Women in Java: A Q&A with Sonali Sarva

Meet Sonali, a Consultant at Capco, whose love for clean code and problem-solving sparked a career in software engineering. She shares how taking ownership early in her journey built her confidence, and how staying true to her personality has helped her thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

1. What made you decide to pursue a career in software development, specifically in Java?

I’ve always enjoyed logic-building and solving aptitude problems, which naturally led me to coding. I decided to pursue software development because I genuinely loved the problem-solving and creative aspects of writing code. During college, I learned Java, and it clicked with me instantly. I love how Java allows for clean, understandable code while offering endless opportunities for learning. My interest in coding and Java led me to become a software engineer.

2. What made you apply for a role in Capco’s Technology and Engineering practice?

What drew me to Capco’s Technology and Engineering practice was the unique blend of values and culture it embodies. I connected with Capco’s 'Be Yourself at Work' philosophy and was impressed by the company’s strong market reputation and consistent growth. Most importantly, the people I interacted with were polite, approachable, and grounded. It made me feel like this was a place where I could grow professionally and personally.

3. What has been the most interesting Java project you’ve worked on? What made it so engaging or rewarding?

One of the most interesting Java projects I worked on was a car rental application. It involved working with technologies like SOAP services, RESTful APIs, handling PII data, and integrating with mainframe systems. I also stepped up as an acting lead, taking ownership under tight deadlines. That experience challenged me and helped me grow both technically and professionally, making me more confident and dependable.

4. What technical or professional challenges have you faced in your career as a Java developer, and how have you overcome them?

Initially, working on large-scale enterprise applications with multiple technologies was overwhelming. I had to quickly learn how to handle SOAP and RESTful services, PII data, and mainframe integration under tight timelines. I overcame this by breaking tasks into manageable steps, seeking guidance from my team, and exploring documentation. Acting as a lead under these conditions also helped me build confidence, resilience, and stronger collaboration skills.

5. The tech industry has traditionally been male dominated. Have you experienced any barriers, and how did you navigate them?

While I haven’t experienced major barriers, I have occasionally felt the need to prove myself more in technical discussions. I’ve addressed this by letting my work speak for itself, remaining confident, and participating actively in conversations. Being proactive and open has helped me build credibility, and I’m encouraged to see the industry becoming more inclusive.

6. What misconceptions do people often have about working in Java development? What would you tell them?

A common misconception is that Java is outdated or overly verbose. While Java has a strict structure, that very structure makes it ideal for clean, maintainable code—especially in large systems. Modern Java, with tools like Spring Boot, is faster and more efficient. Java’s stability, extensive community support, and enterprise adaptability make it highly relevant today.

7. What three key traits do you think make someone successful in a Java development team?

1. Clarity in core concepts: A strong understanding of Java fundamentals like OOP, concurrency, and memory management is essential
2. Staying updated: Keeping pace with new frameworks and tools, such as Spring Boot, enhances productivity and solution quality
3. Strong grasp of data structures: Knowing how to use data structures efficiently is key to solving complex problems and optimizing performance.

8. What does 'Be Yourself at Work' mean to you as a woman in tech? How has that influenced your experience at work?

To me, it means embracing my personality and skills without having to conform to stereotypes. Early in my career, my cheerful nature was sometimes misinterpreted, and I tried to tone it down. But I learned that being authentic helps build better team connections and lets my true potential shine. Embracing who I am, has helped me collaborate more effectively and contribute unique perspectives.

9. What advice would you give to women or career changers considering a career in Java or software development more broadly?

Start by building a strong foundation – core programming, data structures, and algorithms. Don’t be intimidated by the technical nature of the field. Stay consistent, be patient, and don’t let stereotypes define your journey. Communicate openly, seek mentorship, and take ownership of your growth. The tech industry has space for diverse voices and perspectives.

10. What are your professional goals or aspirations in the Java or software engineering space?

My goal is to become a software architect, involved in end-to-end project planning and decision-making. I enjoy designing architecture flows and ensuring everything fits together smoothly. I also want to build strong, high-performing teams, and to do so, I’m committed to staying updated with the latest technologies and trends.

11. What do you enjoy doing outside of coding and development?

I love traveling and discovering new places, which gives me fresh perspectives. I also enjoy painting and attending creative workshops, along with the occasional binge-watch session to unwind and recharge!

12. Have any resources such as courses, communities, or mentors been especially influential in your Java career? How have they helped shape your path?

Early on, I learned from YouTube channels like Java Brains and later expanded through Udemy courses. These resources helped me build a strong foundation and stay up to date. Most importantly, mentors have played a huge role. A leader from my first company generously shared his time to teach, and other experienced developers provided feedback and pushed me to grow. Their guidance helped me build confidence, think critically, and improve continuously.