At CodeHive, we regularly introduce students and share their stories. Today, we’re using giving the word to one of our full-timers. Manali is no longer a student but a full-time developer. CodeHive is not just for students—it also supports professionals who are at the beginning of their careers or even those already well into their professional journey.
In this interview, Manali shares her unique career path—from studying in India to pursuing a master’s in the Netherlands and eventually finding her role at SurePay through CodeHive. We learn more about her work as a software developer, her passion for music and cooking, and how she maintains a balance between her personal and professional life.
From India to Delft
Manali’s journey as a software developer began in India, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in Information Technology in 2019. “I worked as a software developer in India for three years, but I always had the wish to pursue my master’s. Due to COVID, the process took longer, but eventually, I came to Delft to specialize in AI.” However, during her studies, she realized that AI wasn’t quite her calling. “I discovered that my passion lay more in software development, so I decided to shift my focus.”
Besides her technical work, Manali has an interesting hobby: “During COVID, I started singing Indian classical music. It was a way to escape from the daily routine.”
The start of her career
Manali landed her first job through a campus placement program in India, where she was hired by Oracle. “At my university, we had company interviews on campus, and Oracle selected me.” Working there for 3 years, she gained valuable experience but wanted to grow further. During her master’s at Delft, she worked as a Teaching Assistant for various courses, such as Security and Cryptography. She also contributed to the development of an interactive textbook. “I’ve always enjoyed sharing knowledge and mentoring students.”
Working at SurePay
Manali now works as a software developer at CodeHive for SurePay, a company that develops IBAN name-checking technology to prevent incorrect transactions and fraud. “When I joined, they had just expanded to the UK and Belgium. I even built a project from scratch, and today, the code went live! Now, I’m waiting for the first feedback.”
She finds the work environment at SurePay inspiring. “Everyone is incredibly smart, and the attention to detail is insane. Sometimes, you get asked why there’s an extra space in your code. At first, I found it frustrating, but now I see how it’s making me a better developer.”
What makes her work challenging is that everything is new. “The technologies, the way of working – I constantly have to step out of my comfort zone. But the team has never made me feel dumb. They encourage me to learn and try things on my own.”
Manali hasn’t encountered many women in the tech industry throughout her career. “At Oracle, I worked for three years and did not see any women in my team. Here, it’s different. Recently, I met a female colleague who had just returned from maternity leave. She was so excited to be back! That was inspiring.” Something CodeHive is also happy to see, more women in tech!
Growth and future vision
In the coming years, Manali wants to continue developing her skills in software development. “Everything you learn is never wasted. Right now, I’m working in banking and fraud detection, which I find really interesting. In the long run, I think I will probably return to India, but I don’t know when yet.” She is open about her future plans. “I don’t have a fixed roadmap; I just want to keep improving and see where it takes me.” During her time at Oracle she saw the benefits of staying at one company for a longer period, and intents to do the same at SurePay.
When talking about the future, we asked Manali what she sees as the most interesting development in the tech industry. She is fascinated by the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT: “During my master’s, we weren’t really encouraged to use these tools. But now, I see how they can be an incredible enhancement.”
Work-life balance
The transition from working in India to the Netherlands was significant, especially in terms of work-life balance. Manali is happy to work 40 hours a week; “In the Netherlands, it’s easy to be truly free after 17:00. In India, you could be expected to work 10+ hours a day.” She makes good use of her ‘extra’ free time. “I still sing, take lessons, and practice for at least an hour a day. I also love true crime podcasts and cooking – mostly Indian or Indian-inspired dishes.”
Working with CodeHive
Manali started her work at SurePay through CodeHive. “I was added to a WhatsApp group, in which Thomas kept posting job openings. One of them caught my attention, and I decided to apply. I never imagined that a simple message would lead to a job!”
What attracted her to CodeHive was the informal approach. “In India, working through an agency is not that common, so I did some research. Here, it’s normal, and CodeHive felt very approachable. I could always ask questions and get quick answers.”
Because of the new experience with working in this set-up there can be some confusion about who to contact, Manali admits. “That was a bit unclear at first, but I understand better now.”
Manali’s advice
Manali has made intentional career choices and encourages others to do the same. “In India, people often switch jobs quickly due to peer pressure. I chose to stay with my company, which helped me build deeper connections and gain more knowledge. Now, I want to do the same at SurePay.”
For students aspiring to a similar career, her advice is simple: “Keep at it. It gets better. A friend once told me: ‘Everything happens for a reason.’ And I believe that.” If she could give advice to herself five years ago, she’d say: “This will pass. Enjoy your hobbies more. Now in the Netherlands, I have a better balance. I wish I had made more time for my interests earlier.”
Thank you Manali for sharing your inspiring journey with us! Her story embodies the eagerness to learn and determination that we cherish at CodeHive. We are delighted to have her as part of our community and look forward to supporting her as she continues to grow in her tech career.