Becoming a Software Developer: My Journey

When I first dipped my toes into the world of tech, I thought it would be simple: watch a few tutorials, practice a little, and suddenly I’d be a coding wizard. Reality humbled me quickly. Tech isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon filled with late nights, countless bugs, and the patience to keep going even when progress feels slow.

Looking back, I realize my journey didn’t happen in a straight line. It had pauses, detours, and comebacks, but every moment shaped the developer I am today.

👣 The Early Spark

My first exposure to IT and computer science came through formal study. At the time, I didn’t even know this was the start of something much bigger. Life circumstances meant I couldn’t continue in that direction immediately, and I ended up working outside of tech.

But that spark never left. Even when I was away from coding, I felt the pull of technology—the curiosity, the challenge, and the dream of creating something of my own.

🔄 Returning to Tech

Eventually, I decided to chase after that dream again. I started small, picking up online courses, watching tutorials, and experimenting with projects on my own. Those first steps were messy—half-finished apps, errors I couldn’t debug, long hours trying to understand documentation—but they were necessary.

What pushed me forward wasn’t talent or instant understanding—it was persistence.

🎓 Building a Foundation

To deepen my learning, I joined coding schools that gave me structure and a community. Studying alongside peers, tackling projects together, and having mentors made a huge difference.

This was where I built the foundation:

• Frontend skills in React and Next.js.
• Backend skills with Node.js, Express, and PostgreSQL.
• Exploring mobile apps with React Native and Expo.
• Diving into databases, APIs, and deployment.

Every new skill was a piece of the puzzle, giving me more confidence to build real projects.

🚀 From Projects to Work

I didn’t wait for a “perfect moment” to call myself a developer. Instead, I started building:

• A portfolio site to showcase my skills.
• An eCommerce store with wishlist, cart system, and admin dashboard.
• A project tracker to manage and reach out to creators.
• Client work—helping others put their ideas online.

Each project was another step forward. Some were small wins, some were long struggles, but all of them taught me lessons I couldn’t learn from tutorials alone.

Soon after, opportunities to work on contracts opened up. Those experiences tested not just my coding skills, but also communication, deadlines, and problem-solving in the real world.

🌍 Where I Am Today

Now I work at Webwiser (WBWR) as a developer. Every day brings new challenges, but also new chances to grow. I get to apply everything I’ve learned over the years—from self-study and coding schools to side projects and client work—while continuing to sharpen my skills in a professional environment.

🛠️ What Really Made the Difference

If I had to summarize the lessons from my journey so far, they would be:

• Practice beats perfection. The best way to learn coding is by coding, failing, fixing, and trying again.
• Projects matter. They show you where the gaps are and give you real confidence when you solve problems.
• Community helps. Mentors, peers, and collaboration speed up your growth more than you might think.
• Consistency compounds. Even if you only understand 10% of what you learn today, that knowledge stacks up over time.

I don’t have photographic memory, and I forget a lot of what I read or watch. But that doesn’t stop me—because each small gain adds up, and one day you realize how far you’ve come.

✨ Final Thoughts

My path into software developing wasn’t straight. It started, paused, restarted, and took longer than I expected. But looking back, every detour mattered.

If you’re starting your own journey—or if you feel stuck—remember this:

• Struggles and setbacks don’t mean you’re failing.
• Taking a break doesn’t mean you’re done.
• What matters most is coming back, again and again.

I’m still at the beginning of my career, but I’ve already seen how persistence turns into progress. And I know this is only the beginning of what’s possible.

👋 Stay consistent. Stay curious. Keep building.

Software Engineering · Career Development · Personal Growth