From Phones to Full-Stack: A Tech Odyssey
Hey everyone, Ruslan here! Today, I want to share my unconventional career journey, a path that's taken me from childhood fascination with history and astronomy to the world of web development. Buckle up, it's been a wild ride! Early Explorations: As a kid, I was drawn to history and the vastness of space. However, the world of technology started calling my name around 8th grade. I dabbled in content uploading and website creation, but these early attempts ended with valuable lessons in the complexities of online business models. Building Relationships and Earning My Stripes: By the time I entered university, my focus shifted towards finance and banking. This decision was primarily driven by a desire for a more flexible schedule that would allow me to dive headfirst into the working world. My first job as a salesperson at Vodafone Ukraine wasn't just about selling sim cards – it became a crash course in relationship building, a skill I still hold dear today. The Rise and Fall of My Phone Business: A broken phone sparked an entrepreneurial spirit in me. In 2015, I embarked on a venture buying and repairing phones for resale. While initially successful, this journey presented challenges like market saturation and ultimately, the war in Ukraine tragically brought it to an end. A New Chapter: Customer Support Specialist at Namecheap: The war forced a major pivot. I landed a customer support specialist role at Namecheap. This experience not only provided valuable income but also immersed me in the fascinating world of hosting technologies. The knowledge gained during my time at Namecheap became the foundation upon which I built my web development skills. The Self-Taught Web Dev: While working at Namecheap, I dedicated my free time to mastering web development. JavaScript, Python, React.js – I devoured everything I could find. My personal projects, GitHub repositories, and even a blog dedicated to Next.js 14 news showcased my dedication and growing skillset. The Takeaways: My journey highlights the importance of embracing new opportunities, continuously learning, and building strong relationships. Don't be afraid to take risks, learn from failures, and pivot when necessary. The path may not always be linear, but with passion and perseverance, you can forge your own unique success story in the ever-evolving world of technology. What do you think? This blog post is just the beginning. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my journey and any advice you might have for a developer on the rise. Feel free to comment below or connect with me on my social media pages!