and how it changed how think about everything.
I noticed a wrestling buddy had this strange looking text book with ants on it.
I cracked it open and my mind entered another dimension…or at least it felt like it lol. It was the first time I laid eyes on code and my thoughts were –
“Wow what is this?”
“I’ve never seen any literature like this before”
“It’s not math, it’s not English or any other subject”
I was intrigued. Before opening the book I was already interested in computers to a very shy extent. I ended up taking the same elective that my friend was in; I had to know more.
And that elective was my gateway to future.
—
When I moved to Texas (my second year coding) my school only offered “Computer Science” which taught a language called Java. Here’s is where things started to get interesting:
- I was able to delve deeper into a mainstream backend programming language
- I met some VERY VERY bright classmates
- I began to understand how algorithms work visually
My high school offered Advanced Placement (AP) classes which gained you college credit.
THAT is when I started profiting from software development; although not financially but I received FREE COLLEGE CREDIT just for taking an exam at the end of the year. I took it without a doubt.
Now I will say that I competed in the Computer Science league under Texas UIL. That gave me a lot of practice.
Oh and remember those bright classmates I met? Well they competed in almost every subject – math, biology, chemistry, robotics…
All of them (which were 1 year younger than me) went to prestigious universities.
—
Fast forward to college graduation. I walked the stage having earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a major in Computer Information Systems and a SIGNED JOB OFFER as a Software Developer.
Not everyone can say they walked out of college with a job in the field they graduated with!!!
—
College projects were cute. Real world, enterprise projects are IMMENSE. I WAS HONESTLY INTIMIDATED. For the first few years!
***But the JUICE was all in the learning***
I learned how different systems were designed
I learned how the data is stored and analyzed at scale
I learned how to communicate and operate effectively in team settings
I made lots of mistakes
I met my first mentors and peers whom I still know and talk to ’til this day
I became a professional software developer who delivered on HARD tasks
This took time.
—
Everything that coding has taught me, has helped me make decisions in other part of my life.
When I travel (which I’ve been able to pretty comfortably), I am deliberate about all the details.
I am ORGANIZED.
I am ON TIME.
I KNOW THE DATA (airline, times, etc).
This is profit! Mentally.
–
In my side projects, I have the knowledge to AUTOMATE. And this has made my life so much easier. Automation is key to make any process efficient.
–
My bills and cashflows are automated
–
I know how to safely create and store passwords
–
I know how to better sniff out fishy things online
All these little things, to me are MENTAL PROFIT. What does that mean? That means you’re becoming SMARTER!
Software development and the peers you will meet along the way will elevate your knowledge.
And we all know that KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.
Is that something you’d like to attain for this new year? 🙂
Sending good vibes,
– Mike