Magnolia had spent years building a career in science. Originally from Colombia, she attended graduate school in the Netherlands before coming to the United States on a full scholarship to earn her PhD in genetics. She later worked with Cornell University on a project focused on food quality and world health.
When that project ended, Magnolia began thinking about what would come next. She knew technology was changing quickly and wanted to build new skills while continuing to use the experience she had already gained.
Learning New Technology
Magnolia discovered CanCode through a community project with Catholic Charities. After seeing immigrants with advanced degrees benefit from CanCode, she wondered if the program could help her too.
She started learning Python and data management before taking an AI class that she describes as one of the most useful and productive parts of her experience with CanCode. The class opened her eyes to new possibilities and changed the way she thought about technology and her career.
From 1 Week to 10 Minutes
Magnolia began applying what she learned directly to her own work.
Before CanCode, she says some tasks took a hundred times more effort. Now, she uses tools like ChatGPT to help with projects and work more efficiently. Tasks that once took her 1 week can now take about 10 minutes.
Learning these skills also helped Magnolia understand technology she once thought was too difficult. Once she learned the terminology and tools, she was able to apply them to her own work and keep building her abilities.
Building on Years of Experience
For Magnolia, learning AI wasn’t about starting over. It was about adding new tools to the knowledge and experience she already had.
She says those new skills have helped her work more efficiently and have opened up new possibilities. She is now receiving offers from laboratories to help make scientific work better and more efficient.
Her experience with CanCode also showed her the importance of having access to education when you need it. Free courses and scholarships were especially important while she was unemployed and did not have the money to pay for training.
New Skills, New Opportunities
Magnolia sees the value of these skills beyond her own career. She believes technical skills can be especially important for immigrants and new Americans who may arrive with college or graduate degrees but struggle to find work that matches their experience.
For her, CanCode provided a way to connect her scientific background with new technology and new opportunities.
Magnolia’s story shows that learning something new doesn’t mean leaving your experience behind. Sometimes, the right skills can help you use what you already know in a completely new way.
Help someone else build the skills they need for what comes next. Support CanCode Communities as they celebrate 10 years of creating opportunities through technology education.
Learn more about CanCode’s 10th Anniversary Celebration:
https://cancode.org/10th-anniversary-celebration/