Navigating the tech transition: A journey from Biology to Software Engineering with UW Bothell’s graduate certificate 

Launched in 2011, the University of Washington Bothell’s Graduate Certificate of Software Design & Development (GCSDD) serves as the catalyst for professionals to pivot in their careers. Switching into the technology field can feel like a daunting task, one that Enina Hovesepian considered as she worked in an administrative job not using her Biology degree.  

Hovesepian realized during her undergraduate path that studying Biology and going into research probably wasn’t the right path for her and she didn’t really know where to go from there. 

“Basically, it was really just a combination of knowing that I needed to do something else — not knowing what that was,” Hovesepian said.  

From Biology to bytes 

As an employee at the University of Washington, she decided to utilize the State Employee Tuition Exemption Program and began taking entry level software engineering courses. She tried auditing and sitting in on an introduction to software engineering course but stopped attending two weeks into class. Her interest was sparked, but she lacked the belief in her abilities to be able to do the work. The following summer after chatting more with her friends who work in the software engineering industry, she found the motivation to enroll in the course.  

“The second time around, for some reason, things just started making sense,” Hovesepian said. “So I stuck with it. I finished it. Did pretty well.” 

Hovesepian looked into ways to further her education and pivot her career path, and she found the GCSDD program at UW Bothell.  

“It is an actual degree, even though it’s not a bachelor’s or a master’s,” Hovesepian said.  

“A lot of boot camps that I was looking at, they’re good in their own way and you get a different kind of experience,” she expanded. “But you don’t really get anything that you can show as a form of a degree, which tech doesn’t care about nearly as much as other industries.” 

Speed-running a tech transition 

The GCSDD is a part-time, nine-month curriculum intended for people interested in switching careers towards the software engineering industry. The program also provides a pathway for individuals to continue their education and pursue a Master of Science in Computer Science & Software Engineering or Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering. 

The program’s structure offered a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, tailored for individuals from non-traditional backgrounds. Hovesepian said that the courses gave her an understanding of the basics of a software engineering degree in a very short time frame which helped her to land a job in the field.  

“There’s only so much you can teach people in a part-time program in nine months,” Hovesepian said. “You get the basics of a software engineering degree, and a good amount of preparation for what you need to know to be able to interview for a job.” 

Community impact on career changes 

Despite the long hours of commitment to both the program and working a full-time job, Hovesepian said the greatest thing she gained from the program was her connections to her classmates. They all became a support system for each other, creating study groups and friendships to last much longer than nine months.  

“You’re just all in the same boat together, but you also are coming from similar backgrounds,” Hovesepian said. “I met at least two other people there who were also from Biology or basic science backgrounds who are now trying to switch into tech.” 

The study groups she and her peers formed supported each other through the classes and switching to the technology field in general.  

“It’s really hard to switch from any career to another, but tech especially is difficult to learn; it’s difficult to do,” Hovesepian said. “It’s so easy to get discouraged. Just being able to talk to people who have gone through the same thing or something similar was so huge for me.” 

Looking to the future 

Upon finishing her graduate certificate program, Hovesepian enrolled in the Master of Science in Computer Science & Software Engineering. She completed two quarters of the program before putting it on hold to invest all her time in a software development engineer position at Amazon. She didn’t want to stress about managing a new program while starting a new job and learning how to be a better engineer in a workplace was her priority.  

“I might come back to it,” Hovesepian said. “That just really depends on how work goes and how my goals change.” 

Hovesepian acknowledges that while formal education is incredibly helpful, practical experience can often be just as crucial. Her ability to adapt and prioritize her career goals has been key to her success following the GCSDD.  

Hovesepian’s journey underscores the impact that educational programs like the GCSDD at UW Bothell can have on career transitions. While the path from Biology to software engineering held challenges, Hovesepian’s story highlights the importance of perseverance, practical experience and the support from community. As she continues to navigate her career her experience reflects a broader truth: with dedication, belief in yourself, and the right resources, career shifts can lead to fulfilling new opportunities.