A background outside of tech

When Paris was still living in Iran, she studied nursing. Later, she ran a flower shop. Not because she lacked ambition, but because that was the path available to her at the time. After moving to Amsterdam, something started to shift. She wanted something new. Something bigger. Something with impact.

She became interested in technology and software development, but doubted whether it was realistic without a technical education.

“I felt like I was behind. Everyone around me seemed to come from a traditional path.”

That feeling is familiar to many people considering a switch to IT. As if others have a head start. As if you are starting too late. As if you first need to catch up before you’re allowed to belong.

Learning to code without a fixed profile

At Codam, Paris entered a learning environment where her background wasn’t seen as a disadvantage, but simply as part of who she was. No one expected her to already know how to code. What was expected was motivation, curiosity, and persistence.

Gradually, her perspective changed.

“Your background doesn’t define your future. Your mindset does.”

Instead of trying to fit a predefined image of what a software engineer should look like, she started discovering how she fit into tech. She worked on programming projects, studied algorithms, and learned by collaborating with others. Not by doing everything alone, but by asking questions and learning together.

From doubt to working as a software engineer

Today, Paris works as a junior software engineer at Booking.com. Not through shortcuts. Not through a smooth, effortless journey. But through a real and gradual transformation.

From doubting herself to trusting her ability to learn.

From thinking she wasn’t technical enough to working daily in a professional software team.

She puts it simply:

“Working in tech isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about learning, asking questions, and adapting. If you bring something different to the table, that’s not a weakness. That’s your strength.”

What this says about switching careers with Codam

Stories like this are not exceptions. They show what becomes possible when people learn to code in an environment that doesn’t select on diplomas, but on motivation and effort. Where making mistakes is part of learning. Where growth matters more than perfection.

That doesn’t mean switching to software engineering is easy.
It does mean it’s realistic.

Wondering if this path could work for you?

If you’re considering Codam and wondering whether this route into tech could work for you, you’re exactly where many students were before they started. Not certain. But curious.

You don’t need to prove that you already know how to code.
You just need to be willing to learn.

Register for the next Piscine and discover whether this way of learning and switching careers fits you.