From zero to one – a wild ride from nothing to now

I recently got promoted to being a Senior Engineer. Yes, it’s a big deal. It’s something to celebrate for and be immensely proud of. Actually, now that I think about it retrospectively, it’s a HUGE deal.

It’s been a wild ride so far – one that started a few years ago amid uncertainty. It was a confusing time in my life. I didn’t know which path to take, how, or where to start from. I was scared at times. I was scared that things wouldn’t work out while trying to figure life out.

But life isn’t meant to be figured out, but to be lived. Or that’s what I’ve learned.

Things seemed that they were heading in the wrong direction at the time. I was working on something I didn’t enjoy and didn’t see a long-term path on. My relationship unexpectedly ended, and I was uncertain of what to do next. But I never gave up on myself when some people around me seemed to had given up on me for the circumstances I was in.

I never gave up on myself because I knew I had the drive, determination, and discipline to dig myself out of that situation. It was up to me and nobody else, so the marathon started.

I took a few weeks to reflect. That was the single best thing I did at that time because the moment I figured what I wanted to do, I poured my heart and soul into preparing to achieve that goal.

I wanted to make a career change from business into engineering.

I knew almost nothing about engineering. Zero. Nada.

I dedicated every single hour before and after work for six months studying, learning, and practicing web development, programming, and everything related to engineering. Nothing stopped me. Not even knowing how difficult it is to break into a new career, let alone software engineering… in the Bay Area.

When I made it, I couldn’t believe it. It was too good to be true. It was a dream come true.

Now that I’m here, things make a bit more sense. But sometimes I still can’t believe it. I’m living the dream, every single week, one day at a time.

Now that I’m here, I still continue having a beginner’s mind and putting as much time, effort, and dedication into learning, practicing, and preparing for whatever comes next in this journey.

It’s been a tough and bumpy journey. But a journey that I don’t regret taking on and a journey and path that I wouldn’t hesitate to take again.

I’m not saying this to impress anybody or to brag about it. I’m just writing this to let you know that you can also make it if you put your heart and soul into something you’re passionate about.