I did not have a perfect plan when I moved into software engineering. I had just completed an MA in Literature with distinction, and a promising career path was already taking shape.
A friend who knew me well encouraged me to try coding. I took a few classes, became curious and soon found myself completely absorbed by the process of building.
The uncertain leap
I went back to my parents' home without knowing whether the decision would work. For the next few months, my routine was simple: sleep, eat, code and repeat.
Their support gave me the space to keep learning. It was not glamorous, but it was one of the most important seasons of my life.
“I did not know whether it would work. I only knew I wanted to give it everything I had.”
What kept me going
There was something surreal about watching messy lines of code become a useful, beautiful interface.
Looking back, I would make the same decision again. Sometimes a new beginning starts with curiosity, discipline and the courage to keep going.