It all started back in my home country, Brazil, when my dad and I visited his friend's place. I was only 9 years old, and while the grown-ups sipped on their drinks and enjoyed some TV time, I found myself captivated by his friend's computer and its cool games. I was hooked! Naturally, I begged my dad to buy me a computer of my own. But they were crazy expensive then. Luckily, my dad was an electronic wizard and loved building stuff. So, him and I took matters into our own hands and built my very first CPU from scratch. Now, we didn't have a fancy monitor, but that didn't stop us. My dad ingeniously connected the CPU to our trusty old CRT TV, and voila! I had my very own computer setup. It wasn't perfect, mind you. I'd often get the "blue screen of death", and my poor dad had to format the computer countless times. Eventually he taught me how to do it myself so I could leave him alone. But my favorite was getting hypnotized by the defragmentation process (Trippy for a 9 year old.) But you know what? That's when I started peeking into my game folders, tweaking settings, trying opening files I shouldn't, and getting a glimpse of what seemed like code lines. This would often result in me making the face you see on the cover of this article. Little did I know, I was getting my first taste of programming. Fast forward a few years, a second language, and a lot of failures later, I found myself studying Computer Science in the U.S and working as a software developer at IBM. It's funny how those early experiences can shape your future, right?
What about you? Was it your first electronic gadget? that cool toy? or maybe a group activity with your friends when you were younger. Perhaps you're one of those who just tried a little bit of everything. I've heard stories of people never forgetting an advice a stranger told them. Whatever it was, if you do some digging, you will find that strong emotion that will help you steer you towards the path you should take. And don't feel bad if you feel like something strange, and perhaps unexpected, like an adversity you experienced, makes you feel strongly about a career path. A lot of people are fueled by their adversities and go on to become great leaders and industry disrupters. Names like Richard Branson, who suffered from dyslexia and learning impairment but went on to become a business magnate, and Oprah Winfrey, who endured many childhood traumas but later became one of the most influential and successful women in the world, are just a few in a long list of entrepreneurs. Find that emotion that will fuel your everyday, no matter where it comes from, and discover that all you need has been inside you all along.
Wish you all the best in your journey. 🚀 🛣️ 🌞