Code, courage, and the long game of building a tech career in Finland
Farrah Farooq dives into building software and breaking barriers in the tech industry
Ask any tech worker about a career in software development they will say it’s all about tools and learning more coding languages. For Farrah Farooq, it’s more about curiosity and the courage to keep growing, even when the path takes longer than expected.
Originally from Pakistan, Farrah moved to Finland 14 years ago with her husband, drawn by the country’s quality of education. Today, she works as a Senior Software Engineer and Scrum Master at Tieto, with experience in C#/.NET, Angular, Azure, cloud development and full-stack software engineering.
Farrah was named a finalist in the Developer of the Year category at the Nordic Women in Tech Awards 2025 and recently received the Technology Award at the IWWOF Awards 2026 in Finland.
Behind the recognition is a story of patience and continuous learning: four early roles at once in Pakistan, a career break after moving to Finland, rebuilding her professional path, becoming the first foreign employee in one Helsinki company, and proving that international women can be successful in tech.
In this conversation, Farrah reflects on the importance of fundamentals, the value of role models and her key message to international women in Finland.
By Varsha Saraogi
Tell us about your journey into the tech industry.
I come from Pakistan and have a background in computer science. After graduation, I started working at my university in several roles at the same time: visiting lecturer, junior developer, researcher and author. I was teaching, building internal systems and publishing research papers and books.
What brought you to Finland?
Education.
My husband and I moved to Finland for studies because of the quality of education here. After moving, I took a career break for a few years to start my family. But even during that time, I kept learning new technologies in my spare time.
When I returned to work, I got my first job in Finland after my first interview. That was a very proud moment for me.
What was your first job in Finland like?
I was hired by a company in Helsinki, and I was the first foreign employee there.
Based on my work and performance, the company later hired more international employees from countries such as India and the Philippines. That felt meaningful because it showed how one good experience can open doors for others too.
The team was very supportive, and I had the chance to work with strong experts.
What has helped you grow in technology?
Continuous learning.
In technology, you cannot stop learning. I keep doing certifications, courses and training in areas that interest me. For example, before taking on more responsibility in team ownership and management, I completed Scrum Master training and certification.
You cannot skip the steps. If you want to move into a new role, you need to prepare yourself first. That preparation builds confidence and credibility.
What advice would you give to international professionals in tech?
Follow people who inspire you.
I have always followed professionals whose work I admire. I look at how they progressed, what choices they made and what I can learn from their journey.
I also attend events, especially women in tech events. I meet people, connect on LinkedIn and keep those relationships alive over time.
In IT, things take patience. Nothing happens very fast. Keep learning, keep growing and stay persistent.
How do you network in a technical field?
Start with researching the topic.
If I attend a Microsoft event, I talk about technology, fundamentals and practices. I do not only talk about tools, because tools change. Fundamentals stay.
That is how you leave an impression. You meet people through meaningful conversations, connect with them and continue engaging later.
Some of my professional connections started at events many years ago, and we still support each other’s work.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in technology?
I have often felt that I had to prove my technical expertise more than others. As a woman in technology, your skills can be questioned. You may need to prove that you can do the same work as your colleagues.
That is why companies need fairer systems for performance evaluation. Feedback should not rely only on individuals, because people can be biased, even subconsciously. We need systems that evaluate people based on performance and contribution.
Why should Finnish companies hire more international talent?
Because diverse teams build better solutions.
International professionals bring fresh perspectives. In software development, that matters. If you are building user interfaces, customer portals or digital services, different experiences help create more inclusive products.
The world is global now. Finnish companies benefit when teams reflect that.
Who inspired you in your journey?
I have been inspired by women such as Camilla Sultanova, whose energy and visibility are inspiring.
From Pakistan, I have always admired Benazir Bhutto. She represented the country internationally with confidence and authenticity. For me, embracing where you come from is important.
What word describes your technology journey?
Resilience.
You have to keep going even when progress is slow.
What is your superpower?
Adaptability.
I can adapt to different environments, cultures and teams. Coming from Asia, adaptation becomes part of you. It helps you survive, grow and contribute in new places.
What is your message to international women in Finland?
Keep showing up.
In technology, stick to the fundamentals. Do not only learn one tool, because tools and languages can become outdated. Build strong software engineering skills, keep yourself updated and surround yourself with a supportive network.
The people around you matter. The right mentors, peers and professional circles can make your journey stronger.
And most importantly, believe that you belong here.
Conclusion
Success in technology is not built in one dramatic moment. It is built through steady learning, patient networking, technical curiosity and the decision to keep going.
Farrah’s journey from Pakistan to Finland, from lecturer and developer to senior software engineer and award-winning technology professional, reflects what many international women know deeply: talent is powerful, but persistence carries it further.
