Life-Changing Choices: BDA Colleagues Sharing Their Experience After Completing Riga TechGirls Programs

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Stepping out of your comfort zone to expand your knowledge, acquire new skills, and foster personal growth is not always easy but incredibly valuable for anyone. The non-profit organization Riga TechGirls provides an opportunity for people to explore the vast world of technology for free and learn about in-demand professions and fields.

Four of our colleagues—BDA’s CEO Laima Ziediņa-Mikaljuna, Head of Learning Solutions Department Dace Alekna, Client Relationship Manager Dace Laizāne, and Content Developer Sabīne Blūmentāle—have completed several Riga TechGirls’ learning programs. They are here to share their experiences, discoveries, and insights about their journey.

Please tell, what motivated you to join the Riga TechGirls programs?

Laima: The IT sector wasn’t new to me, as I had worked on ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning, now Microsoft Dynamics 365) implementation projects and export deals between 2002 and 2008. However, the industry evolves rapidly, and I wanted to grow alongside it while assessing my current knowledge. The Riga TechGirls program stood out because it was diverse, offering a broad overview of IT and specific fields in a short, convenient format.

Dace A.: Similar to Laima, I hadn’t worked in IT before and wanted to explore various directions within the field. It was important to understand whether IT interested me and which areas appealed the most. At the time, my work was not related to this sector.

Dace L.: My primary motivation was a career change. I wanted to discover what interested me and where to steer my professional path next.

Sabīne: Like my colleagues, I was intrigued by the program content and curious to learn about a field unfamiliar and unexplored to me until then.

Which topics in the program captured your interest the most?

Laima: I particularly enjoyed the sessions on Artificial Intelligence (AI), User Experience (UX), and User Interface (UI).

Sabīne: I also really enjoyed the UX/UI class. Topics like certified testing and programming languages, as well as engineering, caught my attention.

Dace A.: I agree; UX is a fascinating field worth exploring. I also appreciated sessions on design thinking, which is beneficial not just in IT but in any area.

Dace L.: I was most intrigued by the personal stories of the instructors—the journeys that brought each specialist to where they are today. These were incredibly valuable and inspiring!

Are you able to apply the knowledge gained in your daily life? Have you delved deeper into any specific topics?

Sabīne: Since programming piqued my interest, I decided to further develop in this area by joining the Python Challenge organized by She Can Do IT.

Laima: After completing the program, I took a certified Scrum Product Owner course, focusing on Agile methodology to grasp its core principles and incorporate them into BDA, fostering growth and development.

A Life-Changing Decisions

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For our colleagues Dace A. and Dace L., participating in Riga TechGirls programs was a pivotal moment that encouraged them to change careers and embark on a new professional journey.

Dace L.: Thanks to the information I gained through the program, I changed jobs. At the time, I was working in the energy sector, but now I’m part of BDA, which offers over 250 learning opportunities, including IT and personal development courses in Latvia, the Baltics, and Europe. I’ve never regretted this decision—it has allowed me to grow and evolve in a new direction.

Dace A.: My story is similar. While completing the Riga TechGirls program, I began working at BDA, which helped me immensely. Understanding IT jargon and concepts became much easier, and I could link theoretical knowledge to practical work. This improved my communication with clients and helped me identify the best training solutions for their needs.

A Supportive, Engaging, and Encouraging Environment

Our colleagues unanimously agree that Riga TechGirls provides an engaging, supportive, and inspiring learning environment that fosters both personal and professional growth.

Both the practical workshops and self-examination tests, as well as the knowledgeable and experienced instructors, who know how to explain complex topics in simple words, remain in the memory.

What stood out to you most after completing the programs?

Dace L.: The amazing people I met—highly skilled professionals. I also appreciated the networking opportunities, allowing me to build new connections and friendships with like-minded individuals.

Dace A.: For me, it was the comprehensive insight into IT, which showed me that it’s not just about hardware or complex technical devices. IT is highly creative, and there’s a place for everyone in this field.

Laima: I appreciate the opportunity to participate in online workshops addressing real-world scenarios, such as planning a system to notify the entire Latvian population in crisis situations.

Sabīne: I valued the opportunity to attend Tea Evening events, visiting well-known Latvian companies, and hiking trips that combined outdoor activities with networking among participants and organizers.

What’s your greatest takeaway from the program?

Dace A.: The more you learn and explore, the more you enjoy it, eventually becoming eager to learn more. However, finding time for learning is key, which comes down to setting priorities.

Laima: To complement Dace’s point, it’s essential to find a format that fits your schedule, enabling you to dedicate even a short time weekly to personal development.

Sabīne: In this century, everything is possible. You don’t need to wait 10 or 20 years to retrain and pursue what you love and find interesting. The key is maintaining your passion and courage to try something new, even if it seems impossible at first.

Dace L.: Change isn’t always easy, but it’s valuable and often necessary.

What would you say to someone considering stepping into the tech world?

Laima: The knowledge you gain from Riga TechGirls programs will benefit you both professionally and personally. Don’t worry if you have no prior experience in IT—the program welcomes everyone, regardless of age, gender, or profession.

Dace A.: When I enrolled, I didn’t anticipate that the skills I gained would help me land my desired job, but they did. Believe in yourself, and you’ll succeed!

Sabīne: Self-improvement is a priceless investment in your growth. Even if you lack confidence, take the risk—you’ll see how many opportunities open up.

Dace L.: Go for it! The program is incredibly valuable, and the people you meet are fantastic. Take advantage of the global networking opportunities, as participants come from various countries, not just Latvia.

Laima: Upon taking on the role of CEO at BDA, one of my initiatives was to establish a long-term collaboration with Riga TechGirls, as the program participants are highly inquisitive and eager to continue their development even after completing the training program. While the program provides a solid foundation of basic knowledge, we, as a training company, represent the next step. Successfully completing a BDA course and passing the exam grants an internationally recognized certification, highly valued in the job market, enhancing the chances of securing a desired job or transitioning into a completely new professional direction.

At BDA, we’re proud to support Riga TechGirls’ “Discover Technology” program for the second year. This year, 10 program graduates will win the chance to continue their development by taking two of our popular courses for free:

Choose what excites you most from our course catalog and start your journey of growth with a trusted, high-quality learning partner!