Elevate & Empower with Hazal Fiskecil Vardar — deploy(impact) stories
Welcome to this week’s insightful interview! In today’s testimonial, we have the privilege of sharing the incredible journey of Hazal Fiskeci Vardar and her remarkable contribution to the deploy(impact) initiative. Throughout this interview, we’ll delve into Hazal’s unique perspective, the challenges she encountered, and the triumphant moments that defined her experience with deploy(impact).
Can you tell us about the time you participated in deploy(impact) and what was your goal to join the program?
I participated in deploy(impact) during a period when I was looking to transition into the tech industry. My main goal in participating in the program was to gain hands-on experience in a real tech project that I could showcase in my portfolio.
Would you say that participating in deploy(impact) made your profile more attractive/visible? If yes, how did it help?
Absolutely, participating in deploy(impact) significantly enhanced the attractiveness of my profile and visibility.
First and foremost, being part of the Agile Tech project was an incredibly instructive experience, and I believe that showcasing this on my CV has had and continues to have a positive impact for me. This is mostly because we were able to deliver a solution within a short timeframe through effective communication and teamwork, and I can see that such abilities are highly sought after by companies during my job search process.
How do you think that participating in deploy(impact) contributed to your career development?
Participating in deploy(impact) has significantly contributed to my career development by helping me enter the field of UX design/research. The agile project experience boosted my professional growth and self-confidence. Presenting our work to industry leaders during mentorship programs also played a key role in my personal growth journey.
Which aspects of deploy(impact) did you find particularly helpful in your career development?
Participating in deploy(impact) has significantly aided my career growth. Through practical experience, I’ve learned to translate theory into real-world applications. Collaborating with diverse teams during the program has sharpened my interpersonal and communication skills. Addressing unexpected challenges has enhanced my problem-solving abilities and adaptability. Overall, deploy(impact) has nurtured a results-focused mindset and has encouraged me on continuous learning.
How valuable was the guided learning experience during deploy(impact)’22?
The guided learning experience during deploy(impact)’22 was immensely valuable to me! I would rate it as a 5 out of 5. It provided the necessary structure and guidance for a successful learning journey.
Anything else you would like to share about your participation in deploy(impact)’22?
I’d like to mention that while the experience was enjoyable, it was also quite challenging. The commitment required around 10–15 hours of personal work per week, sometimes including weekends, in addition to the required meetings. Sharing this information with participants during the interview process could better prepare them for the commitment ahead.
deploy(impact) is back for its 2023 edition!
After two consecutive successful editions in 2021 and 2022, we are excited to bring back women++’s software development program for social good.
deploy(impact) brings together women transitioning into tech with anyone interested in advancing their careers in tech, companies supporting diversity, and other non-profits. deploy(impact) provides a platform for applied learning in which tech enthusiasts with different experience levels come together to solve real-life social cause problems with technical solutions. Participants are mentored by companies and can experience the whole life cycle of a software solution, and it’s a supportive, collaborative environment where people learn together.
deploy(impact) statistics from the 2 consecutive editions run so far (2021 and 2022)
About the author:
Maria João Silveira is a Social Media Coordinator Volunteer at women++. She has over a decade of experience in customer service and management and has demonstrated exceptional abilities in leading and coaching teams, solving complex problems, and maintaining high standards of customer satisfaction. When not working, Maria loves spending time with her dog, exploring new destinations and cultures, writing, nurturing her green thumb by taking care of her plants, and meditating.
