Niyati Rana is a non-binary woman based in Vienna, working as a senior software developer. They enjoy writing clean, maintainable code and solving real-world problems through tech. Always curious, Niyati brings a love of learning and exploration to everything they do—both in and outside of work. Originally from India, Niyati completed a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering from Sushant University, graduating in 2021 with two gold medals—one for leading their department and another for ranking highest across all programs. They began their software development career the same year and moved to Vienna in 2022 to explore new opportunities and perspectives. Beyond their professional life, Niyati is passionate about stories and creativity. They love reading fantasy and fiction, unwinding with games, painting, and diving into the world of cinema. A self-proclaimed film enthusiast, they enjoy appreciating movies for their craft. In this edition of our Re:presented Interview series, Niyati shares their journey in tech, thoughts on inclusion, and how a blend of creativity and curiosity shapes their approach to both life and work.
Tell us about your journey into tech. What inspired you to get started?
Funnily enough, when I was a kid, I wanted to become a doctor. After high school, I even spent two years preparing for the National Medical Entrance Exam—only to realize that medicine wasn’t for me. Choosing computer science was, honestly, more out of necessity than passion. I didn’t have a background in programming and I initially thought I’d just be floating along, trying to build a career from whatever came my way.
But as soon as I attended the first lecture - Fundamentals of Programming - I was hooked. The problem-solving, the way every bug had a trace you could follow to uncover a solution—it made me feel like a cool little detective. As the courses grew more advanced and we dove deeper into algorithms, object-oriented programming, and software design, my curiosity quickly turned into a passion.
When I started working professionally, I truly fell in love with Java and JavaScript. I know they get made fun of a lot—and yes, they have their quirks—but to me, they’re fun, flexible, and great tools for building things that actually work. I love how expressive they can be once you get the hang of them.
Even though I ended up in computer science by accident, I really believe the universe has a funny way of guiding you to where you're meant to be. Writing code brings me so much joy. I especially love software design and architecture and the fact that you can never truly “master” tech—there’s always something new to learn, and that’s what keeps it so exciting for me.
What skills (technical or soft) have been most valuable to your success?
For soft skills, I’d say one of the most valuable things I’ve learned is how to explain a problem or solution in simple terms. It might sound basic, but it’s actually really hard to do well. Being able to break things down clearly—especially for someone who might not have full context—is such an underrated skill, and it makes a huge difference when you’re working with a team.
Another big one is proactive communication. Not just waiting around for someone to ask how things are going, but actually taking the initiative to update your team, flag issues early, and just make sure everyone’s in the loop. It really helps keep everything moving smoothly.
On the technical side, I won’t name specific tools or languages—those are super subjective and always changing. But something that’s been consistently important for me is software design. Writing clean, maintainable, and scalable code matters so much more than just making something “work.” If someone can come in five or ten years later and still understand what you wrote, that’s a win.
I’d also add software architecture to that list—being able to think about your system as a whole. Choosing the right database, figuring out how different parts of your system should communicate—whether that’s through APIs, events, or something else, knowing where caching fits in, how services are organized… that kind of thinking really shapes how solid your system ends up being.
Have you faced any challenges related to representation or inclusivity? How did you navigate them?
When I was starting out, I often found myself in teams that were mostly men. In one team, I remember how—whenever there was a client visit—people would automatically expect the one woman on the team (who was also a software engineer, by the way) to handle the logistics or play host. It was subtle, but telling.
In the early days, I’d often get talked over, interrupted, or just completely overlooked in conversations. And honestly, I used to just go quiet when that happened. Over time, that really fed into my imposter syndrome—I started doubting whether I was good enough or smart enough to be there.
But as I gained more confidence, I started pushing back in small but meaningful ways. One thing I began doing was simply saying, “I wasn’t finished” whenever someone interrupted me. It sounds simple, but it helped reset the tone in the moment. And if they kept talking over me? I’d just keep going like they hadn’t. It was my way of gently but firmly making space for myself.
It took time, but learning to assert myself and trust my voice has made all the difference. And the more we talk about these things openly, the easier it becomes for others to do the same.
Was there someone who helped or mentored you along the way? What did that support mean to you?
Definitely, yes. One of my past colleagues—who’s still one of my closest friends—had a huge impact on me. As a woman in tech, she’d been through many of the same hurdles I was facing. Things like having to be assertive just to be heard, constantly proving your competence, or challenging the subtle (and not-so-subtle) gender norms—unfortunately, those are still common experiences for anyone who isn’t a cis-het man in this industry.
But she always carried herself with strength. I watched her speak her mind, take up her space, and stand up for herself without hesitation. Just seeing her do that helped me believe I could do it too. I learned so much from simply watching her lead by example.
More recently, being at SQUER has also made a big difference. The culture here has been genuinely uplifting. I’m treated the same as everyone else—I don’t need to be assertive just to be heard, because speaking is enough. And honestly, that kind of environment—which should be the bare minimum—can be incredibly empowering.
Because of my own experiences, I always make it a point to make sure that the people around me feel heard. If someone has something they want to discuss or a question, I always encourage them to reach out without hesitation. And if I notice someone getting talked over, I’ll say their name and invite them to speak so they have the space they deserve. It’s small things like that that can really shift a team’s culture for the better.
Final Thoughts
Don’t be afraid to take up space—your ideas and your voice matter. You don’t need to make yourself smaller to fit in.
Stay curious. Some of the best things I’ve learned came from casual conversations, random meetups, or just tinkering with something new. Tech moves fast, and keeping an open mind makes all the difference. And if you’re just starting out: yes, the learning curve is steep—but it’s worth it. This field is intellectually challenging (in a good way) and genuinely fun, especially if you’re stubborn enough to stick with it.
Name: Niyati Rana
Pronouns: She/They
Current Role/Title: Senior Software Engineer
Company/Organization: SQUER Solutions GmbH
LinkedIn: https://at.linkedin.com/in/niyati-rana
