To briefly introduce myself, I would like to start by saying that every step I’ve gone through in life, even the difficult ones, has shaped who I am today and prepared me for my future.
I began my career teaching computer science in Saudi Arabia, where I spent over ten years as an educator. Teaching helped me develop strong communication, patience, and leadership skills. While I’m grateful for that experience, I always felt that it wasn’t the path I truly wanted to pursue long term.
Making the decision to immigrate to Canada was one of the hardest choices of my life. I arrived as a single mother, raising my child while trying to rebuild my career from the ground up. The beginning was challenging, emotionally, financially, and personally. There were moments of doubt and exhaustion, but I kept moving forward.
At some point, I made a clear decision, I didn’t want to continue in teaching. I wanted to challenge myself and transition into coding, something I had always been passionate about. I decided to invest in myself and pursue further education in software development. I started researching colleges, connecting with web developers across Canada, and asking for advice. I reached out to many professionals on LinkedIn, and I was fortunate to receive thoughtful responses, encouragement, and guidance.
With so many options and recommendations, it felt overwhelming at first. I knew I had limited time and needed to make a firm decision. Then someone reached out to me on LinkedIn and gave me valuable advice about studying at Juno College, formerly HackerYou. After researching the program, its curriculum, location, reviews, and community, I felt confident it was the right choice.
I took that step and never looked back.
Today, I regret none of the decisions I made. Every challenge strengthened me, and every risk helped me grow. My journey from teaching to software development has been transformative, and I am proud of how far I’ve come.
Abir Halwa
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