Marking a decade of the "New Technologies for Women" (NTDD) program, we are thrilled to highlight the remarkable achievements of our graduates who have reached extraordinary milestones. Among them is Alicja Kluczek, an alumna of the 5th edition (2019), whose determination and passion for technology led her to become a software developer at Google.
In this special anniversary feature, Alicja reflects on how NTDD provided her with the mentorship, confidence, and community she needed to launch her career. Her story is a testament to the transformative impact of the program, and a reminder of the power of empowering young women in technology. Join us as we celebrate Alicja’s achievements and pave the way for the next generation of tech leaders.
Perspektywy Women in Tech: How did you learn about the NTDD program?
Alicja Kluczek: From the Perspektywy website. At the time, I was in my final year of high school, and like most students preparing for their exams, I visited the site looking for information about the University Rankings.
Perspektywy Women in Tech: But were you already familiar with the activities of the Perspektywy Foundation for women?
Alicja Kluczek: Yes, that’s true. I participated in the first Perspektywy Women in Tech Summit because I had already decided fairly early on that I wanted to work as a software developer.
Perspektywy Women in Tech: What inspired you to choose this career path?
Alicja Kluczek: As with many people working as developers, it all started for me with computer games. Initially, I played them, and then I wanted to try programming myself. Over time, my interest shifted more toward computer science. In high school, I participated in computer science olympiads, and I really enjoyed the competitive spirit. Moreover, there was a group of people in my class who shared similar interests, and we motivated each other to dive deeper into this field, which only fueled our passions further. It was a bit of a self-sustaining cycle (laughs). That’s why, even in high school, I was already working as a programmer and looking for ways to gain as much experience and knowledge as possible.
Perspektywy Women in Tech: Since you already had such a clear plan for yourself, why did you decide to apply for the NTDD program?
Alicja Kluczek: Because it was a program perfectly tailored to me. So why wouldn’t I give it a try? Sure, I knew what I wanted, but I also needed to talk to people with more professional experience and knowledge than I had. I wanted to learn more about the world of developers, broaden my perspective on the IT industry, and explore what kinds of opportunities exist in the field. I think I also wanted to confirm that I had made the right career choice. And all of that truly happened.
Perspektywy Women in Tech: What convinced you the most to apply for the program?
Alicja Kluczek: Every aspect seemed appealing—mentorship, which I understood as the opportunity to talk to someone who had already worked in the industry for a few years and could guide me in my decisions; the workshops and the chance to gain additional knowledge; the opportunity to meet other women; and finally, the scholarship. And probably in that exact order, meaning the scholarship wasn’t the most important aspect of the program for me. My priority was the knowledge I could gain and the network I could build.
Perspektywy Women in Tech: Did you feel a lack of female peers?
Alicja Kluczek: Women in the IT & Tech world form a unique group. There are far fewer of us, which means that in many situations, especially early in our education, we often function as the "odd one out." This can make us somewhat invisible in the male-dominated crowd, less heard, and less seen. Programs like NTDD help us realize that we’re not alone, that there are more women like us, and that’s incredibly empowering and motivating. Personally, NTDD gave me a lot more confidence.
Perspektywy Women in Tech: If you were to recommend the NTDD program to someone, what would you say?
Alicja Kluczek: If a girl has a technical mindset and is open to learning and self-development, she should definitely try and apply to the program. The truth is that even if we’re confident about our choices, it’s worth testing different opportunities, participating in various initiatives, to solidify our interests or discover a new path for ourselves.
