Breaking into tech takes confidence, guidance, and the desire to learn. For Mumina Abdi, these three components came together to help her launch a career in software engineering that previously seemed unrealistic. And Wevise was there to help.
Learning to code is hard, but getting a foot in the door can be harder. Mumina’s story offers a clear look at how mentorship – specifically through Wevise – can accelerate a career path for someone with the will, but who seeks the way.
A Self-Taught Start with No Clear Path
Mumina graduated from Michigan State University around 2022 with a degree in Games and Interactive Media, focusing on game programming. While she had some exposure to coding, her transition into web development required a lot of independent effort.
“I had to start self-teaching myself web development,” she explained. “So I ended up learning JavaScript and HTML, CSS, all the this stuff on my own.”
However, like many early-career developers, she hit a wall: despite putting in the work, landing a job proved difficult. It was yet another example of talent and drive being foiled by the machinations of an unforgiving job market.
“I wasn’t really getting a job. I was just coding and hoping for the best,” she admitted.
That’s where mentorship entered the picture.
Finding the Right Mentor at the Right Time
Mina initially joined Wevise as a mentee, looking for guidance. That’s when she connected with her mentor, Jon Leinen, Wevise’s current CEO. It was relationship that would prove pivotal.
“He was so motivating. He just wanted me to succeed so bad,” she said. “He was always pushing me to be greater.”
That consistent encouragement helped shift her mindset. Having someone in her corner, someone who believed in her progress, made a tangible difference.
“Just knowing someone is there saying, ‘You got this,’ was very comforting.”
Learning by Doing
After connecting with her mentor, Mina was encouraged to take the next step: join Wevise and partner with resources to help her on her journey. That’s where things started to click.
Rather than being thrown into high-pressure expectations, she was given space to grow.
She joined the Ada Developers Academy, which had partnered with Wevise to expand mentorship opportunities to underserved communities. This involved a five-month boot camp, followed by a six-month internship,
“They knew I didn’t know too much,” she said. “It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, you don’t know this.’ It was more like, ‘Hey, just do what you can. We’re here to help you.’”
This low-pressure, high-support environment allowed Mina to build real skills through hands-on work. She focused on front-end development, contributing to projects that aligned with her interests.
“They would give me tasks like fixing bugs or building new features, and they’d always ask if I was comfortable doing it.”
And with Jon by her side step by step, she was able to find her way through the job-hunt jungle, a tangle of opportunities that had previously closed their doors to her for no reason other than that she had never been given a fair shot.
Building Confidence Through Collaboration
While technical experience was key, one of the biggest transformations Mina experienced was internal.
Before Wevise, she didn’t have a network in tech. Through collaboration with different team members, that began to change—not just in terms of connections, but confidence.
“I had to talk to different people on the team,” she said. “It helped me feel more comfortable speaking to others.”
Sometimes, the most valuable “skill” you gain isn’t listed on a resume—it’s the confidence to show up, ask questions, and engage.
From Mentorship to Opportunity
Mina joined Wevise in late 2024. Within a year, her trajectory had completely changed.
Through her experience with Ada, she scored interviews with several major companies, including Salesforce and Amazon.
She ultimately landed a Software Development Engineer apprenticeship at Amazon and relocated to Seattle, where she lives currently.
From no industry experience to a role at one of the world’s largest tech companies in roughly a year. That kind of acceleration doesn’t happen by accident. It takes persistence, perseverance, and the right people in your corner.
Exposure Changes Everything
Interestingly, Mina didn’t point to a single “aha” moment where she decided to pursue tech. Instead, it was a gradual realization, one that Wevise helped solidify.
“I started programming and enjoyed it, but Wevise exposed me to what the actual work environment would feel like,” she said. “And I realized, ‘I can get behind this.’”
That exposure, the ability to see what the job actually looks like day-to-day, is often what transforms interest into commitment.
Representation and Resilience
Mina’s story also carries a broader significance.
Originally from Kenya and raised in the United States, she is a first-generation college graduate and the daughter of refugees. Her path into tech wasn’t paved with built-in networks or industry connections. It was built through persistence and support.
Stories like hers highlight why access to mentorship matters so much for both individuals and the industry as a whole.
Paying It Forward
Having experienced the impact of mentorship firsthand, Mina is already thinking about how she might give back.
“I think I would actually be a mentor myself,” she said. “It’s really helpful to hear someone else’s experience and have them cheer you on.”
This is not uncommon at Wevise. That cycle of mentees becoming mentors is what allows this organization to scale their impact far beyond a single program.
Why Mentorship Matters
When asked directly whether Wevise played an important role in where she is today, Mina didn’t hesitate:
“Yes. It really did.”
Her journey reinforces a simple but powerful truth: talent alone isn’t always enough. Access, guidance, and encouragement can be the missing pieces that turn potential into opportunity.