Hawraa’s journey with She Codes Too and the DataCamp Donate scholarship began with determination and faith in herself. After not being accepted the first time, she didn’t give up - and when she finally joined, she made the most of the opportunity. Through hard work and the support of the She Codes Too community, Hawraa developed strong data analysis skills, earned multiple certificates, and secured a job as a Process Analyst at Switch. Her story shows how persistence, learning, and a supportive community can truly change lives.

I have always trusted the She Codes Too (SCT) community. The previous year, I applied for their Data Analysis programme, but unfortunately, I wasn’t accepted. However, I was determined to become part of SCT, and I was truly grateful when I won the DataCamp Donate scholarship. I used this opportunity to pursue my passion for learning data analysis with the SCT community.

I enrolled in courses on data analysis using Excel, SQL, Python, Power BI, and Tableau. I didn’t work on any projects because I was fortunate to land a job that matched the skills I gained during my learning journey on DataCamp.

My favourite course was Mastering Power BI because I learned it quickly and enjoyed how practical and impactful it was.

The main challenge I faced was balancing my full-time job with studying. I was eager to learn more, but time was limited. Despite this, I’m grateful that I managed to complete a significant part of my learning plan on DataCamp.

My greatest support came from the SCT community — especially Hajar, Raghad, and Aya. I’m truly grateful for their continuous follow-up on our progress, their encouragement, and their efforts to help us learn as much as possible and even secure job opportunities.

They also gave us the chance to attend some sessions from the Data Analysis programme, which was incredibly valuable. I benefited a lot from sharing experiences with other learners.

I attended a guest speaker session, and it was an amazing and inspiring discussion.

What makes the She Codes Too community special is that it brings together smart, determined women who strive to prove themselves in fields that many think are too difficult for women to learn or work in. This community gave me hope and motivation to keep going because it truly supports the growth of women in tech across Iraq.

My confidence grew significantly when I started applying for jobs that aligned with the skills I gained from the scholarship. I was able to speak confidently about my abilities, knowing that I could perform tasks accurately and effectively.

I’m most proud of developing my skills in data analysis, problem-solving, and finding technological solutions. I also discovered — almost without realising it — that my analytical thinking and attention to detail revealed a leadership side in me, as I became more capable of handling challenges and responsibilities.

I earned certificates in TOT (Training of Trainers) and Digital Marketing, and I’m continuing to expand my learning journey.

I have successfully worked on organising and coordinating projects in the government sector, with full support from Switch, where I was entrusted with both technical and marketing tasks to help advance these projects. Most importantly, I was able to secure a role as a Process Analyst at Switch, which was a major milestone in my career.

Programmes like She Codes Too have a profound impact on women in Iraq and beyond. They provide access to knowledge, skills, and a supportive community, which empowers women to pursue careers in tech and data fields that are often underrepresented by women. These programmes help build confidence, open career opportunities, and inspire women to believe in their potential.

To any woman considering joining She Codes Too, I would say: be bold and embrace every opportunity to learn. This community will support you, guide you, and help you grow professionally and personally.

A memorable moment from my journey was when I secured my job aligned with the skills I gained from DataCamp. It was a moment of pride and proof that dedication, learning, and persistence truly pay off.

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