Now this might seem very backwards and opposite of what this blog is all about at first sight. In realty, it’s exactly what this blog is about. Now Let’s get this straight, I am a programmer but I am also much more than that.
I chose to go down this path because I wanted to make a difference in the world, I wanted to be able to have the tools necessary to solve any problem that could arise. I didn’t want to be a programmer, I wanted to become a problem solver.
We live in a world that is basically run by technology and practically anything considered tech you run across is going to run off of some type of code. I’ve always had great ideas for apps, websites, and tools that people could use, but I never had the means to implement them. I needed to learn the tools necessary to make my dreams, my ideas, and my innovations come to life. So this was the path for me, to get where I needed to be to change the world, or at least the sphere of influence that I can control.
I started my journey and coding was not easy and so I wanted to give up and thought maybe it was not for me. And then I ran into a video by a youtuber by the name of Joma Tech. He did a collaboration with IBM for their Call for Coders competition that encourages coders to help the environment and save the world with their code.
It spoke to me and I knew that I wanted to be a programmer, not because I wanted to sit in front of a screen all day and type. But Because I wanted to make a difference.
I had been working in sales for 5 years and I was done sitting at a deck calling people and trying to convince them to buy something that they might not even want. Our time is finite and I was not about to continue wasting most of the hours of my day doing something that was not fulfilling and I knew, would not truly help anyone.
I was done being this:
It was time to be this:
I love what I do and I wouldn’t take back any of the sacrifices I have made to be where I am at now. Of course work is always gonna be work. At some point you will have bad days, bad jobs, and in coding, many many moments of wanting to pull your hair out. But one thing I have learned is that if you love it and know what you want, then it is all worth it.
Sometimes I feel like a masochist because I legitimately enjoy the struggles, and the pain that comes with solving problems. I love not knowing something because that means I have more to learn. The growing pains are real but I would go through them day in and day out because I love it and I know I can make real changes with it. It’s not about the money, the perks or the status, it’s about the journey and where I can go with it. The amazing thing with becoming a programmer is that I can build the path in which I walk.
If you are reading this because you have been looking into programming and want to go down this path, then go for it! Whether you want to self-study, go to a bootcamp, or attend a university, in the words of Shia LaBeouf just do it!
If it is the right occupation for you and you are willing to put in the work, you can do it. And luckily for you the programming field is a huge community where there is always handfuls of people willing to help and help you solve any problems you might have.
Helpful resources to get started
Switch Up – Top Coding Boot Camps
Bubba Blogs 