Martina Divinová is our Junior Software Engineer and she works in our Brno office. She started in our Customer Support team, but after taking relevant courses, an internal Mentoring program, and joining Python Weekend project, she slowly transitioned to Python programming.
“The saying “practice makes perfect” in even more true in programming. I spent a lot of time working on coding exercises, projects, and challenges. Regular practice not only helped my understanding but also improved my problem-solving skills. To become proficient in Python, sometimes I needed to sacrifice leisure activities as I needed consistent practice and study sessions,” said Martina.
Read the interview to hear about her dedication to learning new skills, her career ladder, her work, and her Kiwi.com team.
Hi Martina, tell us a bit about yourself.
Hello, my name is Martina. I come from a small village near Ostrava. I pursued a degree in Optics and Optometry but I decided to join Kiwi.com and try something new. In my free time, I enjoy activities such as swimming, visiting the gym, travelling, reading books and spending time with my family and friends.
You started your Kiwi.com career in our Customer Support team. What motivated you to transition from Customer Support to Python programming?
The transition from Customer Support to Python programming was primarily driven by a desire for greater challenges and career growth. While I found my role in customer support fulfilling initially, over time, I realized that the tasks were not fully tapping into my potential and I was seeking a role that would constantly challenge me to learn and grow.
Python programming caught my attention due to its versatility and its applications across various industries. Also, it’s constantly evolving so there is always something new to learn.
I am a strong believer in continuous self-improvement and I realized that pursuing a path in programming could offer me the growth I needed.
How did you acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to become proficient in Python?
Becoming proficient in Python is a journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to learning. I began with online tutorials, starting with the basics of Python syntax and then I decided to apply for our Kiwi.com Mentoring program. Because of the way we set rules for the program, I was able to effectively gain knowledge of basic Python skills, and it helped me to progress to more difficult topics. I was (and I still am) following the Backend Developer Roadmap as a guide for studying general topics.
Can you tell us a bit more about Python Weekends at Kiwi.com?
Python Weekends at Kiwi.com was an experience that significantly impacted my skills, knowledge, and overall perspective on programming. At that time, it was the biggest and most difficult project I worked on as it was very challenging for my skills and knowledge. The atmosphere was simply amazing and the program gave us a sense of friendship.
Our mentors brought their expertise and real-world experience to the table, guiding us through challenges, answering questions, and providing insights into best practices. We were all actively engaged in coding sessions and worked on real projects. The knowledge and experiences I gained there played a crucial role in shaping my programming journey.
What do you like the most about your team?
Everyone is very helpful! Whenever I encounter challenges or uncertainties, I know I can count on my colleagues to offer guidance and support. My colleagues are very patient and we quickly found a way to communicate with each other. This is more important than it might seem, but if you are coming from a non-IT world like me, the way of explaining difficult topics is a bit different than when you talk to someone who has the same or similar educational background from school. We have in our team a safe environment, where we are encouraged to ask questions when something isn’t clear. This makes collaboration very easy.
Also, our team has very skilled developers, who are always willing to share their knowledge, not only regarding Python, but also from the way how our product works as well as their experience from collaboration with other teams. And it’s not just about working together effectively and sharing knowledge. As our team is based in different Kiwi.com sites, during the year, we all meet multiple times for team building and we go together to play laser tag, and paintball, or we just go for a drink and talk to each other.
Were there any particular challenges you faced during the transition, and how did you overcome them?
Certainly, coming from a background without a strong foundation in IT, I faced difficulties in understanding some technical concepts. Additionally, I needed to change the way I thought and solved problems. I needed to be more specific when writing code. Also code pairings with my teammates are very helpful because I can get immediate feedback and act according to it.
What resources, such as online courses or books, would you recommend to others interested in learning Python from scratch?
I am using Codecademy, which offers interactive Python courses that are great for beginners. The hands-on approach allows you to practice coding in a supportive environment. Codewars provides coding challenges for various programming languages, including Python. It’s a great place to practice problem-solving and improve your Python skills through real coding challenges.
On Real Python there are a lot of articles, tutorials, and video courses that cover a wide range of Python topics. Also, there is official Python documentation, which is a great resource for learning Python, but if you don’t have enough skills, it might be a bit difficult to read and orientate in it.
There are numerous YouTube channels I watch, such as Corey Schafer, ArjanCodes and Tech With Tim. These channels offer tutorials, walkthroughs, and explanations of various Python concepts. And Stack Overflow. It is a place where you can find answers to specific questions, troubleshooting tips, and coding examples.
And the last question, what advice would you give to someone who is considering a similar career transition from Customer Support to Python?
Don’t give up. It will be difficult and challenging, but it’s really worth it!