Meet the Instructor: Martyna Machowiak

How long have you been coding? How did you get started?

8 years, ish, the beginnings were very modest and focused more on design. I was working as Landscape Architect/Project Manager, had a burnout and needed a change. I already new graphic applications, did some online courses for HTML, CSS and JS, and get hired by company that needed someone to help them with simple, static websites. This was the moment when I started learning new skills at work and it never ended :)

What do you enjoy about working at Manchester Codes? // New? What are you most looking forward to with working at Manchester Codes?

Community, the fact I can shape dev culture and help people to change their lives.

What gets you excited about Technology?

How technology, if used wisely, can remove barriers.

Favourite language and framework/library/ tool?

JavaScript/React/VSCode/Figma and Git, I love Git with my whole heart.

Least favourite language and framework/library/ tool?

Framework: Bootstrap/Foundation/others predominantly styling frameworks when used in the wrong way and I'm forced to override half of it to get UI as per design. Tool: PhpStorm, when it starts indexing.

One piece of advice you have for people fresh to Software development?

Don't believe anyone who will say you're not good enough for something or it's too soon for you to do what you want/dream about, even if it's a challenge. They project their own insecurities on you.

Outside of work, what do like to do for fun? How do you spend your downtime?

I play D&D and board games with my friends. I love climbing/bouldering, when I can I go hiking or swimming (open water is the best), and camping. I have tendency to binge TV and listen to music I'm obsessed with at the time on loop.

What did you want to be when you were younger?

Around age of 7-8 I couldn't choose what I would like to do when I grow up, so I was trying to figure out how can I do architecture, law school, and be professional basketball player at the same time. I'm 5'3 XD, but I did finish landscape architecture.

Do you have a pet? If so, what do you have?

No, but I want to get a cat!

If you could be a superhero, who would you be and why?

Falka-rex, my DnD character, sorcerer polymorphing into T-rex.

What would your dream holiday destination be?

Rural seaside in Portugal

If you were stranded on a remote island, alone. What piece of technology/ gadget would you be unable to live without?

I'm gonna go with the cliche: Kindle ;)


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