Building confidence in tech

Sicilia Perumalsamy’s journey into tech is a story of determination, growth, and empowerment. With a background in healthcare and research, Sicilia transitioned into the world of tech with the help of She Codes, an experience that has transformed both her skills and confidence. Thanks to the She Codes program, supported by Robert Walters, Sicilia has gained the confidence to thrive in her role as an Integration Developer and continue her growth in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

I joined She Codes while already working as an Integration Developer, but I felt I needed to strengthen my fundamentals and build confidence in my technical abilities—especially since I came into the field without a traditional IT background.

She chose She Codes because of its hands-on learning environment and its focus on helping women excel in tech. The program gave her the opportunity to refine her skills and understand core programming concepts more thoroughly. 

Sicilia explains, “The program gave me the space to really understand core programming concepts, work on full-stack projects, and fill in some of the gaps I had from learning on the job. It also helped me communicate more confidently with technical teams and feel more grounded in my role.”

One of the most impactful moments for Sicilia was the opportunity to build a full-stack web application from scratch. She had the chance to apply both frontend and backend skills, a moment that marked a turning point in her confidence.

“Coming from an integration background, I was used to working behind the scenes with systems and data,” Sicilia reflects.

Being able to build something end-to-end, design the user experience, and actually see it come to life in the browser was incredibly rewarding.

In addition to strengthening her technical abilities, Sicilia’s experience at She Codes has helped her grow as a problem solver and team collaborator. With certifications and hands-on experience, she continues to improve her technical knowledge while applying it to real-world projects.

Sicilia’s path to the tech industry wasn’t conventional. “I came from a healthcare and research background and transitioned into tech through grit, curiosity, and a love for problem-solving,” she says. Starting as an Integration Developer, Sicilia has earned multiple certifications and has worked across both startup and corporate environments. She focuses on integrating data across platforms in a way that is efficient, reliable, and scalable.

The most rewarding part of my role is knowing that the work I do behind the scenes directly enables critical business processes to run smoothly.

“As an Integration Developer, I help connect systems that otherwise wouldn’t talk to each other—and when those integrations work seamlessly, it has a huge impact on efficiency, data accuracy, and ultimately decision-making.”

For women entering the tech field, Sicilia has some key advice: “Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready—just start. You don’t need to have a computer science degree or know everything to begin your journey in tech. Curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to learn go a long way.” She encourages others to embrace their unique perspective and find supportive communities like She Codes, where they can grow and thrive.

Sicilia’s journey is a shining example of how the right resources, mindset, and community can help women succeed in tech. Her story emphasizes that anyone, regardless of their background, can build confidence and make a real impact in the tech world.

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.