Zahra Balasim, from Baghdad, transitioned from customer experience to tech through She Codes Too. Driven by a desire to build digital solutions, she gained coding and business skills that helped her land a role in product development. The programme gave her clarity, confidence, and a strong professional foundation. Zahra is one of our graduates of the 7-month Front-End Web Development and Business Programme, funded by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad in partnership with Baghdad Business School. 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 Zahra’ Balasim, and I’m from Baghdad, Iraq. I’m passionate about creativity, technology, and personal growth. I have a professional background in customer experience, but I’ve always been deeply interested in building digital products - not just interacting with them. That curiosity eventually led me to the world of coding.

What inspired me most was the frustration of having ideas or facing technical issues and not knowing how to solve them myself. I wanted to be the person who builds solutions, not just waits for someone else to do it. Coding felt like a superpower - one that would allow me to turn ideas into real, functional experiences that serve people and express creativity.

When I first joined She Codes Too, I was a bit nervous, but I immediately felt a strong sense of belonging. The environment was welcoming, supportive, and filled with inspiring women who motivated me to grow. The Front-End Web Development and Business Programme truly shifted my perspective. It wasn’t just about learning programming - it was about developing a whole new mindset: thinking like a problem-solver and designing with the user in mind. My favourite part of the program was when we began the business classes. They were directly aligned with what I was doing at my job at the time, so I was able to apply what I learned immediately—it felt like real-time growth.

One of my proudest moments was presenting my first project, a personal portfolio. Despite feeling exhausted from balancing work and study, I managed to place in the top three. That recognition meant so much to me. The mentorship sessions were incredibly valuable. I stayed in touch with my mentor even after the official mentorship period ended, and to this day—after graduating from She Codes Too - she continues to support me in my career journey.

I also built a strong network through the guest speaker talks and community events organised by She Codes Too. They expanded my understanding of both the tech and business worlds, introduced me to different career paths, and made me feel like I was truly part of something bigger.

Today, I work in the product field, which beautifully blends both the tech and business sides. Anyone working in product field needs a solid background in technology, as the foundation of every product is built on it. At the same time, they must be able to manage and lead product development effectively—so having knowledge in both areas business and tech has helped me a lot in this field.

Before joining the She Codes Too program, I honestly didn’t know where to start. My thoughts were all over the place—I struggled with how to build self-growth, how to find the right career path, and how to take the first step. I was moving without direction, without confidence, and without a clear plan. Now, I approach job hunting strategically. I’ve built a strong CV, I’m more confident in interviews, and I have a portfolio project that represents my abilities.

One of the biggest transformations is how I see myself. I no longer feel lost or unsure about my next move. I know how to plan, how to grow, and most importantly—what I’m aiming for. The program didn’t just give me technical skills—it gave me clarity, confidence, and a clear sense of purpose.

She Codes Too is doing something incredible. It’s not just teaching women how to code—it’s giving them access to a whole new world of opportunities. When women see others like them succeed in tech, it becomes easier to believe they can too.

If you’re a woman thinking about entering the tech field, don’t let fear hold you back. Start small, and don’t worry about being perfect. The She Codes Too community is full of people who will support you and help you grow. You don’t have to be an expert—you just have to begin.

My journey with She Codes Too wasn’t just a program—it was a turning point in my life. I learned, I stumbled, I grew, and I transformed. Today, I can confidently say that I’m not the same person I was before joining She Codes Too. I’ve started to recognise the things I’m truly good at, I know where I’m heading, and I feel excited about what’s next. I will always be grateful for the step I took—and for She Codes Too—for helping me become the person I am today. And I'm not just someone who loves tech and business—I’m someone who creates with it.

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