Your Django Story: Meet Sonia Arcelay

This is a post in our Your Django Story series where we highlight awesome ladies who work with Django. Read more about it here.

Sonia is a Latina into yoga, coding, social media marketing, and running. Animated and tea + wine aficionado.

 

How did your story with code start?

I learned Basic and Cobol on a Macintosh in the 5th grade. I spent time at the library to utilize computers outside of the classroom. Which also evolved into a love of reading.

 

What did you do before becoming a programmer?

In past professional positions, I worked at an art gallery, excel spreadsheets, databases, copywriting and copyediting, cosmetic marketing, revising corporate manuals and teaching/training colleagues on various programs for commercial real estate.

 

What do you love the most about coding?

Coding allows me to slow down and develop more patience. When I see my code displayed as the site or image that you were aiming for it makes me feel inspired. All the hours put in learning, trying and gaining a second set of eyes all begin to pay off. That reflects on the road ahead; the joy of heading in the right direction with my coding goals and aspirations.

 

Why Django?

Django is a clean framework that works well with Python. My first language being Python, it seemed like a bright opportunity to get into web development and also work with FOSS.

 

What cool projects are you working on at the moment/planning on working on in the near future?

I would like to enhance my skills with Django/Python, HTML/CSS and Javascript. The goal is to become proficient enough to take applications from concept to completion, quickly, accurately and as securely as possible. At the moment, I’m learning and developing at a moderate pace. Django’s versatility will allow me to build content management systems, social network sites such as Instagram or Pinterest.

A cool project will be my future Science Fiction inspired website currently in concept phase at the moment. However, it will reflect Octavia Butler, Ursula Le Guin, James Tiptree Jr., Margaret Atwood, Isaac Asimov Haruki Murakami and William Gibson. The science fiction will be women centric as it once was in the technology field as well.

 

What are you the most proud of?

Completing the Django Girls NY tutorial/workshop, finally getting it on Github and its a pretty good attempt:)

 

What are you curious about?

I’m curious about as many aspects of coding that will enhance my abilities. I spark interest in the most minute to the most diverse. Culture, science and linguistics are a few on the fairly large list of curiosities.

 

What do you like doing in your free time? What’s your hobby?

In my free time, I like to run, read and learn more coding. Although, at times nothing beats Meditation, yoga and cooking. I like to help others especially teaching senior adults technology.

 

Do you have any advice/tips for programming beginners?

My advice is if you can utilize a book for some basic understanding. You can learn to practice and try on your own. If and when you need help, ask. If you can help, do so. Go to Meet-Ups, and events; get to know people who can assist you in your learning process. A mentor or a few mentors can also be helpful. Develop a rapport with someone genuine and become invested in the relationship so as to get as much out of the advice and time of your mentorship.

So when you’re no longer a novice, pay it forward and send the elevator down for the other ladies.

Thanks Sonia! :)

---