Before I Led Communities, They Built Me
What began as a hesitant step into tech evolved into an unexpected career in Cloud Engineering. This is a story about curiosity, community, overcoming imposter syndrome, and how the people who believed in me helped shape the leader I'm still growing into—one committed to inspiring more women to find their place in tech.
It All Started With My Brother
My introduction to technology wasn't through a bootcamp, a YouTube recommendation, or social media. It was through my older brother. Right after I finished secondary school, he introduced me to the world of tech as a Product Designer and encouraged me to learn frontend development. Initially, I wasn't interested because I simply didn't see myself in it yet. Almost two years later, something changed—I picked up frontend development, but consistency was a struggle. I'd learn for a while, stop, come back again, and repeat the cycle.
University Changed Everything
When I got into university, I decided to take learning seriously. Balancing academics, work as a research writer, and frontend development was challenging. There were days when it felt overwhelming—assignments, client deadlines, practicals, classes—but I kept going. I wasn’t trying to prove anything to anyone; I was simply trying to become a better version of myself.
Curiosity Changed the Direction of My Career
One day, I came across a post about Cloud Engineering. I had no idea what it was but became curious. I started asking questions: What is cloud computing? Why are companies moving to the cloud? What do Cloud Engineers actually do? I realized there was an entire world behind the applications I had been building—infrastructure, servers, networking, automation, security, deployment, and scalability. I knew I wanted to learn more.
I Didn’t Learn Alone, Communities Helped Me
If there's one thing that shaped my career more than anything else, it's community. Communities gave me access to resources, mentors, learning opportunities, events, and friends—people who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. The AWS Student Builder Group FUTO (formerly AWS Cloud Club FUTO) completely changed my learning experience. Instead of figuring everything out alone, I was surrounded by people asking the same questions and solving similar problems. I also found opportunities through Google Developer Groups (GDG), NexaScale, and other tech ecosystems that invested in helping beginners grow.
Representation Matters
Meeting incredible women in Cloud and DevOps changed my mindset. Seeing women build amazing careers, lead technical communities, speak at conferences, and solve real engineering problems made the impossible feel possible. Today, whenever I encourage another young woman entering tech, I remember how much seeing someone ahead of me mattered.
The Silent Battle With Imposter Syndrome
Like many in tech, I wrestled with imposter syndrome. I questioned whether I was learning fast enough, doing enough, or truly belonged in the rooms I found myself in. I compared my journey to others and wondered if I was falling behind. But I kept learning, building, volunteering, and showing up—even on days when confidence was nowhere to be found. Over time, people began reaching out, sharing how my transition into Cloud Engineering gave them confidence to start theirs. Those conversations reminded me that impact doesn’t always announce itself.
Full Circle
Today, I lead the AWS Student Builder Group FUTO, a community of over 1,000 members, and the Google Developer Group (GDG) Cloud Club FUTO. Every event, beginner we encourage, and technical session we host reminds me of the girl who once didn’t know where to begin. The communities that once poured into me now trust me to pour into others.
If there's one lesson my journey has taught me, it's this: You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. Stay curious, be willing to learn, ask questions, and show up consistently. Most importantly, don’t try to do it alone—find your community. To every young woman wondering if there’s a place for you in Cloud, DevOps, or tech: There is. Your journey won’t look exactly like mine, and it shouldn’t. Don’t let fear convince you that you aren’t capable.