More than a decade of journey in software development
No matter how experienced you are, the feeling remains the same. You face the same problems every day, but as the years go by, you discover multiple ways to solve a single problem.
It’s not that I dreamt of becoming a software engineer as a child. I wasn’t a computer geek, nor was I a gamer. I stumbled into the tech world by accident. In the beginning, I struggled a lot, even with basic concepts. Understanding C programming during my undergraduate studies was a nightmare. I was often the last person left in the computer programming lab at engineering school, trying to figure things out. It was stressful and made me feel inadequate. I genuinely thought I’d never be able to write even a single line of code in my life.
I didn’t understand what my professors taught and lacked the courage to ask questions. Without a firm grasp of programming fundamentals, data structures and algorithms felt impossible to comprehend. Most of my peers considered me too weak to understand programming. To make matters worse, I didn’t have a computer or laptop at home to practice. I practiced programming on paper and managed to pass exams that way, though it made little sense to me at the time.
Where I am today is the result of self-driven learning throughout my career. The hunger to grasp deeper concepts never left me. I’ve always wanted to understand, in detail, how computers work and accomplish tasks. That curiosity has kept me motivated after all these years.
I’m not an expert or a "10x software engineer," but I have a deep love for learning and continually pushing myself to grow in this field. Here's a brief reflection on 10 years of my journey, captured in words.
2013
I began my career building web applications with PHP, CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. It was an exciting time, and the thrill of hosting my first news portal on GoDaddy remains unforgettable. Back then, tools like FileZilla were popular, though I wonder if anyone still uses them now!
One of my most vivid memories is discovering Stack Overflow. My friend and I were stuck on a problem and, after seeking help from mentors, we were introduced to this online forum. I was amazed by people who were helping each other for free!
2014
After completing my undergraduate studies in computer engineering, I faced a tough job market. Despite applying for over 100 jobs, I landed only four interviews. I was nervous and unprepared, failing to answer even basic questions.
My break came through a friend's referral to a small company looking for interns. The pay was minimal, but the experience of debugging others' problems boosted my confidence immensely, preparing me for better opportunities.
2015–2017
I secured my first full-time role as an Android Developer, and it was a steep learning curve. I worked tirelessly, often late into the night and on weekends, absorbing as much as I could. This phase taught me the value of hard work and the importance of staying curious.
In 2017, I moved to different country for a new role. However, the cultural shock and my own introversion made the experience challenging. Unable to adapt, I returned home, reflecting on my resilience and perseverance.
2018
Joining a mobile app development firm marked a turning point. I played a significant role in improving processes and practices, and I also began focusing on my personal growth—reading books, observing my mind, and prioritising health. These lessons have stayed with me ever since.
2019–2020
In 2019, I started my own company, which, despite its failure, taught me invaluable lessons about entrepreneurship and resilience. I transitioned to backend development at a health startup, which rekindled my passion for learning and growth.
2021–2022
Moving to Paris for my Master’s in Computer Science was eye-opening. I met people from diverse backgrounds and discovered weaknesses in my communication skills. An internship at a top data company exposed me further to my limitations, motivating me to improve.
2023
The year began with a daunting job hunt—over 300 applications and countless rejections. But perseverance paid off, and I landed a role at a leading tech company. Along the way, I honed my problem-solving skills by practicing on LeetCode, turning setbacks into stepping stones.
2024
This year has been about consolidating my growth. I earned my AWS Associate Solution Architect certification and resumed writing to improve communication skills. Seeing my family after three years and climbing a 4,130m mountain with my sister were personal highlights.
Time flies so fast. It has been more than 10 years since I started my journey in software development, yet it feels like I began just yesterday. Despite the experience I’ve gained, I can’t point to a single day where I’ve felt truly proud of myself or fully satisfied with my growth. Each day brings its own struggles, moments of fun, and a sea of unknowns. Even now, I find myself anxious, relying on resources like Stack Overflow and GitHub sample projects to navigate new technologies and frameworks.
The feeling remains the same, even after all these years. There hasn’t been a day when I’ve felt completely confident in myself or where I’ve excelled in meetings or discussions. Every day is an opportunity to learn, to explore, and to discover a new dimension of who I am. Each day presents a fresh challenge.
I used to believe that with experience, the struggles would diminish—that there would come a day when I’d feel at ease. But that day hasn’t arrived yet, and I’m not sure if it ever will. Perhaps this is just the nature of the journey, and the feeling will stay with me forever.