How Breaking Into Tech At 40 Changed My Life

My personal journey in technology

Breaking into tech at 40 can seem like a daunting challenge, especially when you’re leaving a stable, well-paying job. For me, however, it’s been a journey that has redefined my life, my career, and my understanding of what it means to follow a passion.

Cyber ​​Cafe Days
It all started in a most unlikely place: Internet cafes. Back then, they were places of curiosity and learning for many of us. I would spend hours and hours in these cramped, dimly lit rooms, where the clacking of keyboards and the buzzing of outdated computers created a strangely motivating atmosphere. My friends would often ask me what I was doing, and my answer was always the same: I was feeding my curiosity about technology.

I was intrigued by technology, its immense potential, and how it was rapidly changing the world. I scoured the internet for tutorials, articles, and any resources I could find about coding, software development, and computer science in general. The more I learned, the more my passion grew, as did my desire to transition into the tech industry. But it wasn’t an easy path.

The Four-Year Struggle
In 2016, I realized that I needed to live a more meaningful life and the only solution for me was to break into the technology field.
For over four years, I juggled my full-time job with late-night study sessions. I spent my days at the office and my nights learning to code, understanding computer science fundamentals, and learning about the latest tech trends. It was exhausting, but the idea of ​​one day working in tech kept me going.

Despite the long hours and steep learning curve, I never lost sight of my goal. There were times when I felt overwhelmed, especially when I was struggling to grasp complex concepts. Yet, every small victory, like debugging a stubborn piece of code or creating a simple web page, strengthened my resolve.

As time went on, the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. I began to see that my years of dedication and countless hours spent in Internet cafes were paying off. But I still had one big decision to make, one that would challenge everything I knew about security and success.

Leave everything behind
At the time, I had a stable, well-paying job. It was the kind of position most people dream of, offering financial security. But I knew that if I really wanted to make a move in tech, I had to give it my all. So, after much thought, I did the unthinkable: I quit.

When I announced my decision, the reactions were mixed. My friends, colleagues, and even my family were shocked. They didn’t understand why I was leaving such a lucrative job to pursue a career in a field where I had no formal experience. I was called reckless and some even suggested that I was going through a midlife crisis. To be honest, there were times when I doubted myself too. But deep down, I knew this was what I wanted.

The gain
I didn’t immediately break into the tech world. The first few months were tough, filled with uncertainty and the challenge of proving myself in a sector often considered reserved for young people. But little by little, opportunities started to present themselves to me. I landed my first part-time job as a code reviewer at Microverse, the coding bootcamp where I learned to code, before eventually landing a full-time position at a tech startup as a full-stack developer and now co-founding tech startups.

This transition wasn’t just about changing careers, it was about rediscovering myself. Technology allowed me to be creative, solve problems, and work in a constantly changing environment. Every day brought new challenges, but also new opportunities for learning and growth. And for the first time in years, I felt truly fulfilled.

Reflections
Looking back, getting into tech at 40 was one of the most important decisions I’ve ever made. It taught me that it’s never too late to pursue your passion, that age is just a number when it comes to learning, and that sometimes you have to take risks to achieve the life you want.

Yes, it was scary to leave a stable job and leap into the unknown. But the rewards, both personal and professional, were worth every moment of uncertainty. Today, I’m not just a tech professional; I’m someone who followed his passion, defied the odds, and proved that it’s never too late to start over.

To anyone considering taking the plunge, remember this: your dreams are valid, no matter your age or starting point. And sometimes the craziest decisions turn out to be the best ones.

If I can, you can too.