When I look back on how I started in tech, it feels like a mix of curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to get my hands dirty. I didn’t always know I’d end up working in this field, but the path here has been full of lessons, growth, and plenty of moments that shaped how I approach problems today.
Disclaimer: This content has been generated with the help of ChatGPT 4o.
Getting Started
My interest in tech wasn’t some grand moment of revelation—it was more like a series of small steps. I’ve always been interested in solving problems and understanding how things work, which naturally led me to exploring programming. At first, it was a hobby. I followed tutorials, tinkered with simple projects, and spent way too much time figuring out why something wasn’t working.
Those early days were frustrating but rewarding. Building a working piece of code felt like unlocking a level in a game—challenging, but worth it. And while the initial focus was on getting things to work, it soon became about understanding why they worked.
Learning by Doing
Tech isn’t something you learn once and master forever. It’s a field that demands constant growth, and for me, most of that growth came from doing the work. Early on, I worked on small software projects to sharpen my coding skills, and over time, I found myself diving deeper into data engineering. Working with data pipelines, wrangling datasets, and optimizing processes brought its own set of challenges—and I loved every bit of it.
Of course, mistakes were part of the process. I’ve written scripts that broke under pressure, spent hours debugging issues that were deceptively simple, and refactored code I thought was “good enough” but wasn’t. Each misstep taught me something valuable, whether it was a technical skill or how to approach problems more effectively.
Finding My Path
Over time, I found myself shifting between roles that focused on software engineering and data engineering. The overlap between the two helped me approach problems from different angles—whether it was designing scalable systems or ensuring data integrity in complex workflows.
What I enjoy most about these roles is how they combine structure and creativity. On one hand, there are frameworks and best practices to follow; on the other, you’re always figuring out how to adapt those rules to solve unique problems. That blend keeps things exciting and pushes me to keep learning.
Collaboration and Community
One thing that surprised me as I progressed in tech is just how important people are to the process. Whether it’s working with teammates to design a solution or learning from open-source contributors, collaboration is at the core of what makes this industry work.
Over time, I’ve come to value clear communication and teamwork just as much as technical skills. Some of my proudest moments have come from helping others solve problems, sharing knowledge, or being part of a team effort that made something great happen.
What’s Next?
Tech is a moving target. Tools evolve, best practices shift, and new challenges emerge. That’s part of what keeps me motivated—there’s always something new to figure out. Whether it’s diving deeper into data workflows, exploring new frameworks, or finding better ways to design systems, I’m always looking to grow.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that there’s no one “right” way to approach this journey. Everyone’s path looks different, and that’s okay. For me, it’s been about staying curious, embracing challenges, and being open to change. And that’s a mindset I plan to carry with me wherever this road leads next.
Thanks for reading! If you’re on a similar path or just getting started, remember: every small step counts. Keep exploring, keep building, and don’t hesitate to reach out to others along the way. You never know where it might lead.