In light of our new partnership with Every Mother Knows and TechMeUp — a Mothers in Tech initiative designed to empower mothers to make a career shift into tech — we are proud to highlight the journey of two incredible Le Wagon alumni. Silvia and Maiia recently completed Le Wagon’s Web Development bootcamp in Amsterdam, taking on the challenge of reshaping their lives to enter the tech world.
In this blog post, these two mothers will discuss how they transitioned into web development, the skills they gained, and the obstacles they faced. Let’s dive into their stories.
Can you share your background and what initially motivated you to switch to tech?
M: I moved from Kyiv to Amsterdam 13 years ago, with a degree in English and German Philology. I’d been working in customer service, supporting new parents, but the pandemic made me want a career that was more intellectually challenging. My husband, a backend developer, suggested front-end development. At first, it felt overwhelming and too technical, but I couldn’t ignore the excitement of learning something new.
S: I studied Design and worked as a Graphic Designer before life took an exciting turn – I became a mum, moved to the Netherlands, and joined Booking.com in Customer Service. After a few years, though, I knew I was ready for more. A bit of soul-searching led me back to a lifelong curiosity: tech – a field of endless possibilities, continuous learning, and working flexibility – perfect for a lifelong learner like me. I took the plunge, and now, one month after finishing Web Development bootcamp, I’m thrilled with my choice to pursue this inspiring path!
How did you first hear about Le Wagon, and what convinced you that doing a Web Development bootcamp was the right fit?
M: Once I decided on a bootcamp, I researched different options, reading reviews, watching videos, and speaking with former students. Le Wagon Amsterdam stood out for its welcoming vibe and was the only training offering in-person classes, which was essential for me. I felt confident that they would support me as a beginner and guide me every step of the way.
S: My attention was caught by their option for in-person, full-time study. As I started my research earlier this year, I attended a few Le Wagon events and reached out to alumni on LinkedIn. Le Wagon stood out as the ideal choice, especially for someone like me who was eager to dive deep into the backend and full-stack development. It felt like the perfect environment for a focused, immersive learning experience, and the in-person format made it feel much more engaging and hands-on.
Could you walk us through your experience during your Web Development bootcamp at Le Wagon?
M: It was tough and intense but incredibly rewarding. Every day brought new challenges and growth, both personally and professionally. I held onto my batch manager’s advice to “trust the process,” and looking back, it was worth every effort. I not only gained technical skills but also the confidence to see myself as a web developer.
S: I opted for the full-time study, and it was an intense, all-in experience! Each day began with a class on new concepts, followed by coding challenges to apply what we’d just learned. Pairing with a new buddy daily gave me a chance to learn with different people and gain fresh perspectives on tackling challenges, while 1:1 support from teachers was invaluable. Toward the end, we built an Airbnb clone and then our final project, WeTaste – a community-driven site for food lovers. From pitching ideas to design to coding, this project gave us a true taste of real-world teamwork. It was thrilling and a major learning journey!
What specific skills did you gain from the bootcamp that have been most valuable to you to start a new career in tech?
M: The most valuable thing for me was getting a web developer identity. During my 9-weeks journey, I learned practical coding skills that allow me to build complete web applications from the ground up. I can now use tools like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Ruby on Rails, SQL, and Git, and even add AI features to create interactive, user-friendly websites. Plus, I gained a lot of soft skills as well — from working in a team to pitching ideas.
S: Given my prior experience, the bootcamp’s most valuable skills were both technical and mindset-based. I gained essential hard skills but also a new way of thinking – learning to embrace the process, cope with the frustration of errors, and stay patient when answers didn’t come right away. In coding, there are no shortcuts!
Were there any moments during the bootcamp that stood out as particularly rewarding or challenging?
M: I would say it was challenging to work on a final project and pitching it at the final presentation at the Demo Day as I’ve never pitched before. Also doing the coding challenges was tricky. I remember the rewarding feeling when I completed a challenge by myself not having to ask for help for the first time. I felt like I was on the top of the world.
S: Learning Ruby and tackling my first two-day challenge – making a food delivery app function – was a major highlight for me. I felt like I could conquer the world when it finally worked! The final project was another high point, where we got to bring our own ideas to life and apply everything we’d learned. The most challenging aspect? Managing the sheer intensity of it all. For nine weeks, it was pretty much code, eat, sleep, repeat – a true emotional roller coaster!
As a mother, balancing your time is a big challenge. How did you manage your family responsibilities alongside the requirements of the bootcamp?
M: Balancing time, energy, focus, and priorities was essential. My husband and I agreed that my family needed to fully support me during this time. We’re an expat family, so with no extended family nearby, my husband adjusted his schedule to take on more of our 5-year-old son’s care. Evenings were reserved for family time and I made sure to spend quality time with my son. This helped him feel connected and made the bootcamp more manageable for me.
S: I called in help – I couldn’t have done it any other way. As a solo parent, I planned to do the bootcamp during the summer holidays to ease up on the usual routines. My mum was a lifesaver, managing things at home so I could fully focus on the bootcamp. It involved planning, a strong will, and using weekends to rest and organize whatever was needed for the week ahead. I learned to rely on others, let go of perfection, and focus on coding, staying healthy, and enjoying small moments with my son.
Were there any points in the process where you felt overwhelmed? If so, What strategies or tools helped you stay motivated and focused during those times?
M: My strategy was to be open about my challenges and talked over it with my batch manager, who gave me so much support. Connecting with my peers and supporting each other helped a lot as well. I also enjoyed participating in community events on campus like yoga, potluck lunch, ping pong and afterwork networking activities.
S: Definitely! The experience was intense, and I think everyone reaches a point where it all feels like too much. I’d spoken with several Le Wagon alumni, so I knew there would be tough moments and that everyone faces them. My classmates were a huge support, sharing feelings and experiences. In the most overwhelming moments, I reached out to the teachers, who were incredibly patient and guided me through. I also reminded myself daily to “embrace and trust the process” and let go of perfection!
Many mothers might find the thought of making a major career change intimidating. What would you say to mothers who are considering entering tech but are hesitant?
M: Changing careers is hard and intimidating. But I truly believe that we mothers can take our experience of motherhood and rely on it. Take it as an example of our capability to face the complexity of transition. We have the resilience and strength to achieve anything. That is what helped me to move on toward my dream.
S: Motherhood can be a major asset in tech – mothers are naturally resilient and resourceful. If you’re feeling hesitant, reach out to others who’ve gone through a similar transition; speaking with people who’ve done it helped me tremendously. I still have my fears, like wondering if I’ll succeed or meet my own goals, but I’m hopeful that this journey will teach both me and my son invaluable lessons about making big changes and facing challenges. It’s not easy, but it’s possible!
How has joining the tech field impacted your life and your family? Do you have any insights into the benefits of this change for others in a similar position?
M: I feel happier, more fulfilled, and in the right place. Pursuing my dream has brought a sense of joy that resonates with my family. If you’re a mother considering this path, know that it’s challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Don’t underestimate your strength — you’ve got what it takes to thrive in tech!
S: I’m still at the beginning of this journey, but I can already say that investing in myself has made me a better mother. I’m more motivated than ever, and my son sees me pursuing something meaningful. This shift isn’t just about a career change – it’s about setting an example of courage, adaptability, and lifelong learning. For mothers considering tech, know that this journey can enrich both your life and your family’s in ways you might not expect.
Our alumni not only shared their journeys into tech but also provided actionable advice for mothers who might be considering a similar leap.
If these stories resonate with you and you’re inspired to explore how Le Wagon supports women in tech, learn more about our Mother in Tech initiative here.
Additionally, you can book a call with one of our advisors to discuss your goals and how Le Wagon can help.
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