#girlswhocode Meet Azhar and Anna two programmers living their best lives at DeveloperWeek2020.

Steve Harvey has one of the most inspirational videos of all time on social media, "Jump"

"You cannot just exist in this life, you have got to try to live." - Steve Harvey

When I attend events like #devweek2020 I am always on the search for jumpers; individuals living life their own way.

Two remarkable individuals, living their best lives are Azhar Nurgalinova and Anna Sarafanova.

I ran into them while attending Tom's open talk on docker containerization at the intersection of firmware risk and C programming. 

After learning how Azhar from Kazakhstan and Anna from Russia both managed to somehow make there way to Silicon Valley, learn programming, and not contributing members of the tech community, volunteering their time at the DeveloperWeek expo, I asked if I could interview them, and they graciously agreed.

The following interview transcript comes from an audio recording, coming soon.

---

AmentiVC: OK so wait, Azhar you're from Kazakhstan, and Anna you're from Russia? How did you get here?

Tom: Swam?

(Laughter)

Azhar: No, by airplane! But yeah, I've got a green card and moved here. First, looking for a job in marketing for three months because I had a bachelor's in finance and marketing.

Tom: Ahh, do you?

Azhar: Yeah, but that very first time, my English wasn't as good… Or it was not [good enough] to find a job in this field because I needed really good communicative skills… Then I found friends here from the same country as my country and they told me a story about this school [42 Silicon Valley] because they were from this school too.

AmentiVC: Were you already in America by now?

Azhar: Yes, I was already in America. I was living with my Aunt for the first three months and I needed to move out!

(laughter)

Azhar: To start my new life, you know, to be independent, and to live by my own. So for me, it was a great opportunity to start from this school because they also provide free living.

Azhar: Hmm?

Tom: Ahhh. How Interesting.

Azhar: …Free education and free dorms so I was like OK I'm going to just try this intro program for 28 days… but I am not going to stay at this school, I just need a place to live. Then I had a marketing interview the second day of this program, and I was like, "No, I want to stay at this school, I like coding!" I like "C" [programming] and I like when my brain just, explodes.

AmentiVC: Explodes?

Azhar: Right.

(Laughter)

Tom: So it's challenging?

Azhar: Yes, I do like challenges. I like to be challenged. And so, it has been a year since I got into the school and since I started coding. That's my story…

AmentiVC: So you are a master dabbler, right? You try everything?

Azhar: Right.

AmentiVC: So what stands out, as far as [projects] you like the most?

Azhar: I like images. Like when I code and I see the result instantly. For example, we have some projects: "write the function printF." 

Tom: Right, right, yes.

Azhar: This is a really, really, long project and you get only one line of the result. A lot of lines of coding, but only one line of the result. But then I decided to go the graphic branch and code the images to get the pictures. So, right now I am doing the Wolfenstein 3D and I see the results and I like gaming more.

Tom having graciously stayed past his original office hours requirement, finally heads out to his next engagement.

AmentiVC: So Anna, a question for you. You are from Russia, how did you get to the States?

Anna: Umm. Well, first of all, mmm, I am not a tech person… Wait, bad start…

(Laughter)

Anna: I was not a tech person. I used to learn History in my country. I started learning programming in my country but it was pretty hard to change the career and to change the future.

AmentiVC: What was the first career path that you chose?

Anna: I used to work in logistics for all my life. I used to work in an American company… I used to work in logistics, but I wanted to learn something in tech; for all my life, and I started to [program] at home because I was curious.

After that, I got an opportunity to come to the United States. My husband is a programmer and he got a job here and we came here together and I found this school, immediately [joined], and now I am learning Javascript at this school and I also go to City College in San Francisco, but I do the [most coding] by myself at home.

AmentiVC: Fantastic, so what's been your favorite project you have accomplished within 42 or City College?

Anna: Well I think my favorite project within 42 was "Library in C". 

(Azhar giggles in reflection)

Anna: It sounds weird because…I don't like C [Programming], but this project was really helpful for those who have just started the tech path… It really helps you understand what is going on because you write your own library of 63 functions as I remember…

Azhar: Yes, you start with about 60 or 70 functions. You are writing your own library.

Anna: After this first month in 42, as I told you, it was a mess because you… don't know anything, and after that you need to finish your first project, this library. It really helps you to structure your knowledge. It was really helpful. It was my favorite project. 

AmentiVC: Nice. So, you both have very unique stories, right. A question I think people would have for you is: Just like you said, your first C project you had to learn 63 different functionalities essentially, and your brains exploded, so what would be your advice to yourself or to anyone else to put your mind towards, just doing it. Trying it out for the first time. There are not as many people so courageous as to just, try something new.

Anna: So my advice for those who want to put their foot in the door in the tech industry, but don't know where to start: Just start! As soon as possible, because you will be upset in a year… You will be upset because you did not start earlier. You don't need to be afraid because this industry accepts, everyone. 

I believe there are no stereotypes in [the] tech industry now because there are a lot of women in tech now and… You can start at the age of 30, at the age of 35, at the age of 40 and it's cool. Just start. Just do anything, by yourself.

AmentiVC: What would your advice be [Azhar]?

Azhar: Even if you feel that you are dumb and stupid…

(Laughter)

Azhar: Even if you feel that this is not yours… Even if you think that, you will never get this… Still try it.

Anna: Yeah… And one more advice, even if you don't like the language you learn now…

Azhar: You will like it…

Anna: …You can try another one! 

And, you will find something for you, for yourself. As I told you, I started with C and it was painful, I didn't like it, at all, but now I learned Javascript and it's super interesting for me.

I really spend my weekends at home, coding.

AmentiVC: Coding? That's awesome. That's really great.

Azhar: And also, don't be afraid to fail.

Anna: Yeah, sorry I am not a perfect English speaker.

(Laughter)

AmentiVC: No it's fine…

(Laughter)

Wow, I have to say my conversation with Azhar, Anna, and Tom was among my top 3 favorite at DeveloperWeek 2020. Thank you Azhar and Anna for sharing your journeys with us.

I receive questions through Linkedin on a weekly basis from professionals wondering if, how and when it may be appropriate to consider pivoting within their career or learning new skill-sets. 

I hope Azhar and Anna are case studies to inspire you to STOP WONDERING and JUMP!

If you are ready to Jump in 2020, tag yourself in the Comments section. #justjump.

 If you like this content and want more of this content, follow AmentiVC on Linkedin and stay tuned for more original content.