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FROM CFGDEGREE TO SECCL: MEET SOFTWARE ENGINEER, DEEQA
It’s a swelteringly hot Friday afternoon in London, but when I sit down to chat with Deeqa, a London-based software engineer, she’s all smiles – and for good reason.
Five years after completing the CFGdegree (Code First Girls’ intensive four-month advanced programme), Deeqa is taking her next big step in tech. This time, she’s entering the world of fintech as a software engineer at Seccl. A forward-thinking company that provides backend infrastructure for investment platforms, financial advisers, and fintech apps, Seccl is actively investing in female tech talent through its partnership with CFG.
Read on to hear Deeqa’s advice on changing careers, joining Seccl, and why more women should consider a future in tech.
Q: You originally studied civil engineering at university. What motivated you to pivot into software engineering, and how did Code First Girls help launch that transition?
Deeqa: After finishing university, I realised I wanted to pivot into a different field. I chose to do the Code First Girls foundation programme, the CFGdegree. Through the programme, I secured an internship with the EdTech company, Perlego. It was a brilliant place to start my career. I ended up staying there for four and a half years.
Q: You’re now a few weeks into your new role as a Software Engineer at Seccl. How has the onboarding experience been?
Deeqa: It’s been fantastic. Before applying, I spent time researching Seccl and reading the company blog. It came across as a genuinely welcoming place to work, and my experience so far has completely lived up to that.
I’m part of the trading team, so there’s been lots to learn, from new terminology and codebases to meeting colleagues across the business. It’s been a really exciting start.
Q: What has your experience been like as a woman in tech, especially transitioning from EdTech to Fintech?
Deeqa: Tech can feel intimidating because it’s still a male-dominated industry. That’s why Code First Girls is such a valuable starting point. It gives women the opportunity to learn, grow and see others succeeding.
Fintech has been a different challenge. It’s highly regulated, security-focused and can feel more male-dominated. But Seccl has such a welcoming culture that I’ve never felt disadvantaged.
Q: What's been the biggest contributor to your success?
Deeqa: Great mentors and managers. Also, tech never stands still, so you can’t stop learning and be complacent. Seccl really invests in that. We have Learning Fridays, where we spend the afternoon learning something new before sharing it with the team. There are also dedicated learning budgets to keep developing our skills.
Q: What advice would you give to other women who are considering a career in tech?
Deeqa: It can feel hard to break into the industry. If you are a woman interested in becoming a software engineer, my biggest advice is: don’t let the industry intimidate you. We need more women in this space.
Thanks Deeqa and good luck in your role!
