ACM Scholar Spotlights: Alexandra Codreanu
Welcome to ACM Scholar Spotlights, a series where we shine a light on the inspiring paths of women in computing who received the 2024 ACM-W scholarship. Through their own words, we hear how they found their place in tech, what motivates them, and how they’re making an impact. These stories reflect not only technical achievement, but also courage, curiosity, and community.
In this blog, we feature Alexandra Codreanu, a Computer Science undergraduate from Transylvania University in Brașov. From early coding projects with her father to navigating challenges as a young woman in tech, Alexandra shares how community, creativity, and womENcourage have shaped her journey and her dreams for the future.
Introduction
Hello! My name is Alexandra, and I am a 21-year-old Computer Science undergraduate student at the Transylvania University in Brașov. Along with my passion for computing and anything tech-related, I also love creating art. My goal as a woman in computing is to find the balance between my passions, to combine both the beauty of art in all its forms and the power of technology.
My Journey into Computing
My journey in computing began very early in my life, at primary school level, with the support of my father, who always included me in his little coding projects in one way or another. As I grew older, I slowly picked up coding as a hobby. Starting with small math problem-solving algorithms in middle school, to more complex front-end projects at the end of high school, I discovered how diverse computing can be, which convinced me to pursue it as a major at university.
Challenges as a Woman in Computing
However, having been shielded by my father while working in the field during my youth, the way women are treated in computing came as a surprise to me. One of the biggest challenges I had to overcome after officially joining the workforce as a young woman was that people around me either had no expectations from me or had very high, almost unachievable ones.
With the help and guidance of other women I had the pleasure of working with, these challenges did not completely disappear, but I found comfort in knowing I was not alone. Participating in the womENcourage conference made me realize that being a woman in computing is not a disadvantage compared to my male peers but an asset. The community these incredible women have created will continue to help others like me, allowing them to achieve more and more.
Looking Ahead
Finally, what about my future in computing? Thinking about the future is not my strong suit, I must admit. When it comes to planning ahead, I’d rather focus on the next day, or maybe, when I feel courageous, even the next week.
However, having heard so many inspiring stories told by the conference’s attendees, my mind sketched a beautiful picture of the future I aspire to achieve: after university, I would love to pursue cybersecurity, perhaps working remotely in a colder foreign country, with a few pets and a calmer life, one where I will have the peace to take my time and never stop learning what I love doing most.