International Women in Engineering Day

Spotlighting the talent and careers of women engineers

Celebrate International Women in Engineering Day with us as we spotlight the talents and stories of some of the women engineers at Shine. We are privileged and proud to share the careers of these women at Shine.

As a technology business, where gender balance is a constant focus, we work hard to create a culture that provides women the opportunity to thrive whether they come from traditional pathways and educational backgrounds or transition from other industries. Discover the stories, achievements and contributions of these remarkable women and how they have built their profiles at Shine and in the software engineering community.

Dalia – Bridging passions into software engineering

From verbal languages to coding languages
Dalia brings a unique blend of linguistic mastery and a love for problem-solving to her role as a Software Engineer at Shine. After pursuing an arts degree and exploring various interests, Dalia’s love for languages led her to Germany during the pandemic. A friend’s suggestion to try Python scripting that sparked her interest in programming. “I realised programming is a lot like languages—mapping concepts and structure.”

Dalia’s path to software engineering
Over several years, Dalia honed her programming skills independently. It wasn’t until encouragement from a friend that she seriously considered a career shift. Pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Information Technology validated her self-taught knowledge and led her towards her first professional role at Shine. “The IT field is huge,” she shares, “and every day, I’m catching up and learning something new. Seeing ideas transform into functional programs is incredibly satisfying”.

Inspiration and support
Dalia credits her mother with instilling a love of learning and self-reliance. “She taught me to ‘learn how to learn and to never shy away from exploring new concepts. I’ve been fortunate to work with inspiring colleagues at Shine who foster my growth and believe in my abilities.”

Dalia has recently been promoted from Analyst to Software Engineer at Shine. We are excited to continue to provide career opportunities to Dalia and to see her achieve in line with her aspirations, supported by mentors who recognize her potential and challenge her to excel.

Joy – From dreams to reality

Raised in the Philippines with childhood dreams of becoming a medical doctor, practicality initially led Joy to pursue IT for job security. After time out to focus on family and briefly explore the healthcare sector, she rediscovered her passion for technology. “I found my place, where I excel and find my ikigai in problem-solving—something stable and aligned with my skills.”

Joy thrives on the constant problem-solving challenge in the ever-changing software engineering landscape. “It never grows old,” she shares, “there’s always something new to learn, and each problem solved brings valuable lessons for the future.”

Navigating challenges
Returning to the tech world after a nine-year hiatus was daunting. “I felt like a fossilised dinosaur,” Joy said, recalling the leap from outdated practices to agile methodologies and modern languages. Reentering the workforce was sometimes disheartening, but she persisted and found a role in customer support, then technical support; keeping her connection to the industry. Joining Shine a little over a year ago,

Joy has embraced the opportunity to focus on her return to Software Engineering. “Here I am now, not only thriving myself but giving back. The Shine team has taken my upskilling seriously, which I am greatly thankful for, and now I am helping others upskill”.

Looking forward
Looking to the future, Joy emphasises the importance of perseverance and self-belief, urging others to pursue what they love. “It took me four decades to realise my true calling,” she admits, “and I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to do what I love. Every day is an opportunity to hone my skills and to inspire young people not to limit themselves.”

Joy has recently been promoted from Analyst to Engineer, and she continues to contribute technically to her team and clients. Anyone who knows Joy also knows that she is an asset to Shine’s culture, bringing positive energy and demonstrating the Shine values in her every interaction.

Sampurna – Moving beyond the technical

Sampurna is a senior full-stack software engineer with a passion for problem-solving and a drive to make a difference in the tech industry. Sampurna’s 10-year journey is marked by resilience, determination, and a commitment to fostering inclusivity and growth within the field of software engineering.

Journey into software engineering
Solving problems is at the core of what inspired Sampurna. From a young age, Sam loved maths and was fascinated by how technology could be used to solve problems and make a real impact. “Being part of a dynamic industry constantly evolving and pushing boundaries is incredibly exciting to me, and it keeps me passionate about my work.”

Raised in a dynamic environment due to her father’s work as a textile engineer, Sampurna lived and was educated across Nigeria and India, adapting to diverse cultural and educational landscapes. After completing her studies, she embarked on her professional career as a Developer in India, gaining valuable experience over four years before moving to Australia.

Embracing change and growth
With courage and only $2000 in hand, she moved to Australia, where she quickly secured a job. Adapting to a new environment wasn’t without its challenges, but Sampurna’s proactive approach led her to engage with communities and expand her network. “I grew my passion for giving back,” she reflects, highlighting her volunteer work mentoring students globally through organisations Techtonica, Code Like A Girl, and General Assembly. Sampurna actively creates content on advanced web development, demonstrating her dedication to continuous learning and sharing knowledge.

Unique perspectives and contributions
When asked about the unique perspectives women bring to software engineering, Sampurna emphasises collaboration, empathy, and diverse problem-solving experiences. Her insights underscore the value of diversity in enhancing creativity, project management, and user-centred design within the tech sector.

Inspirations along the way
Throughout her career, Sampurna finds inspiration in the diverse individuals she collaborates with daily. “Every person I have worked with has inspired me,” she shares. For Sampurna, inspiration isn’t sought externally but arises organically from the stories and journeys of her colleagues, motivating her to continue to learn and grow professionally.

Sampurna has a bright future in the tech industry and at Shine. She is currently enrolled in Shine’s leadership development program, and we look forward to seeing her career as a woman in tech and leadership flourish!