As software engineer Radha De can attest, the path to finding one’s passion is often winding.

De began her career as a chemistry student in North Carolina. After graduating college, she worked in HIV research for five years before life in the lab took its toll on her enthusiasm for clinical research.

“I started exploring other options, including taking a bunch of classes on Coursera,” said De. “I just happened to take a programming class and really liked the aspect of solving puzzles, so I invested further in that.”

That flicker of interest in coding would ultimately redirect her path to D.C., where she eventually landed at the front steps of The Washington Post.

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