Since no one knows what your acronyms mean — I felt lost. Thrown into a team with no guidance, I spent my time deciphering acronyms and bopping from meeting to meeting. What are we actually building? What am I doing here? Joining a new team is scary, and the onboarding process can make or break your new employees. After…

What I wish I knew before graduation — While earning my computer science degree, I thought the only career path was software developer. After all, I was trained to be a software developer — how could I become anything else? No one mentioned the existence of other options. I was tied to one destiny. The more I talk…

A reflection on new experiences in 2021 — In 2021, I decided to write a story each year, documenting the new things I tried. My “New Adventures Series” motivated me to keep writing every single month, until I dropped off in October. …

You are more than your technical skills — One failed interview after another, I felt ashamed. Would I ever become a software developer? What was the point of my computer science degree? When interviewing for entry-level software engineering positions, my programming skills were mostly theoretical. …

Lessons from my older selves — “Where you are now is exactly where you’re supposed to be,” said my older self, approximately 90-years-old. She sat next to me and fiddled with her cane. Her long, gray hair was braided back into one thick tie. Her eyes shown with joy and remembrance, grasping at my hands held…

A reflection on new experiences in September — 2021 is my year of new things. I’m challenging myself to embark on new experiences, even when I don’t want to. With that being said, I had a moment this month to do a new thing that scared me, and don’t laugh — this new thing was holding a chicken…

Even if I earned it, am I still an impostor? — When I started in the tech industry, I thought the senior developer role meant you were old. But, I’ve learned that seniority is not solely reserved for those with dozens of years of experience. I was recently promoted to senior developer. I’m 24. Though I’ve coded since the age of…

#2 — When people laugh so hard, no sound comes out — Life is fragile, beautiful, and breathtaking. Little things happen every day that we take for granted — intricacies of human interactions and habits. People do the unimaginable, think about impossible possibilities, and make every day a little interesting. While humans are all unique, there are some things humans do that…

You’re stuck in perpetual motion. — I’ve read all the self-improvement books, from “Untamed” to “Year of Yes” to “Indistractable.” I love the optimism, encouragement, and tangible tips. But, I haven’t actually taken these tips to heart. I read, highlight on my Kindle, and think “wow, I should do that!” But, do I do it? No. …