Spotlight Stories: From Aspiration to Action - Ana DuCristea’s Journey in Tech
Ana DuCristea | Tech Pioneer & Accessibility Innovator
In the first edition of the AthenaCodes Spotlight Stories, I’d like to feature an inspiring journey, one that will resonate with young women in tech and anyone who is seeking to carve a path in this exciting industry. Today, I have the honour of featuring Ana DuCristea, a Software Developer Intern at D2L and a Computer Science Schulich Leader at the University of Calgary.
Early Inclination toward STEM
Growing up, Ana was fortunate to have parents who encouraged her interest in STEM. In her early years, her curiosity was piqued by a resource her parents provided - a free online Python book titled "Invent Your Own Computer Games With Python". This book laid the groundwork for Ana's journey into programming. She embarked on creating numerous small projects, which incrementally contributed to an impressive portfolio. This portfolio would later play a crucial role in her landing an internship at Arcurve, even before she had finished high school.
Overcoming Isolation in the Tech Journey
Just like every journey, Ana's path toward her tech career wasn't without obstacles. One of the significant challenges she encountered was the sense of isolation. Despite her enthusiasm for programming, she found that her peers didn't share the same interest, which often left her feeling alone in her pursuits.
However, Ana didn't let this discourage her. Instead, she turned it into an opportunity to develop her independence and self-motivation. She proactively sought online resources, learned to troubleshoot independently and set personal milestones.
To connect with like-minded individuals, she started a club and became an active participant in hackathons and robotics initiatives. These steps not only helped her expand her network but also opened avenues for learning new skills and working on exciting projects.
Making a Mark in Tech
Ana has made a substantial impact even in the early stages of her tech career. Her contributions range from the tangible, such as her open-source projects aimed at improving accessibility, to the intangible, like challenging the conventional wisdom that value comes only with seniority or from top-tier tech universities.
Ana's accessibility-focused projects include a puff-suck Morse code input device, which aids people with limited-to-no arm mobility, and an automatic subtitle syncer. In addition, her initiative to establish the first high school internships at Arcurve demonstrates her ability to create opportunities where none seemingly existed. Ana's creativity is also showcased in a fun, light-hearted project aptly named Fartknight, reminding us that there's a place for humour and enjoyment in tech.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Women in Tech
Ana's advice for women and other underrepresented groups in tech is both empowering and practical:
"Take advantage of the programs and resources for people like you (such as the ones listed on this website), and never feel like an impostor and procrastinate applying because of it.”
“ Don't be intimidated by "boys' clubs", such as a robotics team that's all/almost all boys (or any other group of people). Trust your judgment of course, but you can be a pioneer and show others how it's done!”
“Your special perspective and experience is an advantage, not a disadvantage”
Discover More About Ana
To learn more about Ana's projects and her ongoing contributions to the tech industry, I encourage you to visit her LinkedIn profile and explore her Github. Her projects are not only a testament to her skills but also a reflection of her dedication to creating a more accessible tech environment.
Additionally, check out FartKnight, a fun, complex Unity game Ana has recently developed!
Closing Thoughts
As a fellow alumna of the same high school, I have been personally inspired by Ana's journey. I've seen firsthand her intelligence and drive. Her story is a testament to the power of curiosity, resilience, and initiative. By following her passion for tech and navigating the challenges with determination, Ana is not only forging a successful path for herself but also inspiring and opening doors for others to do the same.
I hope Ana's journey inspires every young woman reading this post to pursue their passion in tech, take up challenges head-on, and remember - your unique perspective is indeed a strength that can help you stand out and make an impact!
