“I’m Ingrid, I’m 27. I have a background in digital product design – UX\/UI – from Estonian Academy of Arts. But I also studied at the construction school in Tallinn to be a house painter. I have a very strange background,” she laughs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently unemployed but organizing Erasmus+ projects through her own NGO, Ingrid was looking for a new challenge when she joined the coding sprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI thought coding was maybe boring, but I realized it actually gives me more<\/em> mental stimulation than the things I did before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most exciting part for her? All the new things I\u2019ve learned already \u2014 and the people I\u2019ve met.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the most unexpected? \u201cThe backgrounds people have. That really surprised me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asked about the myth that coders need strong math skills, she says: \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s about maths. Of course it helps, but being able to think outside the box is more important. Maths is strict, coding needs creativity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ingrid\u2019s advice to new sprinters: \u201cFind a good friend you can buy matching outfits with,\u201d she says, half-joking. \u201cIt makes it more fun.\u201d And to anyone unsure about coding: \u201cTry. Come here and try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “My name is Mattias, I\u2019m 25 years old and I come from an IT background. I\u2019m currently working at Elering as an IT Support Specialist.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite his IT experience, coding wasn\u2019t part of Mattias\u2019s toolkit. \u201cI\u2019ve tried HTML and CSS before, but not Java or anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why try now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI like IT overall. I know how systems work, and now I want to know how programs<\/em> work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like many others, Mattias was surprised by the pace. \u201cA few days ago, it was quite a lot to handle in a day… but it got easier.\u201d Does coding require advanced math? Mattias\u2019s tips are simple: \u201cDon\u2019t try to do everything together, that\u2019s quite difficult. One thing at a time.\u201d And one more piece of advice, with a grin: \u201cTake some extra pants with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n To explain the out-of-the-ordinary tip we also have to ask about the matching outfits as well. Mattias and Ingrid have a matching outfit – a Lightning McQueen shirt and green pants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI didn\u2019t bring extra pants, so I had to buy some. Then she (Ingrid) thought, why not join – now we have matching pants, shirts, and a blouse,\u201d he says. The unintentional fashion statement got attention. \u201cPeople asked us about it. I think it\u2019s just funny – it puts a smile on people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n His message to future coders? Want to be the next Sprinter? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
More seriously: \u201cDon\u2019t overthink. Speak to people who are already developers or work in that field. It makes you realize it wasn\u2019t easy for them either. So it\u2019s okay if you don\u2019t learn Java in 2 weeks and find some good friends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kood.tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/koodblog-6.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udcbb Mattias – \u201cI want to know how programs work\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Still, the best part was clear: \u201cThe people around me. I\u2019ve made new friends, even future colleagues, probably.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think so. Some logic, sure, but mostly it\u2019s about understanding how everything works.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNothing\u2019s impossible. You don\u2019t know if you like it if you haven\u2019t tried it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n