Unlocking potential: Andrina Beuggert’s Reskilling Journey in Tech
Welcome to our interview with Andrina Beuggert, a trailblazer who transformed her career from the humanitarian field to thriving in IT. Join us as Andrina shares her firsthand journey of growth and resilience, and how she embraced the digital world with passion and determination. Let’s dive in!
1. Can you tell us about your background and how it influenced your decision to pursue reskilling and change careers?
Initially, I studied for a bachelor’s degree in Culture Studies in Lucerne, followed by a master’s in Development Studies in Geneva. I also worked abroad with the Swiss government and later with the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) in Geneva, focusing on social innovation. Within the innovation team, my role involved supporting others in developing and implementing ideas for both development and humanitarian purposes. This experience also led me to work with UNICEF where I worked closely with young people from Syria living in refugee camps, supporting them in implementing their ideas.
Eventually, I decided to return to Switzerland. Upon my return, I joined Powercoders, where I spent four years as a program manager. In this role, I supported people with a refugee or migrant background in starting their careers in IT. Although my position involved project management, it allowed me to be close to the IT world and I got familiar with keywords and concepts. I could observe how others were learning and made their way into the IT field. Another reason why I chose Powercoders was because I’d always been interested in the digital world. As a child, I was very good at math. However, I was also curious to understand the world and make a positive change and I didn’t see how math or IT could help with that. Over time, I realized they could be powerful tools for change and I became curious about diving deeper into the digital field.
2. Can you walk us through the steps you took to reskill and make the career change?
Over time, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to change my career. Before quitting my position at Powercoders, I reduced my workload to give myself time to learn new skills and find a new job. During that transition phase, I applied for deploy(impact), was accepted into the program and participated over the course of 6 weeks. Additionally, I took part in a hackathon hosted by Girls in Tech and pursued an online course in data analysis.
At the same time, Powercoders allowed me to shift my role internally. As Impact Lead, I focused on the data strategy and set up the organization’s CRM system. This experience confirmed my interest in the digital realm — and what I today know is called “requirements engineering”: talking to people, understanding their requirements for a new tool, and making sure the design meets those needs.
During my job search, I prioritized networking over only just applying for positions. I was looking for professionals who were already working in this field, learning from their experiences and getting their guidance.
I am very happy with the job I found at sieber&partners, an independent consulting firm that helps companies and organizations in digital transformation. Back then, I already thought that consulting would be great for me because of its diverse nature. Each project always presents new challenges and opportunities to use my analytical skills and continue learning every day.
3. What challenges did you encounter during the reskilling process, and how did you overcome them?
The first challenge was finding the time. As a mother of a then one-year-old boy, finding time was difficult. I reduced my workload, which meant earning less to dedicate time to reskilling.
The second challenge was figuring out where to start. The digital world is huge, with lots of different areas to explore. You can do so many things! Once I chose the field, I had to decide which course to take and how to get started.
Lastly, staying motivated was not always easy. I’m very much an applied learner, so sitting through courses wasn’t my favourite thing. Looking back, I found that deploy(impact) was perfect for me. It was hands-on, had deadlines and a supportive community.
4. How did you decide on the specific new career path you pursued?
I didn’t plan to end up where I am now. When I was searching for a job, it was partly reaching out to people sharing what I am looking for and being able to contribute. But a big part of it was also seeing which opportunities came in my way, and where others felt I could add value with my skills and experience.
I am also grateful for the rejections — they guided me to my current role that’s indeed a good fit: It’s not purely technical but it’s all about the translation between people, business and IT.
5. What resources or support systems did you find most helpful during your reskilling journey?
Being involved in communities like Techface, Girls in Tech, and women++, as well as attending events like the #wetechtogether conference and hackathons, along with programs like deploy(impact), helped me feel like I belonged in the tech community.
6. Can you share any significant moments or milestones you experienced while reskilling?
One highlight for me was the project for deploy(impact). At first, understanding the challenge wasn’t easy, and we had to come together as a team. Eventually, we turned it around. We not only figured out what to do but also presented something meaningful as a team. I’m proud of how we worked through that challenge together, from feeling lost initially to delivering something substantial to the audience.
7. How did your previous experience or skills transfer to your new career?
I consider all my previous experience highly valuable for my current role but if I had to highlight one, it would be communications. Working with different stakeholders and making sure everyone understands each other is often what makes the difference.
Also, I have experience in project management and working with NGOs, which helps me a lot in my current job as I’m mostly supporting not-for-profit organizations in their digital transformation journey. Hence my previous experience is a big asset.
8. What advice would you give to others considering a career change through reskilling?
I would recommend finding a community of like-minded people. It’s a great way to find role models — people who are two steps further on the same path. Just start talking to them! Through conversations, things will become more natural. Meeting people who understand your goals can give you the support you need to achieve them faster.
9. In hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently during your reskilling process?
The first thing that comes to mind is I wouldn’t have studied Python. It turned out to be a good experience because it helped me realize that I don’t have enough interest in a purely technical job. However, it was still beneficial as I gained an understanding of basic concepts and discovered what didn’t interest me.
10. How has your life changed since successfully transitioning to your new career?
Every day, I am using my strengths and experience while learning from the challenges at hand and the diversity of projects. That’s a great mix.
Also, working with NGOs and NPOs aligns with my values, and I find it rewarding at the end of the day.
