During my time at grit:lab, I became acquainted with the mind-boggling complexity of modern IT systems and began learning programming from a zero-experience starting point. Plunging into this unknown territory often brought moments of fear and doubt, but that’s a perfectly natural reaction when you truly challenge yourself.

In the end, it all paid off. Today I can call myself a data professional — which is exactly what I set out to become.

My mind is still boggled at times and the complexity keeps growing, but the fear is gone. I’ve learned better ways to approach the unknown.

Education like the one grit:lab provides inevitably teaches perseverance. And once you realise that this quality transforms into results, confidence, and improved well-being — there’s really no stopping you anymore.

I learned that coding in a team is its own skill. Communication, transparency and sharing the workload matter just as much as the code itself.

Getting comfortable with not knowing things at first. Starting from zero is still stressful, but I learned not to let that stop me from moving forward.

I’m a Java backend developer now. I already knew the basics of good coding habits, but grit:lab gave me the chance to practice them more, like breaking problems down, writing cleaner code, speaking up when I’m stuck and being open and honest with my team. Getting to know Paf as a grit:lab partner also helped me find my way here.

Figure out what grit:lab means for you, expect to leave your comfort zone often, stay transparent with your teammates and don’t forget to take breaks.

I have gained tremendously throughout my journey in grit:lab. I met new friends who came from all over the world, solved problems that I didn’t know I was capable to, and learned “the new way to learn without teachers”. All these have brought so much positive impact on me, both personally and professionally. I feel so lucky that I had the opportunity to study in grit:lab.

grit:lab taught me how to learn fast, stay curious, and build confidence by doing. I rely on that mindset every day in my work as a software developer. Take it one step at a time, and trust that every challenge is part of your progress.

The journey through grit:lab is a tough but rewarding experience. Every day, every step, we were inspired to perform. Both by our own ambition, but also the team mates, and friends, met along the way.

grit:lab changed my way of perceiving myself. Suddenly I realized that the only thing standing between me and my goals is the work that needs to be done. It inspired me to get up after every fall, and try again.

In my work I have to get used to working with new technologies quickly. At grit:lab we learned just how to adapt to those situations. To walk around with the thought that everything is figureoutable is a superpower grit:lab helps nurture.

So to the next grit:lab students; Take charge of your own journey. Set your own goals. Meet them, exceed them, and impress the world with what you’re capable of.

The most useful thing I learned from grit:lab, was that the things that seem impossible today, will become easier with time. Still when I’m starting a new project with new tools or technology, it seems daunting in the beginning, but I know that I will figure it out.

I work with Java Spring Boot microservices and integrating external APIs into our distributed system. grit:lab gave me the basics, but more importantly it gave me the time, opportunity and company of like-minded individuals to fully immerse myself into learning programming.

The first times I got the computer to do what I wanted, I did feel like a god. And the best part is, I still get that feeling sometimes, and I hope it never stops.

My biggest shift was fully embracing the growth mindset. Seeing myself overcome increasingly complex challenges solidified my trust in the process of continuous learning and the power of peer-to-peer collaboration.

Collaborating with constantly changing groups ‘turbocharged’ my problem-solving and communication skills, skills that I use daily. I also discovered that teaching is the best way to learn; mentoring peers who were working on projects I had just finished was crucial for solidifying my own understanding.

I am currently working in a Data and Analytics department building internal systems and pipelines with Python and SQL. grit:lab was instrumental in getting me here by equipping me with a powerful combination of tech skills and collaborative people skills.

Trust the system and keep showing up, even when the challenges feel overwhelming. Some of my biggest breakthroughs and ‘aha moments’ came on days where I started with no idea how to approach a problem, but found the solution just by hanging out and talking with my peers.

Attending grit:lab was a great experience. Even though I felt confident in my coding skills, grit:lab humbled me in the best possible way. It made me question everything I thought I knew and helped me develop a much deeper understanding of how fundamental functions actually work by having me rebuild them from scratch. Printrune for the win!

I apply the problem-solving skills I honed at grit:lab every day, whether I’m breaking down complex issues or automating repetitive tasks to increase productivity and the value I bring to my role. The ability to split problems into manageable pieces has helped me step into lead roles on some of my company’s biggest projects to date. It’s incredible how something so simple as deconstructing and prioritising problems, can have such a meaningful impact on my daily work.

I hope you all take the opportunity to engage with each other even more than I did. Learn together, grow together, and you’ll be able to achieve even greater things.

The biggest mindset shift I experienced was that, towards the end, I genuinely wanted to learn more and get better. In the beginning I didn’t have much ambition, but by the end of grit:lab I wanted to become the absolute best software engineer I could be. Today I’m working as an AI agent engineer at Teton.ai, one of Denmark’s fastest growing startups, and I get to work alongside some of the best people in the field.

The most valuable experience I gained from grit:lab was learning to work incredibly hard. Going home at 6 a.m. after an all nighter, and studying 80 hours a week taught me discipline and resilience. (Don’t worry you really do get used to it)
I would encourage everybody to learn something everyday also after you have completed grit:lab. The second you stop learning is the second you lose.