The Path Changer: Criminal Investigations to IT
There are times we come across a fork in the road and become confused about how to proceed forward. This is what we call life, and sometimes life doesn’t turn out how we wanted it to be. Life is one big mystery.
Changing paths
Anna’s story starts in a fascinating way that most people would never think to include into an equation. Her story starts with travel. The travelers she hosted in Croatia forever changed her path. She said, “I studied criminal investigation back in Croatia. In my mid-20s, I hosted many travelers in my flat and they inspired me to do a round-the-world cycling trip with my dog.” Anna spent two years travelling the world and knew at the end of her trip she didn’t want to return to her homeland. She smiled and said, “I wanted to continue living abroad and be a part of an international community.” She knew there was more for her to accept a life overseas. Anna knew a career in criminal investigation wasn’t for her, so she changed her career to an internationally well accepted area of IT.
Anna ventured from her original area of study in Criminal Investigations and dived into the world of IT. She came from Croatia to Ravensburg, Baden-Württemberg. For Anna, the transition was tough. She said with a serious look, “I faced many challenges as an immigrant in Germany, but with persistence, determination and a strong faith in myself I moved forward. I worked three jobs and had zero free days. I finished many online courses about Web Development until I finally landed my first IT job.” Anna’s story is one of hard work, drive and determination to see a new chapter. This makes Anna’s story special because she changed careers and started a new life elsewhere. Doing something like this takes bravery and persistence to see the end results.
Since April 2020, she has been with TechLabs Berlin and has held many roles. Her role now is the Head of Journey for Berlin. She works with the Track Leads of the different programmes: Data Science, AI, UX and Web Development tracks. She helps the Leads have successful semesters by overseeing them take their Techies through the different TechLabs tracks and help their students build successful projects. For Anna, the opportunities to help students learn new skills, expand her skill set, and inspire others made her want to help TechLabs Berlin.
The Cycle of Teaching and Learning
Education is one continuous cycle between educator and student because both are constantly sharing wisdom. When you work with others, you will follow the same cycle, too. Human nature focuses on sharing what we have experienced with others. Anna said with joy, “You’ll do good to others while expanding your own knowledge at the same time. Plus, you share your knowledge with others and seeing them succeed is truly rewarding and motivating.” For Anna, seeing her effort turn someone down the path of success is the most rewarding part to witness. As a volunteer, you work with someone else who takes what they have learned and creates something using the knowledge they gained from their teacher. This is the most meaningful part of teaching and helping others to learn new skills and knowledge.
Should education cost thousands of Euros? Anna is a supporter of education being accessible to all. She said with passion, “I strongly believe that education should be free and available to everyone. Discovering TechLabs and joining the Berlin management team was a great opportunity for me to share my knowledge and experience of being a career changer.” At TechLabs Berlin, the group is a rich mixture of people with different stories to tell and knowledge to share. All members believe in sharing experiences and knowledge to help others. The education found here is priceless because it’s backed by different people with different backgrounds and skills in specialised areas. We always keep the cycle of teaching and learning open 24/7 at TechLabs Berlin.
Transferable Skills for Work
Anna didn’t think she would gain skills she could use towards her job. She noted with a smirk, “I grew personally and professionally. Volunteering at TechLabs gave me new skills which I could then apply at my work, making significant improvements in the company I work for.” The new skills she has picked up as a volunteer have made her work at her job better. Her volunteering has given her insights into how to work with different tools and strong critical thinking skills. She said there was an improvement in her project and team management skills. Her role as Journey Lead has played a role in bettering these skills and allowed her to apply the skills learnt by volunteering at her day job. Without the time spent helping, she wouldn’t have been able to gain these skills.
Inspiring Each Other
In her view, there is more to volunteering than just helping. Anna said, “Volunteering is not just about giving back, there is so much we get back as well.” She thought everyone who comes to TechLabs Berlin has something to share because both students and volunteers come from diverse backgrounds. Everyone has something to share and give towards the organisation. Each semester brings in about 150 plus students. They all have inspiring life journeys that make each of them special and by them being a part of the semester, they influence and inspire other students and the volunteers. She added they influence her every day. She said with delight, “This gives me strength to fight my own way through life.” Anna suggested volunteering can inspire us to motivate each other to live our best lives. When you dig deeper into volunteering, there is to see past the initial level.
Volunteering Equals a New Gateway to a Career
As a volunteer, you will pick up new skills, network with new people, test try possible alternative career paths, share and learn and get inspired. It will surprise you how much volunteering can help change you and influence those around you. You should give volunteering a shot today. We look forward to meeting you soon. If these possibilities are calling you, reach out today to our HR Department. They will gladly help find the perfect place for you at TechLabs Berlin.
Written by Chelsea Wunneburger for TechLabs Berlin
