Success story

Breaking Boundaries: Zainab's Journey from War-Torn Iraq to Frontend Developer

Meet Zainab, a 26-year-old Iraqi woman who dared to challenge societal norms and shattered the glass ceiling, proving that possibilities have no bounds.

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7

min read //

February 12, 2024

Levent Ahmetoglu

Program Manager

Breaking Boundaries: Zainab's Journey from War-Torn Iraq to Frontend Developer
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Growing up in Iraq and witnessing the harsh realities of war, Zainab struggled to imagine what her life could be like. Amidst a bleak environment that offered little support for women in the workforce, she also faced additional barriers challenging societal norms that confined women to more traditional roles of housewives and mothers.

Raised against the backdrop of war-torn Iraq, Zainab grappled with the harsh realities of her life and struggled to envision a future beyond the limitations imposed by a society that traditionally confined women to the roles of housewives and mothers. Undeterred, Zainab found support from her family, who encouraged her to pursue her dreams despite the challenging circumstances.

In the face of adversity, Zainab's love for solving mathematical problems emerged as a beacon of possibility. Eager to translate her passion into a meaningful career, she embarked on a journey filled with uncertainty but fueled by determination.

The Turning Point

Faced with the difficult decision to leave Iraq and start a new life in Türkiye, Zainab discovered the transformative power of Re:Coded's coding bootcamps. Drawn to the success stories of her friends who had had thriving careers in tech, she knew she had found her community. Little did she know that the bootcamp would not only refine her skills and expand her professional network but also pave the way for a life-altering transformation.

“I applied to be part of a Re:Coded bootcamp so many times and when I finally got my acceptance later, I was ecstatic and really proud of myself.” 

Balancing a full-time job while navigating the bootcamp, Zainab not only mastered the fundamentals and honed her programming skills but also forged lasting connections with fellow students—relationships that continue to be a source of guidance and support.

Despite securing a promotion at her existing job, Zainab was determined to leverage her newfound skills for her dream career. Just a few months post-graduation, she landed a role as a remote frontend developer at IBTIKAR.

“I got my dream job because of what I learned at Re:Coded and I can’t wait to see what’s next for me!”

Zainab's story is a testament to the power of resilience, tenacity, and the transformative impact of education. Her journey from war-torn Iraq to a thriving career in tech inspires us all to break free from limitations and reach for the stars. Join us in celebrating Zainab's triumph—proof that dreams, when pursued with passion, can indeed become reality. 

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Authors biography

Levent Ahmetoglu

Program Manager

Levent is a manager at Re:Coded, bringing his experience and expertise to the organization since May 2022. Prior to joining Re:Coded, he held significant roles in project management, progressing from the bottom to the top and from the field to the headquarters. Currently, Levent takes the helm in steering Re:Coded’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning Program, where he passionately empowers Re:Coded’s programs to achieve their overall outcomes.

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