“You shouldn’t have to step back just because you’re a girl”

Born in Nepal and living in Belgium since 2014, Prasamsha joined Accenture in 2020 where she is a Data Analyst

Information Technology (IT) was in my sights since I was a teenager. I saw people building cool stuff and my curiosity about what it would be like to become a programmer increased. I wanted to get a taste of coding. But I ended up studying Biotechnology because when I told people in Nepal that I wanted to work in IT, I mostly got the same answer: “IT is for boys”.

I worked alone and sometimes when I dived really deep, I’d get stuck for days on a problem. There were times when I would completely lose hope and say: “This is not for me. I’ve tried everything, and it still does not work. I’m not that good.” What this experience taught me is that practice is everything, start small and then grow.

I took a training course in Artificial Intelligence at BeCode followed by an internship at Accenture. Those three months as an intern convinced me to join the company. I was made to feel part of the family, working with colleagues who supported me, motivated me in every way possible and accepted me for who I am.

Today, technology and programming are my playground. Playing with data and code and seeing changes happen before your own eyes is so exciting. I look forward to every new project, the possibility to use new technologies, and overcome challenges even we’re not sure how or even if we can do what we’re aiming for with the tools available. But with determination and dedication, we succeed.

You shouldn’t have to step back just because you’re a girl. I never expected to be doing what I’m doing today. But now that I work in IT and programming, I see people in Nepal starting to change their minds and wanting their daughters to join the industry too. Showing people that change is possible is the kind of impact I want to keep having.

I can’t live without my dog, Tony. However, the happiest place on earth for me would be anywhere I can spend quality time with my family. I’ve been apart from my sisters since I came to Belgium, but the bond is still strong. They have been my go-to people and best friends since childhood. Just the possibility to be with them again, sharing some Nepalese dumplings, would bring me immense joy.

If you can dream it, you can do it. Being able to work in positive work environment and do what I love the most makes me hopeful for the future.