Interview with Last Year’s Girl In Tech Award Winner

Tell us a bit about yourself – who are you and what are you doing right now?

My name is Hanna, and I’m currently in my third year of the Computer Science programme. I’m a very curious person, which is a big reason why I chose to study computer science. Even though I’ve always been interested in technology, I had never programmed before university. I was simply curious to learn — and decided to take the chance.

During my studies, I’ve been actively involved in Hack The Box Stockholm, where we organise meetups to learn more about cybersecurity together. We work with so-called “boxes,” where the goal is to find a flag — a bit like a game, but one that teaches you practical techniques and concepts within cybersecurity at the same time.

Last summer, I had the opportunity to host a workshop in ethical hacking for girls together with Akka, one of the other organisers at Hack The Box Stockholm, which was incredibly fun. I also participated in a one-week summer school at Ulster University, where we worked in the interdisciplinary field between computer science and neuroscience. Right now, I’ve just started an exchange semester in Lausanne, Switzerland, and I’m really looking forward to the term ahead.

How did it feel to first be nominated for the Girl In Tech Award — and then to actually win?

Being nominated felt exciting and really fun. Winning was incredibly motivating and encouraging. For me, it’s very important to be able to inspire others, especially younger girls. I hope that winning the award can encourage more girls to dare to explore the tech industry and try technical subjects — just like I did.

What does the win mean to you, both personally and professionally?

On a personal level, the win means a lot to me. It feels like a confirmation that what I’m doing actually makes a difference and hopefully inspires others. It also gives me extra motivation to continue developing and staying engaged.

Professionally, I see it as recognition of what I’ve learned and the experiences I’ve built within tech and cybersecurity. It gives me confidence to keep going and to take on new challenges in the field.

Which part of tech or innovation are you most passionate about?

I think tech in general is a very exciting field. What really engages me is combining theory with practice. I especially enjoy cybersecurity, particularly the hands-on challenges we work with at Hack The Box Stockholm.

I’m also fascinated by how theoretical concepts can be applied to solve real-world problems, which is why machine learning and neuro-inspired models and algorithms are especially interesting to me. Recently, I’ve also become curious about robotics. What truly drives me is the opportunity to constantly learn new things and explore how technology can be used in creative and innovative ways.

What challenges have you faced along the way, and how have you overcome them?

One of my biggest challenges when I started was that I didn’t have any prior connection to what I was studying. Many people have had a long-standing interest or experience beforehand, while I didn’t really know what to expect. Since I didn’t have anyone to ask, starting felt like a big leap.

However, the programme turned out to suit me very well, and the further I’ve progressed, the more fascinated I’ve become by the subjects.

Another challenge is that there are still relatively few women in tech. I believe many girls would enjoy the field, but a lack of exposure and certain stereotypes can hold them back. At the same time, there are fantastic networks and support communities for women in tech, which have been a huge source of inspiration and support for me.

Do you have any role models or people who have inspired you on your tech journey?

There are many women who have inspired me along the way, and without them, I don’t think I would be where I am today. When I was younger, I was particularly inspired by Simone Giertz, and I also think Eleonora Svanberg’s journey is incredibly inspiring.

During my university years, many people have continued to inspire me, and I especially want to thank Nathaly Bodell, who believed in me and gave me my first opportunity. Through her, I’ve also had the chance to meet many more inspiring women in tech.

What advice would you give to other young girls who want to pursue a future in tech?

My biggest piece of advice is simply: dare to try. I often hear that many girls hesitate because they think tech is too difficult, but I’m convinced there’s something for everyone within tech.

It’s important to believe in yourself and not get discouraged if you don’t understand something right away — learning takes time. It’s also important not to be put off by stereotypes. Many people still think working in tech only means sitting in front of a computer programming all day, but tech is much broader than that and doesn’t have to be about pure coding if that’s not what you’re passionate about.

If we meet again at Stockholm Tech Show in five years — where do you hope we’ll find you?

In five years, I hope you’ll find me working on exciting tech projects where I can continue to grow and learn — whether that’s in industry or academia. I also hope to continue inspiring and supporting more girls to dare to pursue a future in tech.