Selen Demir: Fusing creativity, technical depth and impact

RightBrains is delighted to share news, blogs and learnings from partners and our RightBrains United Network. We caught up with Selen Demir, community member of SheSharp, a community-led platform that empowers underrepresented groups with opportunities to develop their tech-related careers. She shares how impact can start small but scales fast and how every voice matters in building a more inclusive industry.

Can you tell us a bit about your role and what a typical workday looks like?

Hello! My name is Selen. I'm an Android Developer. My role revolves around developing and maintaining scalable, user-friendly features using modern Android tools like Kotlin, Jetpack Compose, and modular architecture. A typical day starts with a stand-up, during which the team syncs on tasks and priorities. From there, I focus on implementing new features, improving app performance, and ensuring code quality through unit and UI testing. I also collaborate closely with designers, backend engineers, and product managers to deliver seamless user experiences. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in digital technology? 

I’ve always been drawn to building things that impact people’s lives, and digital technology felt like the perfect medium for that. What inspired me most was the accessibility of mobile apps. A small tool on your phone can improve daily habits, solve real problems, or make life a little easier. Early in my career, I experimented with launching my apps and projects. That hands-on experience of turning an idea into something functional and user-facing was incredibly motivating. It taught me that with the right tools and curiosity, you can go from concept to product relatively quickly, and that sense of creative freedom is what hooked me. As an Android Developer, I combine that entrepreneurial mindset with the challenge of building for scale, performance, and security in a corporate environment. The best of both worlds is fast-moving innovation and solid engineering practice. 

What part of your work do you find most exciting or fulfilling?

For me, the most fulfilling part of my work is seeing how something I’ve built directly impacts users. Knowing that my work touches thousands or even millions of people is incredibly rewarding, whether it’s a new feature that makes banking easier or a performance improvement that creates a smoother experience. I also find the problem-solving side of development very exciting. Whether refactoring a complex module for better maintainability or architecting a clean solution using Jetpack Compose, I love that there’s always a challenge to tackle and something new to learn. Beyond the technical aspects, I really enjoy collaborating across teams, product, design, and backend, and turning ideas into real, polished experiences. That blend of creativity, technical depth, and impact keeps me motivated every day. 

How do you stay up to date in such a fast-moving industry?

I stay intentional about keeping up. I follow what’s new in Android -- whether it’s updates to Jetpack libraries, Compose improvements, or changes in tooling -- through developer blogs, release notes, and GitHub discussions. Conferences like Droidcon and talks from Google I/O also help me get a broader perspective on what’s coming next. On a more hands-on level, I like to experiment with new tech in my side projects. It allows me to test features or libraries before they’re stable enough for production in my day job.

I also learn much from the community, Medium, Reddit, and how other developers solve similar problems. It’s a mix of curiosity and staying plugged into the ecosystem. That balance helps me grow without feeling overwhelmed. 

What was the biggest turning point or learning moment in your career so far?

One of the most significant turning points in my career was getting involved with communities like SheSharp and Women Who Code. Those spaces gave me access to mentorship, technical growth, and a sense of belonging in an industry that can sometimes feel isolating, especially as a woman in tech. Through these communities, I found inspiration from other developers’ journeys, got the confidence to speak up more in technical discussions, and even started mentoring others, which deepened my understanding. It shifted my mindset from just being a developer working on tasks to someone actively growing in the industry, building meaningful connections, and giving back. That experience reminded me how powerful the community can be for skill development and building confidence and resilience. 

What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about your field?

One of the biggest misconceptions about Android development is that it’s “just building screens” or that mobile work is somehow simpler than backend or full-stack development. Building a high-quality Android app requires deep knowledge of architecture, performance optimisation, concurrency, testing, and design patterns, especially when working at scale, like in a banking app. Another misconception is that mobile developers only “follow what designers give them.” But in practice, we’re often involved in product discussions, give feedback on usability, and make critical decisions about how features are implemented to ensure performance and user experience. Also, people sometimes underestimate how fast the Android ecosystem evolves. Staying current with changes in Jetpack libraries, Compose, AndroidX, and Kotlin requires constant learning; it's not a one-time skill you master and leave on autopilot. 

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about your job?

People might be surprised to learn how much thought and complexity go into even the most minor feature in a mobile app. Something as simple as a button or animation might involve coordinating with backend teams, handling different edge cases, supporting multiple screen sizes, ensuring accessibility, and ensuring everything performs well under poor network conditions. Another surprising part is how cross-functional the role is. It’s not just coding; we work closely with designers, product managers, testers, and sometimes even legal or compliance teams, especially in sectors like banking. You're constantly balancing technical constraints with business goals and user needs. Finally, mobile developers spend a lot of time reading and debugging, not just building new things. Much of the job is understanding why something doesn’t work as expected, especially when dealing with production-level apps. 

What excites you about the future of your field? 

What excites me most about the future of Android development is how quickly the platform is evolving and becoming more developer-friendly. Tools like Jetpack Compose are changing how we build UIs, making development faster, more intuitive, and much more fun. It is exciting to see how modern Android moves toward cleaner architecture, better performance, and a more unified design system. I’m also interested in how AI is integrated into developer tools, from code suggestions to automated testing and accessibility improvements. It feels like we’re on the edge of a shift where developers can focus more on creativity and problem-solving while repetitive work becomes more streamlined. 

From a product perspective, mobile is still at the heart of how people interact with tech. Knowing that what we build has the potential to reach millions of users and shape how they manage their finances, health, or daily routines makes the future of this field incredibly meaningful. 

What do you hope to see change in the tech industry in the next 5–10 years?

In the next 5–10 years, I hope to see the tech industry become more inclusive and genuinely supportive of diverse talent. And not just in hiring but also in leadership, decision-making, and visibility. Communities like SheSharp and Women Who Code have made a huge impact, but there’s still a long way to go in creating work environments where everyone feels heard, respected, and able to thrive. I’d also love to see a shift in defining success in tech. Instead of glorifying overwork or chasing the next big trend, I hope we focus more on sustainability, ethical development, and the long-term impact of what we build, especially as AI and mobile tech become more integrated into our daily lives. From a developer’s perspective, I’m excited for tooling and frameworks to keep evolving, empowering us to move faster without sacrificing quality. More automation, better cross-platform solutions, and innovative debugging tools could transform our work.

How do you support or uplift other women in tech?

I care deeply about supporting and uplifting other women in tech, personally and professionally. Over the years, I’ve been actively involved in several communities, such as SheSharp, Women in Tech Netherlands, Women Who Code Mobile, and Women Techmakers, where I contribute by sharing resources, mentoring, and helping create more visibility for women and nonbinary individuals in the industry. 

One of the most impactful ways I support others is through my role as a certified #IamRemarkable facilitator. I lead workshops that empower people, especially women, to speak confidently about their achievements, challenge societal modesty norms, and build self-advocacy skills. Watching participants leave with more confidence in their voices and value is incredibly fulfilling. I also volunteer my time to support initiatives like Girls with Impact and Google’s developer education programs, and continuously share what I learn through talks, mentorship, and 1:1 support whether helping someone prepare for a technical interview or just being there to listen and validate their experience, small, consistent actions can have a significant ripple effect. 

Ultimately, I aim to create a tech ecosystem where women and non-binary people feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead, not just fit in. 

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

If I could give one piece of advice to my younger self, it would be to trust your voice and take up space. Early in my career, I often second-guessed myself, whether technical, experienced, or simply “ready” to speak up. But I’ve learned that growth doesn’t come from waiting to be perfect; it comes from showing up, trying, failing, learning, and trying again. 

You don’t need permission to belong in tech because you already do. So ask the question, apply for the opportunity, submit the talk, and sit at the table. You know more than you think, and your voice matters.