How Sakura Swapped Pastries for Programming at IKEA

Moving across the world and starting over isn’t easy. Originally from Japan, Sakura relocated to Sweden with her family, embracing a new chapter in life. After years as a confectioner, she set her sights on a different kind of creation—code.

The Search for a New Career

"When we moved to Sweden, I realised I needed a career that could give me more flexibility and opportunities. I had already started teaching myself programming, but I knew I needed a structured learning experience to make it in the industry here. That’s how I found Technigo."

The journey wasn’t without its challenges. After completing the bootcamp, finding a job proved harder than expected. "The job hunt felt daunting at first, especially since I didn’t speak Swedish and was looking for remote roles. But I kept learning and coding, and eventually, I landed an unpaid internship at a Danish startup. That experience was a game-changer—it introduced me to the right people and gave me the confidence I needed."

Landing a Role at Ikea

Today, Sakura works as a full-stack developer at Ikea. "The job is incredibly rewarding. I’m surrounded by brilliant engineers, working with sophisticated code and exciting technologies. Every day, I learn something new. That’s what I love most about being a developer—there’s always more to discover."

What Surprised Me Most About Working in Tech

"What surprised me the most about working as a developer is how different programmers can be. Some have years of experience but still write spaghetti code, while others, despite having less experience, write clean, well-structured code. Experience alone doesn’t make a great developer—good coding habits and a commitment to writing clean code matter just as much."

"What surprised me the most about working as a developer is how different programmers can be."

The Joy (and Challenge) of Continuous Learning

Sakura emphasises that the learning never stops. "Even developers with ten years of experience are constantly picking up new skills. The tech world moves fast, and it’s important to stay curious and open to learning."

This continuous learning can feel overwhelming at times, especially for junior developers. "I still struggle with imposter syndrome, but I’ve learned that it’s okay—and completely normal—to always have more to learn. Getting feedback from my team has helped me grow and become more confident."

Two key factors come to mind: curiosity and a willingness to learn. "This field is vast, with endless opportunities to grow. Learning begins on day one and never truly stops—so embrace the journey, stay curious, and keep pushing forward!"

Tips for Career Changers

Sakura shares her top tips for anyone considering a career change into tech:

• Keep learning and coding as much as possible. The more you practise, the better you’ll get.
• Enjoy the process! Loving what you do makes the challenges easier to overcome.
• Refactor your code. Writing clean, well-structured code is more important than just making it work. Many companies value juniors who understand what good code looks like. Your code doesn’t have to be perfect, but organising and refining it as much as possible will set you apart.
  
  "The learning never really stops, and that’s what keeps it interesting."

"The learning never really stops, and that’s what keeps it interesting."