Aya Ahmed, a pharmacy graduate with a deep passion for learning, discovered her interest in programming through She Codes Too. Combining her background in pharmacy with new coding skills, Aya developed CosmeticTech—a platform offering skincare advice and medically relevant content. Her story highlights how women from non-tech fields can confidently break into tech, with the right support and learning environment. Aya was part of the Front-End Web Development and Business program, implemented by She Codes Too with the support of Baghdad Business School and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. This extensive, in-person, seven-month program ran from February 2024 to August 2024, graduating 22 women. Read her inspiring journey below.

My name is Aya Ahmed, and I’m a pharmacy graduate. I’m passionate about developing myself and always eager to learn new and useful things. What inspired me to explore programming was my curiosity about different fields—especially now that we live in a technology-driven world. I wanted to discover what this field is all about.

My experience with She Codes Too was truly amazing. I learned so many valuable and interesting things that helped me both in programming and even in my pharmacy background. I learned how applications work, how to build a basic program, and understand its foundation. The training was very useful, and the support and content provided made the journey enjoyable and beneficial.

One of the highlights of my journey was designing my first website/application called CosmeticTech. It focuses on skincare, medical consultation, and provides medically relevant products and content. This project allowed me to blend my background in pharmacy with the technical skills I gained through the program, and it gave me the confidence to start building solutions for real-life needs.

After completing the program, I gained a broader perspective on programming and how it can be applied in different areas. I now have ideas about combining programming with my pharmacy degree, and I feel more confident about my future and the opportunities available to me.

I believe that programs like She Codes Too are truly changing the game for women in tech. They’re creating real opportunities and encouraging women to break into the field with confidence.

To any woman out there thinking of exploring something new—don’t hesitate! Even if you have no prior experience with coding, this program starts from the basics and supports you step by step. The most important thing is to start, and the rest will follow.

Final Thoughts

Thank you, She Codes Too, for this amazing opportunity. I’m so grateful for every moment I spent learning with you. This was a new beginning for me, and I look forward to continuing this journey and growing even more.