The Beginning of a New Journey

Eighteen months ago, I made a decision that would change my life. By that time, I had a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Yet, I spent nearly a decade trying to find my way in the nonprofit sector. I never quite found it. Despite this struggle, my passion did not waver. I wanted to improve lives, especially those living on the socioeconomic margins of society.

Somewhere along the way, I had an epiphany. I realized my passion for social justice didn’t have to be my primary income. This led to a new journey. One that required learning new skills. It was a real introspective moment when I chose to dive into software engineering, starting from scratch. At the age of forty.

Embracing Multiple Skills

This journey is awakening old skills, some dormant since high school. It’s creating new ones too. I’ve always done relatively well in math, but until 18 months ago, I hadn’t written a line of code. Today, I am proud to be an advanced beginner programmer. By the time you read this, I’ll be even more advanced. Last school year, I wrote programs in Visual Basic, Java, and Python. Each language adds to my understanding, each bringing me closer to becoming a software engineer.

The Decision to Pursue Further Education

Some people teach themselves programming. I learn best with structure. Self-study and structured learning environments, lectures, and Q&A sessions work for me. This is why I made a strategic move—to set myself up for the best future. To become a software engineer, I plan to earn a Master’s degree. But in undergrad, I studied sociology, not computer science. Therefore, I needed more confidence before attempting a Master’s level curriculum.

Last year, I returned to school in a new field. Now, I’m a full-time student, majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science at Rockland Community College. The decision to enroll at a community college, despite earning a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college, was strategic. To provide a solid foundation, I need more than a 3-month bootcamp. I need confidence in my skills. Only then am I comfortable to charge for my expertise.

Developing Web Dev Skills

Alongside my studies, I am also developing my web dev skills. In CSP149, I created and developed websites, becoming proficient in HTML and CSS. While HTML and CSS may not be considered programming languages, there’s no doubt that programming skills help build great websites. After all, websites and web apps are more than just HTML and CSS.

Moreover, generative AI (genAI) has significantly enhanced my web design skills. It has accelerated my learning process, enabling me to create, build, and maintain professional-level websites more efficiently. This advancement allows me to offer web development services at a more competitive rate than other developers.

Looking Forward

As I continue, I am excited. The possibilities ahead are vast. My passion for improving lives has never been greater. Now, with new skills, I can make a bigger impact. The transition from Sociology to Software Engineering is tough, but it’s rewarding. I’m eager to see where this path leads.

I hope this inspires others. Considering a career change? Learning new skills? It’s never too late to start. As cliché as it sounds, dedication and perseverance really can make anything possible (so long as you have support as well)! If you’re on a similar journey, share your story. I’d love to hear it. Feel free to comment below!

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