My name is Sofia. I am 29 years old and work as a Cyber Security Analyst, currently serving as a Young Graduate Trainee at the European Space Agency (ESA). My path to this role has been anything but conventional, and it’s a journey defined by challenges, self-discovery, and resilience.
If you had asked me ten years ago what my life and career would look like, I would have confidently said I’d be a lawyer, a librarian, or perhaps a literature professor. These professions aligned naturally with my love for books and writing. However, fate had different plans, and my journey turned out to be one filled with unexpected twists and growth.
Let’s start from the beginning. My relationship with science and mathematics has always been complicated. I remember sitting in my classroom at the age of eight, struggling to understand the purpose of all those numbers and geometric shapes. Homework and tests were a constant source of stress. I clearly recall feeling inadequate compared to my peers, who seemed to grasp that secret language effortlessly. For me, math was an impossible code to crack.
Things didn’t improve much in middle school. I was terrified of my math professor, and my test scores were barely sufficient despite countless hours of studying. My confidence in my ability to succeed in any scientific field waned. On the other hand, I excelled in literature, history, and just about any subject that didn’t involve numbers or formulas. You can probably see a pattern emerging—the same story continued into high school. The battle against mathematics became almost unbearable. Teachers encouraged me to pursue a career in law or classical studies, recognizing my natural comfort and talent in those areas.
At some point, I even became fascinated by the idea of spending my life surrounded by books, pursuing a scholarly path. After all, reading and writing were my passions—what else could I possibly do? Yet, there was a nagging frustration inside me and a tiny voice urging me to deviate from the predictable path. Against all expectations, I made a bold decision: I enrolled in an engineering program after graduating from high school.
You might expect a dramatic turnaround here—a triumphant tale of immediate success. But I’m about to disappoint you. My bachelor’s degree in engineering was nothing short of a nightmare. During the first two years, I managed to pass only two exams, both with low scores. I retook the physics exam nine times and cried more than I care to admit. My parents, while supportive of my stubborn determination, grew increasingly concerned about my well-being. Was this endless studying without tangible results healthy? Was it truly making me happy? Why was I even doing this?
To be honest, my decision to study engineering was driven more by practicality and rebellion than by passion. I wanted to prove to the world—and perhaps to myself—that I could succeed in a field completely unrelated to my natural inclinations. I wanted to demonstrate that I was more than just a bookworm.
After a couple of years, things started to change. I began passing exams, thanks in large part to the support of my colleagues—a diverse group of at-the-time boys who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. We spent countless weekends and nights studying together. Now I’m about to say something unpopular but important: most of my friends and colleagues were genuinely happy when I succeeded. However, there was one instance when I achieved the top score on an exam, and one of my friends didn’t take it well. It was a painful lesson—some men can only support you when you’re struggling, not when you’re thriving.
Through it all, there’s one person I’m most thankful for: myself. I endured the pain, the humiliation of feeling stuck while others progressed, and the constant sense of being in the wrong place. There were days when I questioned everything: Why wasn’t I obsessed with programming languages? Why didn’t I care about unravelling complex formulas or chemical reactions? My solace at the end of the day was reading a good book and making time for friends and family. I was never going to be a stereotypical tech guru, and that’s okay.
The turning point came when I accepted that I didn’t have to be passionate about every aspect of science and technology to succeed. I could be an engineer and still love literature more. This realization was liberating.
Eventually, I earned my bachelor’s degree. It wasn’t with top scores, and I graduated a year late, but I was immensely proud of myself for sticking to my decision. After graduation, life became a rollercoaster of ups and downs. I started working as a web developer but quickly realized it wasn’t for me. I quit and decided to pursue a master’s degree in robotics.
Then the pandemic hit. Studying in isolation was one of the hardest challenges I’ve faced. However, it was during this time that I secured an internship at the European Space Agency. That experience was transformative. Despite the remote setup, I found mentors who invested their time in me and inspiring female colleagues who showed me what I could achieve.
After six months, my internship ended. While finishing my master’s degree, I signed a contract with a company in the aerospace sector. As an apprentice there for 18 months, I faced a demanding and stressful job. Yet, I’ll always be grateful for that experience because it was where I established my first professional support network.
Two incredible female colleagues, L. and M., became my pillars of support. We shared our struggles as engineers and discussed everything—even our salaries, which is still a taboo topic for many. Our openness empowered us to set clearer goals for our professional growth. Even though our career paths have since diverged, we continue to support and motivate each other. We challenge the status quo in a male-dominated industry where it’s still difficult to discuss menstrual leave or be taken seriously without being labelled as emotional or weak. We refuse to be reduced to clichés.
Today, I work as a Cyber Security Analyst at ESA once again. One of the most surprising and empowering aspects of my current role is the strong female leadership in my team. These women exemplify how gentle yet firm leadership can coexist, and they’ve shown me the importance of making thoughtful decisions. Their example has reinforced my belief that I belong in this field, even if I don’t fit the traditional mold of a tech enthusiast.
I made peace with not being a tech guru long ago. My journey is about continuous growth and learning to be kinder to myself. I am enough, just as I am, on this unconventional path of self-affirmation. One of my top priorities will always be finding women I can count on and who can mentor me.
My motto is simple: “We rise by lifting each other up.” This guiding principle shapes how I approach my career and relationships. I hope my story inspires others to embrace their unique journeys, to persevere through challenges, and to support one another in building a more inclusive and equitable world.
Sofia Marzo, Cyber Security Analyst, Donne 4.0 Ambassador
