Issue 31

July 30, 2024

Blazing My Own Trail in Tech

I recently wrote about the time I almost left my software engineering career. I thought this would be a good time to write about how my career started in tech. We all have our own story and my story is uniquely mine.

I haven’t always worked in tech. And I don’t have a traditional background as a software engineer. Yet I’ve been in the industry for over 17 years at the time of writing this. I’ve found my passion and have no plans to leave the world of software anytime soon.

I want to share the story of how I got into software engineering. And I want to show you how to blaze your path forward in your career.

My first career

Before I started coding for a living, I was a Spanish teacher. My mother is from Honduras. I was fascinated with learning Spanish when I was younger. This led me to pursue degrees in Spanish and Hispanic Literature.

For five years I taught Spanish to students in high school and college. And while I loved teaching and helping my students, I didn’t like everything else that went along with being a teacher.

I wasn’t very disciplined when it came to grading assignments and planning lessons. Rather than doing this work at school, I took it home with me. This blurred the line between work and life. And made me feel like I was always working.

But what eventually drove me away from teaching was the politics. As a teacher, you have to please many people, including parents and administrators. It’s a game that I didn’t want to play. So I decided to switch careers.

I don’t regret my time as a Spanish teacher. I got to do what I loved at the time. And more importantly, I learned life-long lessons about teaching. My experience as a teacher has shaped me into the engineering leader I am today.

How I got into tech

In 2007, I bought a couple of books on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I started learning how to build websites. And I was hooked.

I remember being amazed by the power of CSS. All it took was some creativity and code to create a digital masterpiece. And to this day, I still get excited when I build user interfaces.

When I realized that I could code and get paid for it, I enrolled in a program with an online school. I took courses in web design and development, laying the foundation for my new career.

Soon after, I landed my first job as a Web Developer with a small startup in Connecticut. I successfully switched careers and proved to myself that I could do anything if I wanted to.

Learning on the job

When I look back on my career, one fact stands taller than the rest. I learned how to code by coding.

If you want to get better at coding, you have to code. You can read all the programming books in the world and take the best online courses. But if you’re not building, you aren’t learning.

Early in my career, I struggled to learn JavaScript. I read books and bought courses. And I even failed many interviews because I lacked advanced skills.

So how did I get better at JavaScript? I learned on the job. I asked to work on projects outside of my comfort zone. I signed up for engineering tasks that required me to reach for the advanced parts of JavaScript. And little by little, I got better.

Sometimes you can’t always do this at your 9-5. If so, level up your skills through side projects. Build an app or website that will force you to learn something new. I’ve learned new APIs and frameworks by working on side projects.

Embrace your own story

Wherever you are in your career, you can always share your story. No one has one like it. And no one else ever will.

Your story can help you get hired and promoted or even your first customer for your side project. The possibilities are limitless. But first, you have to tell it.

Whether you post on social media, have a virtual chat, or write a newsletter, weave in your story. People like to root for underdogs and survivors. And companies hire people who overcome challenges and learn from their mistakes.

Your story is the most important part of your brand. It shows people where you came from, how far you’ve traveled, and where you’re headed. Everyone’s journey is different and that’s what’s so special about sharing your story. It’s a one-of-one, like a rare collectible.

The next time you feel embarrassed to share your story, remember this. Your ordinary accomplishments might be extraordinary to others. Your failures and missteps might be impressive to some. And your chaotic career journey might qualify you for your next big thing.

Thanks for reading this week. See you next week! 👋

David Weiss Founder • Made by DW ​Follow me on X, LinkedIn, & Instagram​

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