radio, etc. so that when you’re practicing a new language or traveling in a different place you can practice the local nuances of the language. It would also be cool if the app did justice to the cultural and migration influences via an optional mini history lesson.

Janet (she/her)

1) Tell us a little about your life.
I was raised by my mom in a single-parent family, where she demonstrated the strength and influence of a woman. Born in China and immigrating to the United States during high school, I embarked on a new chapter of my life, navigating cultural adjustments and embracing new opportunities. Because of my passion for problem-solving, I pursued a mathematics computation major at UCLA, graduating in 2018. In my personal life, I find immense joy in practicing yoga, studying Japanese, and honing my pottery skills. I believe in the importance of personal growth, continually seeking learning opportunities for self-improvement.

2) What made you decide to pursue a software engineering career and apply for Techtonica?
Before Techtonica, I worked as a special education teacher for 5 years. This role allowed me to discover my knack for developing creative solutions to support students with disabilities. Witnessing the transformative power of learning-assistant technology devices firsthand, I was deeply inspired. It ignited my desire to contribute to the development of educational technology as a software developer. I applied to Techtonica because it offers an inclusive and top-notch technical education. What particularly stands out is Techtonica’s commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and fostering a collaborative community, which strongly resonates with me.

3) What are you most excited to learn while at Techtonica?
I am incredibly excited to acquire the skills needed to create my own full stack app. I have a genuine curiosity about the entire process of developing an app, starting from scratch and transforming it into a practical tool that can effectively engage users. Witnessing this transformation feels almost like witnessing magic, and I aspire to be the individual who can harness the knowledge I gain to bring creative solutions to those in need.

4) What do you want to contribute to or change about the tech industry?
I am determined to contribute to bridging the gap between industry demands and the skills of aspiring professionals. While the tech industry has been remarkable in sharing knowledge and embracing open-source principles, it evolves at a rapid pace. Therefore, it is crucial to promote accessible and inclusive educational opportunities that enable individuals from diverse backgrounds to acquire the skills needed to thrive in this industry. This includes establishing mentorship programs to provide guidance and support, as well as encouraging lifelong learning to ensure that professionals can continuously adapt to new technologies and industry trends.

5) What’s your dream project?
My dream project would be creating a personalized learning platform that adapts to individual learners, providing tailored content and resources based on their unique needs and learning styles. The app would analyze user interactions, track progress, and make intelligent recommendations for optimal learning outcomes.

Jia (she/her)

1) Tell us a little about your life.
I was born in the Philippines and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area when I was nine. I was always the “smart kid” and did well in school. My favorite subjects were English and Art. As I matured, I had to learn to take joy in learning itself rather than protect my ego as the “smart kid.” Life is so much more fun when you’re open to learning something new. When I’m not programming, I love hiking and watercolor painting.

2) What made you decide to pursue a software engineering career and apply for Techtonica?
I’ve been a massage therapist for several years. I enjoy helping people feel healed and rejuvenated, but I know my body won’t be able to sustain that work forever. Software engineering marries my creative and logical sides and makes more career paths possible for me. Techtonica not only teaches great technical skills, it also imparts the mindset needed to sustain a long-term career in the tech field. I’m inspired by the example Techtonica is setting by breaking down barriers and stereotypes of the “ideal” software engineer.

3) What are you most excited to learn while at Techtonica?
I’m most excited to learn more pair programming. I’ve grown so much by working with others, and Techtonica’s collaborative approach to learning is so different compared to other programs. It’s such a privilege to learn alongside such intelligent, thoughtful classmates.

4) What do you want to contribute to or change about the tech industry?
I want to help more women be in the tech industry and define success on their own terms–not just by how much they can emulate male engineers. I don’t want to be successful if it means continuing the toxic cycles already in place. Furthermore, I also want the industry to take the safety of marginalized people more seriously when building tools. Often, safety measures are taken only after harm has been done, and progress is achieved at vulnerable peoples’ expense.

5) What’s your dream project?
My dream project is something that helps people exercise in a fun, non-judgmental way. So much of fitness content revolves only around improving one’s appearance. I want to help others feel empowered in their bodies and decouple fitness from self-hate.

Natalia (she/her)

1) Tell us a little about your life.
I moved around very frequently growing up from Georgia, to New York, to California, and to Florida. I have battled endometriosis and adenomyosis for the last 10 years of my life. I grew up surrounded by many different animals due to my mother being a vet tech which has made me very passionate about helping animals. Throughout my middle school and high school years, I took a serious interest in photography and film making — I taught myself as much as I could, then created my own business. I have also had many other artistic hobbies over the years such as painting, drawing, and sculpting. I have also developed a love for traveling and exploring.

2) What made you decide to pursue a software engineering career and apply for Techtonica?
In my search for digital art tools that were both accessible and high quality I realized that the both of those were difficult to find. It made me want to create my own digital art software one day. I also love that I can create whatever my heart desires with coding. There’s so many interesting things to learn with software engineering. I ultimately chose to apply to Techtonica because of their values such as inclusivity, diversity, and how accessible they are.

3) What are you most excited to learn while at Techtonica?
I have already learned a lot by working with others during the pair programming sessions the last few weeks but I am very excited to learn how to collaborate more with everyone. I am also excited to learn React so I can build full stack applications.

4) What do you want to contribute to or change about the tech industry?
I want to revolutionize the tech industry’s approach to accessibility, and inclusivity. I want accessibility and inclusivity to be a top priority for every company and program that has existed and will exist. I also want to make sure the tech industry is as diverse as possible and empowers women and queer people.

5) What’s your dream project?
My dream project is to build an advanced video and photo editing software that is easy to use for people of all skill levels. It would provide support for people with any disability and allow them to unleash their creative potential. I want to make this software in order to break the barrier to entry into the art industry. The more accessible it is to create art the better the world will be.

Rachel (she/her)

1) Tell us a little about your life.
I was born in California but grew up in Scotland (happy to do an accent if asked ;)), and I’ve gotten to see England, Germany, and Japan as well. Before Techtonica, I was a community college student getting my AA in Liberal Arts. I’ve been coming out of my shell the past few years and growing my confidence, getting involved on campus in Student Government, Astronomy Club, and the newspaper. I love being active and trying new things. Due to my long history of choral singing, most notably in the National Youth Choir of Scotland, I also worked part-time as a Choir Director: I taught young kids and teenagers at a church and South Korean teenagers and young adults at a private school. However, I’ve always known that teaching wasn’t my forever career, and I was drawn to software engineering and all the possibilities for career paths and potential projects. I want a job where I’m always learning something new!

2) What made you decide to pursue a software engineering career and apply for Techtonica?
I enjoy the skills involved in software engineering, like problem-solving and finding creative solutions. Last year, my friend showed me freeCodeCamp, and I immediately fell in love with coding. I realized this was something I could see myself doing forever. I have so many hobbies, and I felt like choosing just one as a career would be betraying the other facets of my self, but coding allows me to build many different kinds of things and work with many different groups of people, so I think it’s perfect for someone like me who wants to enjoy many different experiences. I was planning to go the self-taught route, but found myself lacking in collaboration and guidance. Techtonica seemed to be different from my impression of other bootcamps: they were nurturing and supportive of students and deeply cared for their success, an impression in which my belief has only grown stronger after the application and onboarding process here!

3) What are you most excited to learn while at Techtonica?
I’m most excited to make a full-stack app from start to finish! I’ve made some very basic projects, but I’m so looking forward to having a bigger project made by myself that I can be proud of. I’m also excited to have collaboration and mentorship! I look forward to learning with and from the Techtonica staff, my mentor, and my cohort.

4) What do you want to contribute to or change about the tech industry?
I want to break stereotypes of how an engineer should be: what they look like, where they come from, or what kind of person they are. I want to be the representation I never had growing up so that I can inspire others to pursue tech, either as a career or a hobby. My friends call me “the walking billboard”; when something makes me happy, I advertise it a lot, because I want others to feel my joy as well. I want to be an advocate for others and inspire them to try out software engineering. I would love to one day be a mentor or put tech content online to show people what the field is really like.

5) What’s your dream project?
I have so many ideas! My eventual goal is actually to be an entrepreneur and build a company around a software project. One small idea for my fellow arachnophobes is a Chrome extension AI that detects images of spiders (or clowns, snakes, ghosts, etc) and blanks them out for you, so you can traverse the internet without fear. A more ambitious idea of mine draws on my background in music: a music streaming app like the popular ones, but that’s more equitable in terms of money and exposure for smaller artists, and also fosters a stronger link between artist and fan. Or a social media app with an algorithm that promotes healthy and positive posts and hashtags for a more uplifting social media experience. Or, or, or . . . the list goes on . . .

Samelia (she/her)

1) Tell us a little about your life.
I am originally from Monrovia, Liberia, in West Africa, and my parents and I immigrated to the US when I was only 2 years old. I grew up in Minneapolis, MN. When I went to community college, I was encouraged to enter the nursing program as so many of my relatives were nurses, but I was interested in Computer Science and wanted to learn how to code. However, I could not afford to obtain a degree in the field at the time, so I graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree and continued to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Outside of college, I have always loved creating beautiful looks for people. I worked part-time as a self-taught professional makeup artist for nearly 20 years.

2) What made you decide to pursue a software engineering career and apply for Techtonica?
After my role at my company was eliminated due to COVID-19 layoffs, I decided to use my time off as an opportunity to learn software engineering to not only challenge myself but to pursue the long interest in Computer science, so I decided to challenge myself to learn how to code. As I grew to love coding, I decided to pursue a software engineering career. I applied to Techtonica after meeting Cristina at a study night for Women Who Code. With Cristina’s encouragement and her demonstrative passion for the inclusion of women of color and non-binary people in the tech space I was convinced that Techtonica was where I belonged!

3) What are you most excited to learn while at Techtonica?
I am most excited to learn how to use tools such as Git for collaborating with others. I want to build a community with not only my Techtonica cohort mates but with programmers all over the world. I know many of the projects I create over time will have a greater creative reach with the input of those the diverse perspectives of people I meet along the way. GIT is just one of the many collaborative tools I am excited to learn and use at Techtonica.

4) What do you want to contribute to or change about the tech industry?
I want to contribute to the accurate use of data for people of color. I have found that research for products or technologies often does not include data from communities of color. I would like to contribute to ensuring that the needs that are derived from people of color are not only counted and considered as technology improves, but that their voices are clearly represented in the design and development of new tech innovations.

5) What’s your dream project?
My dream project would be to develop a really fun and creative dating app. I love Rom-Coms and romantic novels! And I have always toyed with the idea of doing something geared toward introverts to help them break out of their shell and feel more comfortable and safe online. I am also very open to learning about new tools and resources as I grow as an engineer to be able to develop a wide variety of hopefully impactful projects to help a variety of people.

Whitney-Rene (she/her)

1) Tell us a little about your life.
I call North Carolina my home. I was born, raised and most of my family resides there. I have lived near Charlotte, the Triangle area and most recently spent a couple years in Spain. My desire to connect with others, my ability to communicate and listen well, and my warm and quirky personality have always inspired me to work in the public and human service fields. My curiosity to learn new things, my drive to solve issues and attention to detail have led me to pursue a career in computer technology…I am truly thrilled! I find joy in traveling, learning new languages, creating things with my hands, spending time with other humans and being outside, all of which are therapeutic for me.

2) What made you decide to pursue a software engineering career and apply for Techtonica?
I enjoy studying and decoding languages, and solving puzzles, equations, and problems. I noticed that possessing those same skills and interests was great for pursuing a career in software engineering. When I moved past the fear of learning something completely new and transitioning into an unknown career, I knew this field could be one in which I could thrive and excel. A friend suggested Techtonica to me, and after attending several study group sessions and interacting with Techtonica staff, I knew that I wanted to be a participant in the program. Techtonica creates an environment that is safe, accepting, reassuring and challenging. I knew I would learn a tremendous amount and that I would be well prepared for my first software engineering job.

3) What are you most excited to learn while at Techtonica?
I am very eager to learn and master a new skill. I am also excited about mentorship. I look forward to being partnered with someone I can learn from, and who will challenge, encourage and hold me accountable. Lastly, I look forward to working with and getting to know the other participants in my cohort!

4) What do you want to contribute to or change about the tech industry?
I would like to create more exposure and access to the technology industry. I want to contribute in a way that individuals do not experience as much intimidation as I did as it related to learning about and entering the field. I want to contribute in a way that people are exposed to computer technology, early and in simple ways, so that being curious about and/or working in the industry is an option for them, if they want it.

5) What’s your dream project?
At this moment, I am unable to specifically identify my dream project, however the possibilities excite me! I am certain it will be a project that is sustainable and that serves people in a meaningful way. I know I will be open and explore several options, as it relates to project ideas. As I learn more about the tech industry, identify gaps and hone in on my natural skills and interests as a software engineer, I am confident it will become very clear and deeply inspired. I cannot wait to be able to answer this question and begin working towards creating and building my dream project. Stay tuned!

Yadira (she/her)

1) Tell us a little about your life.
I was born in Ensenada, Mexico, and settled in the Phoenix, Arizona with my family at the age of 7. Moving to a new country at a young age taught me many lessons: resilience, hard work, confidence, embracing your differences, humility, and resourcefulness. At the age of 18, my family decided to move to Salt Lake City, Utah, where I met my husband, and we have been raising our three children together. I have a child on the spectrum, which became my main focus to learn as much as I could about his diagnosis. Now my children are a little older where they can be more independent and also give me more freedom to pursue the things I want to.

2) What made you decide to pursue a software engineering career and apply for Techtonica?
After completing an introductory program for moms who want to explore the world of tech here in Utah, I recognized the value of my skills and gained confidence in my experience. I enjoyed coding my own portfolio website and was hooked. When I heard about Techtonica through a Facebook group and after doing some research, I saw it was the best place for me to be. Techtonica’s mission statement and values spoke to me. I see a lack of diversity and inclusion. By empowering people to achieve their dreams, the industry can change.

3) What are you most excited to learn while at Techtonica?
I’m excited to learn how to be a great software engineer. How to be pair programming and well as the support we will be receiving from the staff and mentors.

4) What do you want to contribute to or change about the tech industry?
I would really want to see more people in the Hispanic community in tech roles. Unfortunately, Latina women only make up 2% of the tech labor force. If more moms knew how the tech industry world works, future generations could benefit. Teaching children from a young age is important, as well as showing them the possibilities out there.

5) What’s your dream project?
I want to embark on a project where Hispanic families can understand how to navigate the complexities of autism, providing them with information and support in their native languages. During my experience as a translator at a school, I often encountered a dearth of resources available to these families in their preferred language. I want to address the disparity and bridge the information gap. Furthermore, I am committed to helping them learn how to effectively manage an Individualized Education Program (IEP), ensuring their children receive the tailored support they deserve.