Ali Elfarahty in his own words…
My family moved from Egypt to the US in 2019, and I’ll be honest – the transition wasn’t easy as Covid arrived not long after we did! Isolated and antisocial, I struggled to find my footing. But sometimes the best journeys start with uncertainty.
The Programming Spark
My love of gaming inspired me to sign up for a 2-week C++ game development camp at UW the summer after 9th grade. Those 2 hours of daily programming opened a whole new world for me.
Finding My Community
The real game-changer was discovering Computing For All through a friend on Instagram. From Python fundamentals to hashtag#HTML/CSS and web design, CFA didn’t just teach me to code – it taught me how to learn, connect, and grow. Shoutout to my first CFA teacher Bryan, who made the Level One Python class so fun, and the entire CFA team who believe in students like me! Going through CFA Levels 2-6, I learned that growth mindset isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a way of life.
Building Something Real
Last winter, based on an idea a friend had, I started building an AI program that answers questions about any game, scraping data from 150,000+ game entries. My friend didn’t know Python, so I found video guides to teach him. Sometimes you have to become the teacher to truly master being a student!
The Microsoft Journey Begins
The interview process was nerve-wracking (I was literally stuttering in my first interview!), but CFA’s application and interview preparation training made all the difference. By my second interview, I was connecting with my interviewer about shared interests instead of just answering questions.
Today, I’m proud to be interning at Microsoft, working on hashtag#Copilot Agents projects. Our global team spans from Germany to Asia, and I’m learning that great technology isn’t just about the code – it’s about the connections.
Looking Forward
This fall at UW Bothell I hope to blend my interest in computer science and programming with my interest in building things by majoring in Computer Engineering and Robotics. My short-term goal? MS Explorer program next summer, followed by a college internship the following summer, then getting hired at Microsoft once I graduate from college.
But more than that, I want to keep building, keep learning, and keep pushing forward. As someone wise once told me: “Once you finish something big, don’t take a break – keep going and keep improving your skills.” To anyone feeling lost or uncertain about their path: your journey is just beginning. Embrace the discomfort, find your community, and keep building.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Community matters – find your people (thank you CFA!)
✅ Growth mindset beats talent every time
✅ Networking is about genuine connection, not just collecting contacts
✅ Every small step builds toward something bigger