2024: Into Computers I Venture

#devchallenge #newyearchallenge #career #webdev

This is a submission for the 2025 New Year Writing challenge: Retro’ing and Debugging 2024.

The year of the dragon, my year! Well, it didn't quite feel like it started off like that.

January 2024

I worked myself into the ground at a previous job. The air was toxic and I would get a migraine when they would cut the acrylic sheets with lasers. There were no windows for sunlight, and the culture was not a great fit for me. I took the job out of desperation (even though I was initially excited about it, because I got to use Illustrator and do some light design work for printing...) I also started to get severe bouts of vertigo. Anyways, I left in December 2023 for health reasons.

I started 2024 unemployed and unwell.

I had to put my pet cat "Carl" to rest during the first week of January. It was sudden and upsetting.

He had a much better life with me than he would have at a shelter. RIP Fuzzy Kittens.

January wasn't done with me however. A few weeks later, I ended up getting an emergency surgery to get a pointless and problematic organ removed: The gallbladder. I was in a sudden, all encompassing pain around my torso. I went to 3 different hospitals that day before one was equipped to deal with my particular issue. Fast forward a week, I can barley move.

Being stuck on the couch unable to move is not fun, especially for a busy body such as myself. This is actually where a lightbulb switches on. What can I do on the couch for a really long time that's interesting? CODING ON MY LAPTOP!

I had previously started to pick at some HTML/CSS/JavaScript courses online. I decided that if I was to be stuck at home, I best figure out how to maximize my time. So, I spent the next 30 days ripping through courses on Coursera. I even pulled out the whiteboard one time when I got super frustrated with JavaScript, trying to understand it. Physically, I couldn't move much. But in my head I was like this:

Accurate.

Late winter & Early Spring 2024

I was reading all about how to become a developer, how to land my first job, how to be relevant, ect. How can I get a job as a programmer at my ripe age of 36, spending most of my life in art and nutrition?

I got into everything.

I found an online group on meetup where I have made valuable friendships that will probably last a lifetime. I have honestly made more meaningful relationships because of this journey. I started posting here on DEV. I went full google ninja mode to find opportunities for newbies. After a few months of this high energy chaos I stumbled into my very first paid opportunity.

Spring 2024

In my rigorous search, I discovered a program nearby. Upon discovery around May, I realized I had maybe a month or two to fulfill all of the pre-requisite material to be considered for an interview for the program. Scrambling ensued. I did not want to sit around for another six months or a year for a chance at maybe finding something else.

Summer 2024

Upon completion of the pre-requisite material, I was offered an interview, and ultimately landed a spot in a fullstack web development apprenticeship! What?!

Shortly before the program started, I had been talking to my friend about wanting a nice computer this and that. I became convinced that I needed to build my own. Because, curious. I figured I would try to build my own PC before the program started because I would be too busy to do that then.

You can view my full story on that here: First PC Build

Fall and Winter 2024

It was a long commute to the program, roughly 2.5 hours one way for 12 weeks. (Car, train, walk) But I knew this was too important and I made an agreement with myself that I could survive 12 weeks, because my potential future hung in the balance. Upon successful completion of the program in December, I received a software development foundations certificate from Discovery Partners Institute in Chicago, many new friends, and plans for the future. I experienced a full range of emotions in 2024. Definitely year of the dragon.

I have my first solo full-stack application in the works. We created a minimum viable product in the program, but I am determined to make it sparkly. It's a good feeling.

I also got some hard lessons about modifying my computer.

If you want some entertainment, the full post is here: PSU Drama: Unwitty Resolve

Personal Note

I used to think all of this was some big fancy unobtainable computer-land stuff. It is not the case. I don't think I've ever been more certain or happy of a life decision. Something that holds my attention this long is notable. I like thinking, I hate boredom. I do not like being stagnant. The more I know, the less I know, rabbit holes amuck. I am more comfortable getting into some unpredicted adventure. No shortage of that here, is there.

Summary

Ended year much better than it started by being persistent af...
Built a PC
Received a Certificate
Built first solo full-stack web app
Made new friends and meaningful connections
Big fat understanding of CSS, Ruby, Github, and networking(the human kind, working on the computer kind, lol)