The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work - Harry Golden\
As the new year begins, I find myself reflecting on my career journey and the experiences that have contributed to my growth and success in the tech field—despite not holding a formal degree. I hope this story helps anyone who is deciding between the traditional path or a less conventional route like mine.
Before landing my first real job in 2017, I spent six years coding almost every day. Was I any good at it? Not at all—I was terrible, and I had plenty of bad code to prove it. But I loved it. Not enough to endure boring lectures, though, which is why, in 2013, about a year into my computer science degree, I dropped out.
In the years that followed, I explored a myriad of paths that, at the time, seemed unrelated to my long-term goals. However, when I finally got the chance to pursue what I truly loved, those side quests turned out to be invaluable. It wasn’t my ability to write stellar code that got me hired—it was the diverse skills I had picked up along the way.
Once I started, I had the privilege of working alongside mentors who were giants in the field. These seasoned engineers, each with unique expertise, set a high bar that pushed me to improve rapidly. I felt an internal pressure to level up and ensure I wasn’t the weak link on the team. That drive led me to devour books, complete short courses, and build countless side projects in my free time. The first year was gruelling, but by the second year, I found myself mentoring interns and new hires.
When I left that job in 2020, I had built a solid skill set that opened doors to freelancing and contracting. By then, I was burned out from the intense pace and wanted more control over my time. Freelancing gave me the freedom to choose clients and projects that resonated with me.
When the pandemic hit, the rush to go online presented new opportunities. Few clients cared about my lack of a degree, especially since I had become well-known in the local tech community through conference appearances, blog posts, and social media. Many of my first clients during that period remain loyal to this day.
Word of mouth worked its magic. Before long, I had registered a business, hired additional talent, and worked with clients in about 20 countries. My focus shifted from coding to administration and project management—until a full-time contract with a Canadian company drew me back into engineering.
As of November 2024, I took on another role that has me leading an enthusiastic group of young developers, some of whom took the traditional path.
Though the path I chose wasn’t traditional, each experience, no matter how unrelated it seemed at the time, contributed to my journey. I hope this reflection serves as a reminder that success doesn’t have to come from following the beaten path—it can be forged through curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to learn from every twist and turn along the way.