Background & Introduction to Coding
Mahlet discovered programming through a university afterschool STEM program near her hometown, 200 kilometers from Addis Ababa. She participated in "1,000 Girls, 1,000 Futures," an initiative connecting girls with female scientists, and became a New York Academy of Science member. Her strong mathematics and physics foundation led naturally toward engineering.
University & A2SV Enrollment
She attended Addis Ababa University, one of few women in her engineering program. When A2SV founder Emre Varol visited her department, she applied and joined during her third year. She found the program offered "practical problem-solving with data structures and algorithms" beyond her university coursework.
Internship Experiences
Google (3 months)
After passing coding challenges and two phone interviews, visa delays postponed her U.S. placement. The following year, she advanced through two additional phone interviews and received a matching offer for Google London.
Databricks (4 months)
She completed a coding challenge and three interview rounds, ultimately presenting her project work at Databricks Amsterdam.
These experiences were life-changing - they enabled collaboration with highly intelligent people on projects with global impact.
- Mahlet Dereje Haile
Current Work: Akil Project
Mahlet leads Akil, designed to bridge NGOs and volunteers through a centralized platform. The project addresses the difficulty of connecting skilled volunteers with organizations needing their services. Currently in beta testing with early adopters, next steps include refinement and broader deployment.
Future Vision
She aims to leverage her tech industry experience to tackle significant African challenges, prioritizing technology's role in social good. Mahlet represents the best of what A2SV produces - talented engineers who give back to their communities while excelling on the global stage.