“My degree in computer science with a minor in interactive media at NYUAD taught me the fundamentals of coding, problem-solving and creative thinking that I use daily to make decisions on how to best address a task or feature as a software engineer at Wio Bank. Using these skill sets at part-time jobs and student organizations at NYUAD helped me become better in the frameworks I use daily in the workplace.
After a cyclone hit my home country Fiji, I planned to major in civil engineering at NYUAD to learn how to build structures that would be resilient to cyclones and hurricanes. However, taking Programming for Engineers and Introduction to Computer Science in my first semester sparked my interest in the tech field. In my spare time, I wrote scripts to solve basic math problems or manipulate data. Soon after, I became interested in software engineering as it would allow me to build software and see immediate results.
Home Region: Ba, Fiji
Current: Software Engineer, Wio Bank PJSC
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Interactive Media
While we were in lockdown during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, I learned the basics of web development from an online course on Udemy. The opportunity to take courses outside my initial major helped me identify my interest for software engineering. It’s okay to lean into your interests and switch your major if the opportunity calls for it.
During my time at NYUAD, I worked as an admissions ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and I honed my communication and interpersonal skills to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. I learned valuable leadership skills and the importance of teamwork as the captain of the dragon boat team, which I also used as a touch rugby player. Serving as the Senior Year representative for the Class of 2022 was a mix of fun, nostalgia, and fast-paced work. It exposed me to the intricacies of organizational dynamics and decision-making processes. All of these broader skills improved my productivity in the workplace, which allowed me to successfully deliver four products at Wio Bank within one year.
At my current role, I enjoy collaborating with people from various domains such as UI/UX designers, product owners, and copywriters, to engineer solutions to transform the UAE banking industry. In the long term, I would like to run my own tech startup in the UAE. The UAE is becoming one of the tech hubs of the world and I would like to drive and be a part of that as well.”