Zainab’s Mahdi Journey of Growth
I am Zainab Mahdi, a Statistics graduate from the College of Administration and Economics. I live in Baghdad, and I have long been interested in both technology and art.
What inspired me most was the clear support for women and the drive to bring out their full potential. I wanted to enter the world of technology because it has become unavoidable in today’s rapidly evolving world. Since childhood, I grew up in an environment that valued technology and progress, and that shaped my passion.
My first impression was filled with excitement and renewal. I felt that, for the first time, I was stepping out of the ordinary and beginning to enter a community where I could connect with successful people.
The programme was exciting; I learned so much and started to realise the importance of both technology and business management. One of my favourite moments was discovering that Excel is actually an enjoyable and worthwhile tool to learn. Starting to write code was both difficult and exciting, but for me, the harder it was, the stronger the motivation—and that’s exactly what kept me going.
My best memory was attending the Women in Tech Summit. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet many successful women. Meeting Raghad Al-Abboodi for the first time was also one of my most special moments. From the very first time I saw her, I considered her a true role model.
The mentorship sessions, guest speakers, and community events had a strong impact on me. They taught me so much and gave me the courage to face job interviews and learn how to write my CV properly.
The programme gave me a big push forward. It made me realise my abilities, evaluate myself, and see how much I needed this growth. I am now in a stage of continuous development and learning, and I haven’t stopped since.
I now have greater opportunities, and people see me differently when they learn that I am pursuing data analysis. They recognise my effort and ambition. At the moment, I don’t work in a fixed place, but I work as a freelancer formatting graduation research papers. One of my main goals in joining the programme was to strengthen this field because it helps me with academic research that requires statistical and data analysis.
Beyond technical skills, the programme made me braver. Of course, I faced moments of stress, but I was able to find myself among a group of ambitious people. Everyone I met added something positive and valuable to my journey.
One key moment for me was at the Women in Tech Summit, talking with Raghad, my colleagues, and the team. I saw everyone in positions I had once only dreamed of. Hearing their stories confirmed to me that every person has a chance to achieve their dreams. That’s when I started turning my dreams into real ambitions that I believe will come true.
In my opinion, every girl deserves a chance to enter a growing community that pushes her forward. She Codes Too gave me that push toward growth and success. That’s why I strongly encourage every girl not to doubt herself, not even for a moment, and to seize the amazing opportunities offered by the organisation.
My advice is to be patient and persistent—unleash the hardworking spirit within you.
My journey may seem simple to many, but to me it was the best journey I’ve had this year. Though short, it changed so many of my ambitions and goals. It made me rethink every detail of my professional life and helped me realise that I am not just an ordinary woman. I am a unique, ambitious woman who will climb the ladder of success, reach the top one day, and have my name remembered everywhere.
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