A Journey of Ambition, Motherhood, and Rediscovering my Career Path
Hey there, readers! I'm Sehrish, an aspiring backend Python developer, and I want to share my incredible journey with you. But first, let me tell you about the role that truly empowers me—being a coding mother.
Two years ago, I embarked on a coding adventure. It all started nine years ago when I graduated as an electrical engineer and married my childhood sweetheart. Due to my husband's job, we had to move around the country every couple of years, making it difficult for me to pursue my dream career. As a girl with big ambitions, I always imagined myself achieving great things in the STEM field. Choosing between family and a career was never an easy decision for me, and it took a toll on my peace of mind for quite some time.
However, amidst the challenging times of the COVID pandemic, I stumbled upon a silver lining. I discovered the vast opportunities that remote work had to offer, rekindling my desire to reignite my career aspirations. At that time, my firstborn was just two years old, which allowed me to explore the world of tech. During my research, I quickly realized that coding was the perfect avenue for me to conquer new challenges and reach my goals. With unwavering determination, I decided to learn to code and chose Python due to its versatility.
While I was preparing for Outreachy—an internship program supporting underrepresented communities—I also welcomed my second child into the world. Balancing the responsibilities of caring for a picky-eating 2.5-year-old and a newborn, alongside giving my best to the internship, was no easy task. It was a period of immense challenges, but it was also incredibly rewarding. In just three months, I developed a Java application that generated a Software Bill of Materials for Eclipse Adoptium. Java was unfamiliar territory for me, and the intensity of the experience resulted in my first tech burnout. Sadly, I had to decline an enticing paid internship offer from a Silicon Valley startup due to the strain it would put on my mental health. This was another setback, but I wasn't disheartened. My children needed me the most at that point, and I knew my comeback would come in due time.
Fast forward to today—my youngest child can now eat on her own, while I still feed my four-year-old. Since Java wasn't my initial language of choice, I decided to focus on honing my Python skills. My first mini-project was creating the hangman game. Throughout this journey, I've dedicated countless hours to refining my Python expertise and delving into the world of SQL, all in preparation for entry-level Python jobs.
In the midst of confusion about which tech path to pursue, I was fortunate to find Martin Blore who is graciously volunteering to mentor me. His guidance and feedback have been invaluable, serving as a guiding light in my journey. I am eternally grateful for his support.
Of course, there are days when mommy duties take precedence over coding. I only have around three hours of uninterrupted coding time while my kids are at daycare, as it can be quite costly. Living far away from their grandparents means I am solely responsible for their upbringing, which can be exhausting. However, amidst the chaos, coding provides a sense of calm and serves as my personal escape.
Join me on this captivating adventure as I navigate the intersection of motherhood and coding. Together, let's discover the wonders that lie beyond expectations, where ambition and the beautiful chaos of life intertwine.