In my opinion, stepping into the tech world from a non-tech background is much like entering a candy store for the first time. It's a place filled with many flavours, leaving you uncertain about where to start. You end up trying various candies, just to figure out your favourite. That's the exact sensation you get when venturing into tech from a non-tech background.
You see, I've always been fascinated by how things work and driven to make them better. I have vivid memories of my childhood days when I used to disassemble household appliances and try to put them back together, even if it led to a few electrifying encounters. My passion for building and deconstructing and a love for efficiency guided me toward a career where I could construct and deconstruct infrastructures, automate processes, and much more.
In 2019, I earned a degree in health education, and during that period, my laptop was primarily a tool for researching diseases and medical advancements. However, everything changed when a friend casually mentioned "Python" to me. Initially, I was baffled, thinking, "I'm no snake charmer, why are we talking about pythons here?" But he went on to explain the programming language Python (though I must admit, I forgot most of it within minutes – I'm more of a hands-on learner).
My tech journey truly began when I enrolled in a Udacity Introduction to Python course. I was genuinely amazed! Just a few lines of code could perform wonders. Python turned out to be a vast universe with endless possibilities, and that was just one language!
Then, one fine day, while browsing a website, I didn't quite fancy their colour scheme. That got me thinking, "I could probably do better than this, can't I?" So, I ventured into front-end development. After learning the ropes for a few weeks, a friend suggested I join their data analysis class. Intrigued, I leapt, and from there, I explored backend and full-stack development, eventually settling on becoming a Python programmer. But that was just the beginning.
I explored various tech domains until I stumbled upon the captivating world of AWS. AWS and I instantly clicked, leading to my CCP and solutions architect certifications. And let me tell you, I've got some fascinating tales to share about that, but we'll save those stories for another day.
My introduction to the cloud revealed the immense potential of DevOps engineering. You might recall that I mentioned my passion for building and deconstructing things, and DevOps engineering felt like the perfect fit. No more tech-world auditions; I've landed my leading role in the DevOps blockbuster.
Documenting my DevOps project exposed me to the world of technical writing, and that journey ultimately led me to work at Vanus Cloud. I currently hold the position of Chief Editor for all company documents, a blog writer, and a media content creator—essentially, I'm the go-to person for explaining how our products work to our audience.
I realized that I have a fondness for documentation. I find great satisfaction in the idea that thorough documentation simplifies the journey for newcomers, allowing me to break down even the most intricate concepts into something easily comprehensible, even for individuals with no prior tech experience.
I cherish every twist and turn in my journey, including the initial pathway dance, although I can't help but wonder how much time I could've saved if I had initially conducted thorough research, aligning my choices with my principles and interests. Dancing around helped me a lot, and I'm not going to say I regret it because it was a part of my journey. But I advise that if you're planning on going into tech, you need to do a lot of research. And not just personal studies. Speak to those who are currently in tech, ask them about what they do, ask about the time constraints of their pathway, find people to mentor you, find things that speak to you, and then roll with it.
So, what's the takeaway here? For those venturing into tech, especially those without prior experience, take a step back, do some research, and explore all the different paths available. What resonates with you? What sparks your curiosity? What makes you want to channel your inner Gollum and exclaim, "My precious"? Find that passion and pursue it with dedication. Don't treat it as a mere pastime; treat it like a trusted friend.
Indeed, the path to discovery varies from person to person. What suits you may not become evident from the get-go; it might require some hopping from one pathway to another. Yet, armed with the right information, it can feel more akin to bungee jumping—an exhilarating and purposeful adventure that keeps you engaged and thrilled with each leap.
And if you're inclined to be a multi-skilled tech enthusiast, go for it! Seek complementary skills that enhance your expertise. I'm a DevOps engineer, an AWS-certified solutions architect, and also a technical writer. This multi-faceted knowledge comes in handy when crafting infrastructures and selecting the perfect resources.
Alright, my friends, it's time to wrap up my unofficial "TED talk”. I know, I know, why is it ending so suddenly? It feels like there's more to discuss, and you've grown fond of my lengthy speeches masquerading as informative pieces. But fear not, there will be more articles to come. After all, I have to save some insights for the next post, don't I?
Thank you for embarking on this journey with me. If you have any questions about navigating the tech field as a newcomer or simply wish to share your own experiences, please feel free to leave a comment. I'm here as your dedicated cloud enthusiast, committed to safeguarding the cloud, one EC2 instance at a time.