The Journey from Elevator Technician to Software Engineer
In 2020, my world turned upside down. I was working as an elevator technician—a solid, hands-on job that I enjoyed. But when the pandemic hit, I found myself unexpectedly laid off, facing a mortgage, credit card debt, and a two-year-old daughter to support.
The Moment Everything Changed
It was during this dark period that I heard a quiet voice in my mind:
"Don't worry. This is just your origin story."
That simple phrase changed everything. Instead of seeing my situation as a dead end, I began to see it as the beginning of something new.
Embracing the Unknown
I decided to take on something completely foreign: software development. With no prior coding experience, I immersed myself in:
- JavaScript and Ruby on Rails
- Web development fundamentals
- Problem-solving and logical thinking
- Building software from the ground up
The Learning Process
The journey wasn't easy. I faced countless challenges:
- Imposter syndrome - feeling like I didn't belong in tech
- Technical complexity - learning new concepts daily
- Financial pressure - needing to provide for my family
- Time management - balancing learning with responsibilities
But each obstacle only strengthened my resolve.
Where I Am Today
Since then, I've: - Built applications that power real businesses - Led development teams - Automated complex workflows - Architected scalable platforms
The Lesson
Your past doesn't define your future. Every challenge is preparation for something greater. When life knocks you down, remember: this is just your origin story.
The best way to predict the future is to create it.