Oday’s Story: Building Practical Skills and Working Globally

Oday Ziq has always been drawn to computers. During the COVID-19 lockdown, as learning and work moved online, he became increasingly aware of the growing demand for programming and computer science skills. Encouraged by his brother and cousins who studied computer science, he chose to study computer engineering at university, a decision that aligned naturally with both his interests and the direction of the global job market.

“I saw how much demand there was for programming majors,” he explains. “Technology and remote work was on the rise, and I knew I wanted to be part of that world.”

Searching for Real Experience

During his final year at university, Oday became focused on one thing: gaining practical experience. Like many students entering the ICT sector in Palestine, he knew that academic knowledge alone wouldn’t be enough to stand out in a competitive and limited job market.

He secured an internship at a local company in Ramallah, working as a full-stack developer with a focus on back-end development. Having heard about the Palestine Launchpad with Google (PLwG) programme before, his colleagues who had joined the programme spoke about how it helped them upskill in web development, data analysis, and AI. Encouraged by their experience, he began to explore it more seriously as a way to strengthen his skills, particularly in web development.

At the time, Oday saw an opportunity to complement his skills.“My role was mostly back end,” he says. “So I thought, why not strengthen my front-end skills and become more well-rounded?”

Learning That Goes Deeper

Through the Palestine Launchpad with Google, Oday joined a front-end Nanodegree, where he deepened his knowledge of React, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. But what stood out most for him wasn’t only the technical content, it was the feedback.

“When we submitted projects, we received detailed, line-by-line feedback on our code,” he explains. “Whether the code was clean, how it could be improved, how to write it in a more professional way.”

That one-to-one mentorship was something he had never experienced during university.

“Having a mentor follow up with you personally is extremely valuable,” he says. “It pushed me to reach a level where the code I write is truly polished and professional.”

Alongside the technical training, the programme’s career coaching helped him rethink how he presented himself to employers. His CV was refined, unnecessary details were removed, and key experiences were highlighted more clearly.

“Before that, I felt like I was getting rejected before companies even looked at my CV,” he says. “After the coaching, even if I was rejected, I knew it was based on my technical skills, not because my CV wasn’t strong enough.”

From Local Learning to Global Opportunity

After graduating from university and completing two worldwide acknowledged Nanodegree certificates, Oday received an email from the programme team about internship opportunities with international companies. He applied, was matched with a company, and soon found himself interviewing with AnnTac, a software development company based in the Netherlands.

The process included interviews and a technical exam. Shortly after, he received an offer and started a three-month internship with AnnTac, working remotely from Palestine.

“It wasn’t just about the technical work,” Oday says. “Working with people from different cultures helped me grow professionally. You learn how to communicate, how to collaborate, and how to be respectful and effective as part of a global team.”

This experience strengthened not only his technical skills, but also his soft skills, positioning him as part of a growing Palestinian tech talent pool connected to global demand.

Problem-Solving, Debugging, and Growth

On the technical side, Oday found himself sharpening skills that are critical in real-world software development, especially debugging and problem-solving.

“I learned how to debug smartly,” he explains. “How not to waste time, how to find errors quickly, and how to structure your code so problems are easier to spot and solve.”

These skills, he believes, are essential for anyone aiming to succeed in the technology sector in Palestine and beyond.

Looking Ahead

Oday has a clear vision for the future. In ten years, he hopes to launch his own IT company, building software products that solve real problems. By then, he aims to have gained not only strong technical expertise, but also leadership and management skills.

“To run a company, you need more than coding,” he says. “You need to manage people, handle crises, and lead teams.”

He is also passionate about changing misconceptions around technology careers.

“Technology is more than hacking,” he explains. “And AI, especially, should be seen as a tool to elevate businesses. Those who don’t use AI today are not thinking ahead.”

Advice to Future Tech Talent

For young Palestinian techies, Oday’s advice is direct and honest:

“If you want to work globally, build a strong network, and grow in in-demand tech roles, Palestine Launchpad with Google is a strong starting point. You get real technical feedback, career support, mock interviews, and employer matching, all in one journey.”

He adds:

“When you’re young, invest in your skills, your network, and your problem-solving abilities. Keep building projects. That’s how you prepare yourself for bigger opportunities in the future.”

Oday’s journey reflects the growing potential of Palestine’s tech ecosystem, where motivated young professionals, supported by the right programmes, are building skills that connect local talent to regional and global opportunities.