My Journey Begins

Reflecting on my early years, I struggled with math, leading me to believe that programming was out of my reach. With a lack of supportive teachers and a disinterest in academics, I spent my time gaming rather than studying. However, my fascination with computers began at an early age, sparked by my grandfather's stories of building PCs. I would often watch him and ask questions, which solidified my interest in hardware.

Despite my early passion, I found programming perplexing. The concept of the internet being composed of zeros and ones baffled me, and I dismissed the idea of becoming a software developer. While I excelled at assembling PCs for friends and troubleshooting their tech issues, my programming skills remained undeveloped until I was 19.

My first encounter with coding was under less-than-ideal circumstances. I had a challenging teacher who put students on the spot, making the learning environment quite intimidating. Despite this, my curiosity about programming persisted. I purchased a hefty C++ book, hoping to learn, but soon found myself overwhelmed and set it aside for three years.

A Turning Point

My breakthrough came during an internship at a large company that utilized React. I was eager to contribute and learn, even though I had limited experience with JavaScript. Despite my inexperience, I dove into coding React applications, encouraged by a mentor who provided guidance. After a few weeks, I successfully submitted my first piece of code, a moment that filled me with pride and determination.

I knew I wanted to work in an agile environment rather than pursue a traditional university degree. Unfortunately, when my internship ended, I faced a difficult period marked by financial challenges and uncertainty. I found myself struggling to secure interviews, often feeling discouraged as I dealt with rejection.

Learning from Adversity

However, I decided to focus my efforts on companies that resonated with me, tailoring my applications to align with their values. This approach led me to an opportunity with a construction startup, where I faced a daunting coding challenge involving a real bug in their React Native app. Despite my nerves, I managed to solve it, which was a significant milestone in my journey.

During the interview, I felt the pressure of not having a university degree. The CEO reassured me that while he valued his education, it wasn't essential for success in the role. This conversation eased my anxiety, and after a tense weekend of waiting, I received the job offer I had desperately wanted.

Embracing New Opportunities

In my new role, I worked diligently for 1.5 years, honing my skills in React and TypeScript. Though my salary was modest by U.S. standards, it marked the beginning of a promising career. I realized that my journey was just starting, and I was grateful for the opportunities that came my way.

In just six months, I managed to grasp HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, and TypeScript, thanks to prior programming exposure and a commitment to learning. My experience serves as a reminder that with determination and the right support, it's possible to turn your passions into a successful career.

This video details my journey of becoming a self-taught frontend developer in just six months.

In this video, I share how I learned to code in six months and landed my first job as a self-taught developer.