Why I Quit my Full-Time Job to Learn Code.

Two months ago I quit a full-time job in a pursuit to learn coding. I know that most people would call me insane. You may even argue that the trade-off of giving up a steady paycheck to learn some skill is not worth it. But I've found a few reasons that I believe, along with grit and perseverance, will make my decision worthwhile.

For the past three years, I've slaved away at a manufacturing plant making plastic bottles. The pay was good, but that was the only thing that was. My specific job title was 'Machine Operator'. I worked twelve-hour graveyard shifts, anywhere from three to six days out of a week. I'd started working at the plant when I was only eighteen, so in the beginning the work load was something I could handle. There was no way for me to foresee the toll it would take on my body and mind in just a few years. The abundance of energy I used to have turned into constant exhaustion. Instead of starting my days happy I began to dread going to work and I felt trapped. Why was it - I wondered - that I continued to waste my time on something that added no value to my life? What could I be doing instead that would get me to where I want to be? Where is it that I even wanted to be? All these questions called for some serious self-reflection.

Looking back to when I took the job at the plant, my plan was for me to go to school as well. I chose to study computer science because that's where my passion lay. It sounded ideal to support myself financially and be working towards a degree both at the same time. However, for many reasons (too many to discuss here...perhaps I'll make a vlog post if you guys want me to go into detail about the whole college while working experience) it didn't work. The crumbling began, and rather than quit my job and let myself starve, I just gave up college altogether. I was convinced that keeping a steady 9-5 was the "right" choice. From there all my time and energy went into the job, and I became...lost.

It wasn't until I recieved an out-of-the-blue life lesson that I got the answers to my questions. It happened one day while I was picking up lunch. A friend of mine told me about this restaurant in town that had great lumpia (the lumpia was indeed phenomenal, if you're nearby give them a try! http://www.cabalencuisine.com/ ) . I went and as I was paying, the guy ringing me up mentioned the ongoing pandemic. He said it was negatively affecting his business and he expressed his frustrations/regrets for not continuing his education in computers, and BOOM. We chatted for a minute and I told him my story. In the end he told me something that I thought was important. "No matter what you do, at the end of the day make sure you're spending your time doing something that you actually want to do, and that it'll propel you to where you want to be in the future.", he said. I felt as though the universe intended that message for me. In that moment I realized I didn't want to waste my time at the plant anymore. I realized that instead I wanted to spend it learning something valuable. After our chat, I left the restaurant with a handful of lumpia, and just enough gumption to go quit my job.

I did secure a part-time job to cover bills & basic expenses for the time being. But still, some people think it's crazy that I would give up a full-time job. "Think about what you're losing.", people have warned me. But I don't believe I'm losing at all. On the contrary, I'm gaining so much. When you let go of the idea of instant gratification you begin to see what I'm gaining. I'm gaining my freedom. Once I've honed my skills I can do freelance work, which will allow me to work from home or anywhere else of my choosing. I can set my own schedule, organize my own clientele, and set my own prices based on the value of my work. Compare this to being controlled, over-worked, and under-valued at that manufacturing plant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of web developers is projected to rise by 8% from now until 2029. For software developers, the estimated rise is 22%! This shows me that even if I choose not to freelance and instead I work as a developer at a company that there will be plenty of opportunity. And most important to me, coding allows me to use my creativity. It gives me a unique way to communicate my ideas and visions with others. With some basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript I've started to put together some basic websites. And in the future I plan to learn languages like C++ and Java that will allow me to deploy the various ideas I have for video games & apps.

The possibilities are endless and now I'm able to see that. And while I'm not advocating for anyone to suddenly quit their job, I do encourage you to sit down and check-in with yourself. It's so easy to become complacent with the way we live day-to-day. Make sure what you're doing is making you happy. Imagine what you want five years from today... is what you're doing going to help you get there? If you find that you do want to readjust your path, don't be afraid to take risks. Remember that you only have one life to live, so you might as well do everything in your power to get what you want from it. You owe it to yourself. You do!

Well, that's all for this post! If you enjoyed, share it with a friend who you think may find it interesting. Ttyl, - Sal the Dev