Career expos are not only for companies to showcase their services, but also a gateway to life-changing discoveries for the students who attend. Our very own Zey Ngobese was one of those students, and her life completely changed.

She Techs Her Way is part of our 2025 Women’s Month campaign, where we highlight the incredible role women play at Integrove. Zey is a Software Engineer, and she is proof that curiosity can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

Discovering a Career in Tech

Zey admits that a career in technology was not something she had ever imagined for herself, until she happened to meet a Software Developer at an expo.

“I got more curious and asked him questions to know what a Software Developer is, and he mentioned Information Technology, something I had never heard of before,” explained Zey.

This came at a pivotal time in her schooling career, as she was in matric and faced with the decision of where her life would head next.

“I started researching more about it, and I was able to apply. The Durban University of Technology (DUT) accepted me to study IT.”

It wasn’t until she joined Integrove seven years ago that she realised just how right her decision had been.

“I was part of a shift adjustment project that involved a biometrics login,” she recalled enthusiastically. “I was excited to see my fingerprint being scanned, and I thought: ‘I am finally doing it, I am in the world of tech.’”

This fuelled her curiosity even further, and she was eager to be involved in more exciting projects.

Problem-Solving and Collaboration

We know that every role has its challenges, and software engineering is no walk in the park. We asked Zey how she approaches problem-solving creatively.

“I have realised that some problems aren’t really problems, it is mostly misalignment,” she began. “You could realise that the specs weren’t clear, and in such situations, I reach out to people who are more familiar with those features or systems. I sometimes just do a quick Google search and we’re good to go.”

Although people often perceive those working in tech to be lone wolves, Zey quickly learnt that she is not one.

“I have learnt that I can actually collaborate with the team,” she chuckled. “I am not the single coder I used to think I was.”

It is this collaboration that she credits for her growth. “I get to learn from my peers and I get to improve.”

She Techs Her Way in a Changing Industry

As the tech industry continues to evolve, so do the roles within it. For Zey, this constant change is what keeps her motivated.

“The more curious I get, the more interested I become, and the more change I want to be a part of.”

Recent figures show that Zey is part of the global 13% of women who work as software engineers. While coding may seem intimidating and make women see the industry as more challenging than it really is, Zey has words of encouragement for curious young girls and women who want to leap into tech.

“Coding doesn’t have to be stressful. You can write one line of code and go to bed. What is important is that you have learnt something.”

Attending a career expo was an eye-opener for her, and she believes it can be the same for others.

“Put yourself out there. Attend those tech events, some of which are free. Make yourself available and keep learning.”

“She Techs Her Way to me means individuality, determination and creativity,” she says when asked about the campaign.

“As a woman in tech, I have seen first-hand how different perspectives and collaboration can bring when it comes to innovation.”

Watch the video below to get to know her more and see how she goes about being the best in the game.