I never imagined coding would become such a big part of my life. Growing up, I always wished to see more women in tech roles, but I didn’t initially see myself as one of them. My journey began almost by chance: I attended an open evening with my son where coding was being introduced in such an accessible and exciting way. Out of curiosity, I signed up for a session, and from that moment, I was completely hooked.
The First Steps
The first programming language I learned was JavaScript, and it instantly changed the way I saw technology. Its flexibility and the instant feedback in the browser made coding feel interactive and fun. Watching my ideas come to life so quickly gave me the motivation to keep going, to keep building, and to keep learning.
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Like many beginners, I struggled with impostor syndrome. Coding sometimes felt like it wasn’t “for me.” What helped was reminding myself that everyone starts from zero, surrounding myself with supportive communities, and celebrating small wins — whether it was fixing a stubborn bug or finishing a small project. Those small victories added up, giving me the confidence to keep pushing forward.
Building and Giving Back
Some of my most rewarding experiences haven’t just been about the applications I’ve built, but about helping others on their own coding journeys. Supporting learners, seeing their confidence grow, and celebrating their breakthroughs has been just as fulfilling as my personal milestones.
Along the way, I’ve picked up some valuable lessons. One of the most important is that mistakes are not failures, they’re where the real learning happens. Debugging is messy, but it’s also the heart of problem-solving.
Another myth I wish more people understood is that coding isn’t reserved for “maths geniuses.” Yes, logical thinking helps, but coding is really about creativity, persistence, and problem-solving.
Staying Motivated
Like every coder, I hit roadblocks. When I do, I’ve learned the best strategy is to step away, get fresh air, and come back with a clearer perspective. I also remind myself that even the most experienced developers face bugs daily, it’s not a sign of weakness, it’s just part of the process.
For beginners, I always recommend freeCodeCamp. It’s practical, beginner-friendly, and encourages you to start building real projects early, which is key to gaining confidence.
Looking Ahead
As I look to the future, I’m excited about how technology will continue to expand opportunities across industries. Skills like adaptability, problem-solving, and data literacy will remain essential, while fields like AI and machine learning will only become more important.
What excites me most is the potential for coding to create real, positive change — from apps that connect communities to tools that tackle global challenges like climate action. Coding empowers us to build solutions that once felt out of reach.
If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: don’t second-guess yourself — you belong in tech just as much as anyone else.
A Few Fun Reflections
Today, Python and JavaScript remain my favourite languages because of their versatility and power. If coding were a superpower, mine would be the ability to debug instantly, imagine finding and fixing errors in seconds!
And yes, I’ve had my share of funny mishaps. Once, I spent hours trying to figure out why my programme wouldn’t run, only to realise I had named a variable list, completely overwriting Python’s built-in list type. Frustrating in the moment, but now a story that makes me (and others) laugh.
Final Thoughts
My coding journey has been full of curiosity, challenges, and growth, and it’s still unfolding. More than anything, I’ve learned that coding is less about perfection and more about persistence, creativity, and community.
That’s why I love my role at Code Nation, inspiring and teaching the next generation of programmers and tech talent. I’m lucky to support a range of individuals, from those starting out to professionals upskilling and advancing their careers.
If you’re just starting out, remember this: every coder you admire was once a beginner too.
Jenny Collings
Instructor, Data Analysis and Power BI
Code Nation Instructor
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