From Human Rights and Finance to Tech: Two sprinters on a mission to kick-start their futures at our new location, kood/Võru

Every year, hundreds of motivated individuals step into the Selection Sprint, ready to push their limits, solve complex problems with the hopes of starting to study at //kood and take their first steps toward a career in tech. We spoke with two sprinters – Takatso and Evert – who are from different backgrounds, but they share one common goal: to continue their coding journey at one of our newest locations at kood/Võru.

Meet Takatso (33), originally from South Africa but now residing in Southern Estonia. She has a background in political science and human rights seeking to change her career and step into the world of tech.

Meet Evert (27), also from Southern Estonia, who has a background in finance. He is setting his sights on a career in the exciting world of cybersecurity. 

What brought you to //kood?

Takatso: “I wanted a career change. I’ve always learned IT a bit on my own, but I never had the long-term commitment to pursue it seriously. I thought that being part of a team and a structured program might finally help me stick with it.

I first heard about kood/Jõhvi back in 2021 and have considered it for years. Now that I’m at home with my child and looking to re-enter the job market, I want to do it right and hope that //kood will provide that easier entry point. While I initially considered Jõhvi, Võru’s opening this year felt like perfect timing, being much closer.”

Evert: “I initially tried to join kood/Jõhvi when it first opened, but my computer had other plans! I took it as a sign that it wasn’t the right moment, especially with my strong urge to travel. But the idea of coding stuck with me. After returning from my travels, I decided to give it another shot and was successful this time.”

What’s your background before tech?

Takatso: “I have a degree in political science and a Master’s in human rights and governance, which stems from my background in South Africa.”

Evert: “I studied financial management and ventured to America to sell books door-to-door. Before my next adventure, I worked as an assistant to stockbrokers at LHV before a longer adventure in Australia. Interestingly, my early tech interest involved some mischievous computer pranks with classmates in elementary school!”

Preparations before coming to the sprint 

Takatso: “I spoke with someone from the third batch who gave me some helpful tips to prepare. Knowing that Java would be involved, I took a Java course starting in February. It’s been very beneficial. I’ve found that coding isn’t difficult as long as you understand the underlying concepts.”

Evert: “Last year, I participated in a Java course which was very fast-paced and had so much info at once. But on my first days during the Selection Sprint, I saw that the studying process is so much more natural here. You do have deadlines, but you can plan your time yourself. Although you mostly learn by yourself, there are people here who you can ask for help and have discussions with. Perhaps they might know more or have gotten their code to work already. Everyone is very forthcoming to help and explain.”

Evert is also proactively immersing himself in the cybersecurity community, attending monthly meetups in Tallinn where he connects with individuals within the system. 

What are you most excited (or nervous) about the upcoming weeks?

Takatso: “I’m most nervous about the group work. I don’t want to let the group down. While we’re currently working on individual tasks within a group setting, that collaborative aspect is a big reason why I chose kood/Võru. You can learn to code in many places, but in the job market, teamwork is crucial. Knowing how your piece fits with everyone else’s is an essential skill.”

Evert: “Having just finished the Võhandu marathon, I haven’t had much time for excitement yet, but I’m feeling good on day two, albeit a little nervous about the exams.”

Evert with his relative during the Võhandu marathon (100 km) with a kayak, 2025 was his third time participating.

How did your friends or family react when you applied?

Evert: “The feedback has been very positive. Friends who’ve attended kood/Jõhvi had great experiences, and my family has always supported my choices.”

Takatso: “My husband works in IT and has appointed himself as my mentor – he’s very supportive! The rest of my family is also very encouraging.”

What would “success” look like for you at the end of the Sprint?

Takatso: “I’m not yet sure where I’ll fit into the tech world, and I’m hoping to gain more clarity on what skills and perspectives I bring to the table by the end of the Sprint.”

Evert: “Success for me involves not just coding proficiency but also effective time management to avoid burnout, ensuring a balance with breaks and workouts.”

Why do you select the study location kood/Võru?

Evert: “It’s closer to my country home and I can help out around the house”

Takatso: “I had been considering kood/Jõhvi, but it was a bit too far. When I heard about the new location in Võru opening this year, I thought it was perfect timing since it is close to home!”

Thinking about taking on the challenge? Apply for the next Selection Sprint and take your first step into tech at //kood with three locations – Jõhvi, Järva, Võru. The adventure awaits! 🚀