My Journey To Tech

Technology has always been a part of my life, but my journey into the tech industry wasn’t a straight path. From playing video games as a kid to discovering my passion for building software in college, my story is one of exploration, resilience, and unexpected turns.

The Early Spark

My love for technology started at 10 years old, long before I knew what an engineer was. I spent hours playing my Nintendo DS and PlayStation, completely fascinated by how these games worked. At the time, I didn’t realize that the same excitement I felt playing video games would later translate into a career in tech.

Exploring Engineering

As I got older, I became more curious about how technology worked. I started researching different types of engineers to figure out which path I wanted to take. I loved the idea of creating things, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to work with hardware, software, or something else entirely.

My high school guidance counselor played a huge role in shaping my journey. She introduced my mom to a STEM camp at Clemson University where I could explore different avenues of engineering. That experience changed everything for me.

A Shift in Passion: From Hardware to Software

Once I started my computer engineering coursework, I quickly realized something, I didn’t enjoy coding hardware as much as I thought I would. I struggled to stay engaged with microcontrollers, circuits, and assembly language. It wasn’t what I expected, and I started wondering if engineering was really for me.

I had never been exposed to coding, web development, or mobile app creation before college. Coming from a Title 1 elementary, middle, and high school, I never had access to coding classes or robotics programs. My first real introduction to software development didn’t happen until senior year of college, when I took a course on building mobile apps and websites.

That’s when everything clicked.

For the first time, I felt genuinely excited about coding. Unlike hardware programming, which felt rigid and complex, creating apps and websites allowed me to combine logic with creativity. I loved seeing my work come to life instantly on a screen, and I knew this was the direction I wanted to take my career.

A Message to My Younger Self

Looking back, there were many moments when I felt unsure about my place in tech. I didn’t grow up surrounded by programmers. I didn’t have early access to coding classes. I didn’t even see many people who looked like me in this field. But to my younger self, I would say this:

Even if you have never seen it done before, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Just because you don’t have a clear example in front of you doesn’t mean you can’t be the first. Keep going, keep exploring, and never let the fear of the unknown stop you from chasing what excites you.

Where I Am Now

My journey into tech was far from traditional. I went from being a kid obsessed with video games and Legos to a computer engineering student who thought coding wasn’t for her, only to fall in love with software development at the very end of my college career.

Now, as a Software Engineer, I’m constantly learning and growing in this field. I’ve built websites, worked on frontend development, and even dived into UX design. Every project reminds me of why I chose this path—to create, innovate, and build technology that enhances people's lives.

For anyone who feels unsure about their place in tech, know this: it’s okay if your path isn’t linear. Explore, experiment, and follow what excites you. You never know where it might lead.