This is a post in our Your Django Story series where we highlight awesome ladies who work with Django. Read more about it here.

Maria is a proud Romanian girl, passionate about numbers, letters, teaching and Open Source. Ping her @ http://marianitadn.github.io.

How did your story with code start?

In 3rd grade my school manager (who was my dad’s best friend) bought a few computers, and taught a lab for a few of us on the weekends. After playing Mario on my mom’s work computer, shutting down and clicking on folders was pretty amazing. I was the only girl. I wrote my first lines of code in high school, in Turbo Pascal. It may not been fancy, but it was enough for me to start coding. So, 9 years later I was graduating a Software Engineering Master’s.

What did you do before becoming a programmer?

In a way I was teaching. I studied Math and Computer Science at university, and I was teaching Math. When I had to pick my master program I had to choose: become a Math teacher or a Software Engineer? I picked the second one, but with a twist.

What do you love the most about coding?

Note to reader: I answered this question last. So many things. I can’t say what in one sentence, and I can’t find a reason not to. I think it’s true love.

I had to answer during a workshop what I will do if I would win the lottery. I answered: I would code & teach to help others, and travel the world during this time. They said that if you would do the same thing as your full time job is, then you’re doing what you’re passionate about.

Why Django?

I got a cool job at a Romanian start-up, and they were coding in Python and used Django as their web framework. So, it was time to learn Python and Django. I would have learnt anyway, but I was lucky enough to do this as a full time job.

What cool projects are you working on at the moment/planning on working on in the near future?

Outside work I’ve been working at a Ruby gem called Foregit, related with my internship at the GNOME Outreach Program for Women. My boyfriend and I are working at a cool web app, which will merge two of our dear projects - a lot of Go. Because I like to teach, I’m a mentor in the “Learn IT, Girl” program and I hope to organize a Django Girls event soon.

What are you the most proud of?

I’m proud of finding the courage to leave my life doing things I’m passionate about, learning from my mistakes and overcome my fears. At least 360 days per year.

What are you curious about?

What’s not there to be curious about? OK, perhaps not about Justin Bieber’s latest song, but else…

What do you like doing in your free time? What’s your hobby?

I travel, if I don’t code or mentor a workshop. I would like to make more time for yoga and sewing.

Do you have any advice/tips for programming beginners?

Start. Don’t be afraid to jump into something, none of us knew anything at the beginning. Most of us still learn (hopefully).

Ask for help. Find a program or someone to help you. But, you should realize that most of the work has to be done by you.

And for all of us out there: do things with passion. It’s a very much used phrase but really think of what it means for you.

Thanks Maria! :)