Shoemaking to programming :How I moved from crafting shoes to crafting codes -Dev retro 2022
Overview
Hello, my name is Peter Kimbeghi and I'm a shoemaker turned web developer. In this article, I'll be sharing my journey in the tech industry, starting from my early years as a shoemaker to my current role as a web developer.
For those who don't know, I started my career as a shoemaker, making and repairing shoes for a living. However, I always had a passion for technology and eventually decided to make the switch to a career in the tech industry.
Over the past few months, I've learned a lot and accomplished many things, and I'm excited to share my journey with you. In this article, you'll learn about my education and training, my career highlights, and my future goals in the tech industry.
I hope that my story inspires others to pursue their passions and follow their dreams, no matter how unconventional they may seem. So, let's get started!
Early Year's
My journey in the tech industry officially began in April of 2022, but my interest in technology dates back much further. In fact, I've been interested in technology since 2016, but it wasn't until 2019 that I finally had access to a good laptop(personal computer) and was able to really dive into learning about computers and programming.
During this time, I spent a lot of time learning about different technologies and how they worked. I read books, watched online tutorials, and practiced coding on my own. I am self-taught and still actively learning for the most part, but I also took some online courses to supplement my learning.
Despite my enthusiasm for technology, I didn't initially pursue a career in the tech industry. At the time, I was working as a shoemaker and didn't think I had the necessary skills or education to break into the tech field. However, as I gained more knowledge and confidence in my abilities, I began to consider a career change.
In April of 2022, I finally made the decision to leave my job as a shoemaker and pursue a career in tech. It was a scary decision, but one that I'm glad I made. Looking back, it's hard to believe that just a few years ago, I was making shoes for a living, and now I'm a web developer. It just goes to show that it's never too late to follow your dreams and pursue a career in something you're passionate about.
Education and Training
After deciding to pursue a career in tech, I knew that I needed to invest in my education and training in order to succeed. I started by enrolling in the Alx software engineering program, which provided me with a strong foundation in computer science and programming.
In addition to my formal education, I also relied heavily on online resources to supplement my learning. The YouTube channels FreeCodeCamp, Traversy Media, and Kubow were particularly helpful, as were the CS50 course from Harvard University which I'm still taking. These resources provided me with a wealth of knowledge and practical experience, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the industry.
Aside from my technical education, I also made sure to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the tech industry. I attended conferences, read articles and blogs, and participated in online communities to keep my skills and knowledge fresh.
Overall, my education and training have been crucial to my success in the tech industry. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as a web developer.
Career Highlights
During my career in the tech industry, I've had the opportunity to work on a number of exciting projects and achieve many notable accomplishments. Here are just a few highlights:
- Just 5 months after starting out in tech, I was offered a job teaching HTML and CSS. This was a huge motivation for me and helped me realize that I had the knowledge and skills to succeed in the tech industry.
- A few weeks later, I volunteered to teach children between the ages of 8-17 about web development. It was a great opportunity to give back and inspire the next generation of tech professionals.
- In the last 8 months, I've worked on a number of projects and gained a lot of knowledge and experience. I've learned HTML, CSS, Bootstrap (a CSS framework), JavaScript, Django, and I'm currently learning React.js. Each project has helped me grow and learn, and I'm excited to continue developing my skills.
Overall, I'm grateful for the opportunities and experiences I've had during my career in the tech industry. Each project and accomplishment has helped me grow and learn, and I'm excited to see what the future holds.
Future Goals
As I look to the future, I have a number of goals that I hope to achieve in the tech industry. One of my biggest aspirations is to work for a FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google) organization within the next 5 years or less. These companies are known for their innovative technology and talented teams, and I believe that working for one of them would be a great opportunity to learn and grow as a tech professional.
In addition to my career goals, I also hope to use my knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the shoemaking industry. I'm passionate about using technology to create solutions and improve processes, and I believe that I can bring this expertise to the shoemaking industry.
Finally, I hope to inspire and mentor young children, helping them to discover their passion for technology and encouraging them to pursue careers in the tech industry. I believe that investing in the next generation is crucial to the success and growth of the tech industry, and I want to do my part to help shape the future.
In all these, I'm excited about what the future holds and I'm determined to work hard and achieve my goals in the tech industry.