Interview with Adina Gaciu, Intro in IT and Programming Course Graduate. „Here, Mentors Change Students' Lives”

„Words can't describe how much my life has changed, I wish I could tell an even better story about my experience at the Informal School of IT”, Adina tells us at the end of the interview.

„I fulfilled my dream. From now on, <> for me”. A dream come true when, in the end, life brought her into the role that suits her best: that of a PHP programmer.

„I used to say I wanted to be an actress, when I was a child, because the technical professions, the ones I truly liked — engineer, mathematician — were for boys.

My family encouraged me to choose something suitable for a girl. But also to study, so I could get where I wanted”.

Today Adina Gaciu is 32, and after a long career in banking and finance, she wanted to follow the path she chose back in childhood. Her favorite game was putting things together and taking them apart, looking for solutions.

She remembers that as well as the first computer she had at 14: a desktop with an Intel Pentium 4 processor, „it was the best of its generation at the time”.

Software Developer, graduate of the beginner course Intro in IT – Introduction to Programming and Software Testing  and then of the PHP Development programming course at the Informal School of IT, Adina Gaciu tells us about the path that brought her where she wanted to be: „ to be able to do my job, every day, with passion”.

I saw two ads: the first from Google, the Udacity scholarships, the second from the Informal School of IT.

1. Why IT?

I've been passionate about the technical field for as long as I can remember. I always noticed I had an ease, compared to others, in using an application or putting together a computer.

I graduated from a Math-Informatics high school, but at the last moment I decided to head toward a career in banking and finance. My heart stayed with programming.

I was always watching tutorials on the Internet, but on October 10 I saw two ads for IT and PHP programming courses: the first from Google, the Udacity scholarships, and the second from the Informal School of IT.

I applied instantly to both, went through tests, even though the whole time I doubted it was possible for me to return to programming.

On October 16, I remember, I got the answer: I was accepted at the Informal School of IT. For the first time, after a 10-year break from programming, I felt that was where I belonged. On October 18 I started the Intro in IT courses.

The best birthday present was getting admitted to the Informal School of IT. I also won the Google – Udacity scholarship and got access to a Front-end Developer course.

Read other success stories too:
What Does It Mean for a Pharmacist to Become a Programmer? Xenia Petrea Talks About Passion
„Your Course Was a Lesson That Changed My Life”. The Message That Closed Out the Year for the Informal School of IT

2. How did you see the programming industry when you first started dabbling in the field, and how do you see it now?

I knew from friends that you always have new things to learn, but I imagined you get to the office in the morning, sit down at a computer and that's it: you don't get up until you leave.

After graduating from the IT and PHP programming courses, I understood that programming is also fun. That at the office you have friends, not just colleagues, that the “boss” is a leader who guides you so you can grow. Writing code is truly fascinating. Yes, you really can change the world with a line of code.

You set your own limits. Even the most trivial task needs creativity, planning and a lot of trial and error, until — as they say — a diamond becomes a stone.

3. What made you apply to the Informal School of IT?

I believed then, and I still firmly believe now: education is the most valuable asset we have. We learn our whole lives. After finishing the Intro in IT course I knew I'd found my calling and that I couldn't stop. I had to learn more, to become even better, to get where I set out to: reinvent my career.

I continued with an HTML, CSS and JavaScript programming course, and PHP Development. Everything I learned in Intro in IT was there to build a foundation I could continue from.

I want to say that the Informal School of IT was a different kind of school: the PHP programming courses are taught by mentors who help you discover your strengths, with a lot of hands-on practice, with lessons that slowly, slowly turned into applications.

He supported me from the very first moment and trusted that I'd succeed.

4. How would you describe, in simple terms, what PHP Development means?

PHP is a programming language that modifies web pages before they're sent from the server to users' browsers. Over 50% of web applications today are built in PHP. The best example is Facebook. In other words, PHP Development means being able to build your own high-performance websites and online applications.

5. What skills do you think you should start out with in PHP Development?

• Hard Skills: PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL – these are programming languages you need to know.
• Soft Skills: teamwork, creativity, a solutions- and problem-solving-oriented mindset.

The PHP Development course curriculum at the Informal School of IT is built around employers' needs. We learned exactly what's necessary to start a career in this field, new for me and for most of the students.

It should be noted that the Informal School of IT's online IT courses teach both programming languages and the specific working methods and practices used at IT companies. A student's journey starts with solving math problems, continues through understanding how a program works, and reaches the development of the first application within the school.

6. From the course sessions, what do you remember most…

…our mentor, Daniel Ianosi. He supported me from the very first moment and trusted that I'd succeed, even in the moments when I no longer believed in myself.

I think that without mentors, the online PHP Development programming course wouldn't have been the same. Daniel's passion and dedication to teaching us, to passing on his IT industry experience, helped me change my life.

I can confirm, they're real. They're stories about success built on a lot of hard work and desire

7. How would you describe the role and contribution of mentors in a student's life?

There's a lot to say. I won the Google – Udacity scholarship. I got access to a Front-end Developer course worth 3,000 dollars, and even so, the experience wasn't the same as at the Informal School of IT.

There was no one next to me to explain why an error appeared, why a particular tag had to be written, why I had to think algorithmically. There was no one to give me support when the training videos felt like they were speaking Chinese to me, being a beginner.

I say it with confidence: the Informal School of IT and the mentors it brings in front of students change lives. I know a lot of people look at the school's website and don't believe the success stories. I can confirm, they're real. They're stories about success built on a lot of hard work and the desire to reinvent yourself professionally. Mentors give you clear direction and help you make progress, they don't just teach you a lesson.

Read other success stories too:
The Psychologist Who Became an IT Professional. Bogdan Pașca's Story, a JAVA Course Graduate
Irina's Story, QA Complete Graduate. From Event Organizer to Software Tester

8. What was the job interview like?

I had several interviews. I went to the first ones with a bit of fear, worried I'd be considered too “old” for a junior position. My biggest fear was that I wasn't good enough to find a job in IT.

I've always had way too high expectations of myself. Looking at the requirements in job postings, sometimes it felt like they were asking for UFOs and I couldn't offer that. With my mentor's help, I gained confidence and became more relaxed, I learned to stop undervaluing myself, and after that the results came right away.

Advice for students: don't give up easily, listen to your mentors' advice.

I'm proud to say it: I'm a Software Developer. I found the right job for me, with patient people who help me keep developing. These two educational programs helped me live my dream: to be able to do my job with passion.

9. A piece of advice for the reader of this interview…

For you, reading my story right now: stop hesitating! Apply to the online PHP programming course, be confident that you'll find your place. The world is moving, and you have to move along with it. The best investment is in yourself and your education.

Now, after hard work, disappointments and joys, if I went back in time, I'd do it all the same. I'd apply to the Informal School of IT again.

Why Take the Online Intro in IT and Programming for Beginners Course?

The online Intro in IT – Introduction to Programming and Software Testing course offers an engaging introduction to the world of IT, aimed at beginners with no experience in the field. Participants in the mentor-led Intro in IT course will learn how applications and websites are created, guided step by step through the fundamental concepts of programming and software testing.

The Introduction to Programming and Software Testing course is based on practical, relevant examples, on acquiring knowledge and skills useful for a successful career in IT, as programmers, software testers or other IT specializations.

Experienced mentors also offer students personalized support and guidance, answer all their questions, and help them find the right path.

Intro in IT and Programming Course. Enroll now!