My Personal journey into tech
Breaking into tech at age 40 might sound like a daunting challenge, especially when it requires leaving behind a secure, well-paying job. For me, however, it was a journey that redefined my life, my career, and my understanding of what it means to follow a passion.
The Cyber Café Days
It all started in the most unlikely of places, cyber cafés. Back then, these were the hubs of curiosity and learning for many of us. I would spend countless hours in these cramped, dimly lit rooms, where the sound of keyboards clacking and the hum of outdated computers created an atmosphere that was oddly motivating. My friends would often ask me what I was doing, and my answer was always the same: I was feeding my curiosity about technology.
I was intrigued by technology, its vast potential and the way it was rapidly changing the world. I scoured the internet for tutorials, articles, and any resource I could find on coding, software development, and IT in general. The more I learned, the more my passion grew, and so did my desire to transition into the tech industry. But it wasn't an easy road.
The Four-Year Struggle
In the year 2016, I realised I needed to live a more purposeful life, and the only answer was for me to break into tech space.
For over Four years, I juggled my full-time job with late-night study sessions. My days were spent in the office, and my nights were dedicated to learning how to code, understanding the basics of computer science, and familiarising myself with the latest tech trends. It was exhausting, but the idea of one day working in tech kept me going.
Despite the long hours and the steep learning curve, I never lost sight of my goal. There were times when I felt overwhelmed, especially when I struggled to grasp complex concepts. Yet, every small victory like finally debugging a stubborn piece of code or creating a simple web page fuelled my determination.
Eventually, the pieces started falling into place. I began to see how my years of dedication and countless hours in cyber cafés were paying off. But there was still one more major decision to make, a decision that would challenge everything I knew about security and success.
Leaving It All Behind
I was working in a stable, well paying job at the time. It was the kind of position most people dream of, offering financial security. But I knew that if I wanted to make a real leap into tech, I needed to give it my all. So, after much contemplation, I did the unthinkable, I resigned.
When I announced my decision, the reactions were mixed. Friends, colleagues, and even family members were shocked. They couldn’t understand why I would leave such a lucrative job to pursue a career in a field where I had no formal experience. I was called reckless, and some even suggested that I was going through a midlife crisis. To be honest, there were moments when I doubted myself too. But deep down, I knew that this was what I wanted.
The Payoff
Breaking into tech wasn’t immediate. The first few months were tough, filled with uncertainty and the challenge of proving myself in an industry that’s often seen as a young person’s game. But slowly, opportunities started to come my way. I landed my first part-time job as a code reviewer at Microverse, the coding bootcamp I learnt how to code, before I eventually secured a full-time position in a tech start-up as full-stack developer and now co-founded tech start-ups.
The transition wasn’t just about switching careers; it was about rediscovering myself. Tech allowed me to be creative, solve problems, and work in an environment that was constantly evolving. Every day brought new challenges, but it also brought new opportunities to learn and grow. And for the first time in years, I felt truly fulfilled.
Reflections
Looking back, breaking into tech at 40 was one of the most significant decisions I’ve ever made. It taught me that it’s never too late to pursue your passion, that age is just a number when it comes to learning, and that sometimes, you have to take risks to achieve the life you want.
Yes, it was scary to leave behind a secure job and step into the unknown. But the rewards, both personal and professional have been worth every moment of uncertainty. Today, I’m not just a tech professional; I’m someone who followed their passion, defied the odds, and proved that it’s never too late to start over.
To anyone out there who’s considering a similar leap, remember this: your dreams are valid, no matter how old you are or where you’re starting from. And sometimes, the craziest decisions turn out to be the best ones.
If I can, you can too.
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