009: The Courage of Choosing Happiness: Reyyan Ayfer on Curiosity, Reinvention, and Trusting Your Own Path

In this episode, Parul speaks with Reyyan Ayfer, a professor, technologist, and community builder whose life has been guided by a simple decision she made at 17: to prioritize happiness over any fixed plan.Reyyan reflects on a childhood shaped by curiosity and discipline, where asking questions was encouraged and learning was driven by genuine interest. That early mindset stayed with her as she chose mathematics, not because she knew where it would lead, but because it felt right at the time.What followed was a career built through small, decisive actions. From discovering programming in its early days to working on banking systems and later transitioning into academia, she consistently chose to move toward what felt meaningful and step away from what did not.She also shares how her work expanded beyond her own career through building communities for women in computing across Europe, creating spaces for connection, support, and growth. The conversation explores what it means to trust yourself, embrace uncertainty, and shape a life one decision at a time.Explore the Conversation00:00 Following Curiosity Without a Plan03:06 Growing Up in Ankara: A Childhood of Questions06:24 Choosing Happiness as a Life Direction09:12 A Father’s Story of Survival, Resilience, and Dedication 13:34 Navigating University and the Reality of Mathematics 17:32 Women in Computing in 1974: When Gender Was Not a Barrier 20:32 Discovering Programming in the Early Days of Computing21:50 Building a Career in Technology and Banking Systems24:09 Walking Away to Realign With What Matters27:00 Becoming a Professor and Building ACM-W Europe34:04 Hugging the Situation: Embracing Life’s Uncontrollables 38:32 Advice for Young Women: Know Yourself FirstExplore more:Connect with Reyyan Ayfer on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/reyyanayfer/]