Career Path Of A Software Engineer At A Technology Company
Hannah's career path was initially uncertain, encompassing diverse experiences like "pre-med volunteer programs and marketing internships," before a marketing role at Procore. A pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic, spurred by introspection and free time, led to a software development bootcamp and a current position at a mid-size technology company after "six months," showcasing adaptability and a proactive approach to career exploration.
Career Exploration, Career Change, Software Development, Bootcamps, Technology
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Hannah Ramadan
Software Engineer
Technology Company
University of California, Santa Barbara
Hackbright (Software Bootcamp)
International Relations & Affairs
Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Hannah's exploration of various fields (law, medicine, marketing) before finding her passion for software development showcases the value of trying different things to discover one's strengths and interests.
2. Her decision to transition careers from marketing to software engineering after gaining experience and using free time during the pandemic highlights the importance of continuous learning and adapting to new opportunities.
3. Hannah's experience with multiple internships in college, including marketing, sales, and recruiting, demonstrates the benefit of gaining practical work experience to inform career choices and identify areas of interest.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Do you have any internships or jobs you had before your current role?
I didn't know what I wanted to do in college. I thought I wanted to go into law, so many of my classes were focused around that. But then I thought, "Oh no, maybe medical school." So I kind of switched gears.
I ended up doing a lot of different things in college. I was in pre-med volunteer programs and had marketing and sales internships. I also had a recruiting internship. I was one of those people trying to find their place.
When I graduated, the intent was law school. I circled back to that after taking a prep course. I realized that wasn't for me and leaned into my most recent internship, which was in marketing.
Right after college, I started working at a local tech company, Procore, headquartered in Santa Barbara. I was on the marketing team, specifically in brand marketing, and I did that for about five years.
When COVID happened, I questioned if that was what I wanted to do. Because I tried so many things in college, I'm someone who, like many hardworking UCSB students, tries really hard for what they want. I was successful in marketing but desired something new.
During my time in marketing, I had the chance to work with many software developers. When COVID hit, I had more free time in the evenings. I chose to start studying software development and entered a six-month coding bootcamp.
When I graduated, I was fortunate enough to find a job at a mid-size technology company. I've been doing that for the past couple of years.