Finding her place in tech

Marina Terina’s story is one of reinvention, confidence-building, and embracing new challenges. With a background in legal and HR, Marina was curious about tech but initially thought it was too complicated for her. After completing a full-stack diploma at TAFE, she felt uncertain about how to break into the industry. That’s when she found She Codes, a program that not only offered the technical skills Marina needed but also a supportive community of like-minded women.

"I’ve always been quite curious about tech, but for a long time I thought it was way too complicated and not something I could do. I tried a few different courses online and eventually decided to give it a proper go, so I enrolled in the full-stack diploma at TAFE."

After graduating, I still felt a bit unsure about how to actually break into the industry. That’s when I found She Codes.

For Marina, the She Codes program was a game-changer. It not only gave her coding skills, but it connected her with mentors, peers, and industry experts, creating a support network that helped her gain confidence and continue her growth.

“One of the biggest highlights was the community,” she shares. “Being surrounded by such an inspiring group of people made a huge difference. I always felt supported - there was always someone willing to help, explain a concept, or just cheer me on. That sense of belonging was incredibly motivating. Even after the program ended, we are still in touch, and I can confidently say that She Codes didn’t just give me new skills, it gave me people I can now proudly call friends.”

Marina’s transition into the tech industry has been exciting, challenging, and full of learning opportunities. After completing the She Codes program, Marina took on a project management role, overseeing several eCommerce projects. Although she’s still applying her tech skills in smaller tasks, one of the most rewarding parts of her role is now being able to actively engage in technical discussions.

It’s such a great feeling to contribute meaningfully to technical discussions. So far, it’s been a very exciting and fast-paced journey, but thanks to everything I gained from She Codes, I now feel confident that I can figure things out and keep growing in this space.

Marina’s previous experience in legal and HR has proven to be highly transferable to her new role in tech. Her strong communication, project management, and problem-solving skills have been crucial as she navigates her new career. On the technical side, she’s now proficient in full-stack development, Python, React, Django, and version control with Git. She’s also expanding her expertise to focus on SEO and web performance optimisation.

“The most rewarding part of my role is seeing something we’ve built actually work, and knowing it helps someone,” Marina says. “My goal is to make people’s lives easier by creating a positive, smooth, and efficient online experience. If it saves them time - time they can spend with their loved ones - then I know I’ve done something meaningful.”

Marina’s advice for other women looking to enter the tech industry is simple yet powerful: “Back yourself. You don’t need to know everything to get started. Be curious, keep learning, and never be afraid to ask questions. Surround yourself with a community that lifts you up, like She Codes did for me.”

She encourages anyone considering a career change into tech to embrace continuous learning.

Tech needs diverse voices, and there’s definitely space for you!

Marina Terina’s journey is a powerful reminder of the impact that community, learning, and resilience can have on a career. With the right mindset and the support of She Codes, Marina has found a place in the tech industry and is now passionate about helping others follow in her footsteps.

Since 2017, Robert Walters Perth have sponsored She Codes to help empower and support women in pursuing careers in tech. Learn more about our partnership here.