You Don’t Need All the Answers to Begin
How AP embraced uncertainty and found her footing in tech
Starting Without a Map
“You will not always know what to do—and that’s okay. You can figure things out along the way.”
That’s the advice Anne Pascua, a former teacher and now a junior consultant in data analytics, offers to anyone just starting their data science or career switch journey. It’s simple, but hard-earned. Like many career changers, AP entered the world of tech with more questions than answers. And that’s exactly what helped her grow.
Anne joined FTW Foundation as part of Batch 9, leaving behind a teaching career in search of a new challenge. What she found was a field that was both exciting and intimidating. “I’m currently in my first tech job,” she shares. “And I just wish someone reminded me that it’s okay not to have it all figured out—especially when tasks start to feel overwhelming.”
Early on in her new role as a BI consultant, Anne faced one of those moments of uncertainty head-on. “During the bootcamp, we mostly worked with CSV and Excel files.
“But in my current job, I had to learn the entire pipeline—from connecting to unfamiliar data sources to deployment.” It was a steep learning curve, but one she climbed with persistence and curiosity.”
Teaching, Learning, and Adapting
What helped her keep going? Her background in education, it turns out, was more relevant than she expected.
“As a teacher, one thing that really helped me was being adaptable and having a passion for continuous learning,” AP reflects. “Those habits carried over.” In the classroom, she taught others how to learn. In her new role, she applied that same mindset to herself.
One of the most unexpected parts of AP’s FTW journey was discovering that one of her high school teachers was also part of her batch. “It was both a source of pressure and comfort,” she says. “The pressure came from the fact that she was my teacher, but it was comforting to know there was a familiar face around.”
That full-circle moment became a quiet reminder: learning doesn’t stop, no matter where you are in life or career. And growth isn’t linear. Sometimes, you find yourself walking beside someone who once taught you—and sometimes, you’re teaching yourself as you go.
A Message to Future Switchers
Today, as a junior consultant, AP is thriving. “I’m continuously growing and learning,” she says. “And I’ve realized that this is something both tech and teaching share in common.”
To anyone scared to take the leap into tech, AP offers this encouragement:
“When something scares you and excites you at the same time, it might be worth trying.”
Her journey is proof that you don’t need to have all the answers before you start. What matters more is the willingness to learn, the ability to adapt, and the courage to keep going even when things feel uncertain.
“Because growth doesn’t come from knowing everything—it comes from starting anyway.”
Help More Women Like AP Take the Leap
Anne’s story is one of courage, growth, and possibility. And she’s not alone—there are so many more women waiting for their chance to begin.
Your donation helps make that first step possible. With your support, we can continue providing life-changing opportunities for women to break into tech and build a better future.
Give today and be part of the next story:
