My Journey So Far
The desire to learn has always been a double-edged sword for me. It sparks curiosity but also stokes anxiety. The phrase “jack of all trades” used to feel like a warning, nudging me to specialize, to master just a few things instead of chasing every interest. Now at 30, I’m grateful I didn’t let that fear steer me. I’ve wandered: from diplomacy abroad to co-founding a startup aimed at changing how digital teams communicate.
When I introduce myself, there’s always a "professional label" — full-stack developer. It’s shorthand, but also a cage. People hear that and imagine someone technical, code-focused, maybe not the best communicator. Maybe there’s truth in that, but it’s only part of the picture. Maybe this piece is my way of showing you the rest.
Choices I didn't make
It took me a while to start making my own choices. My bachelor’s degree in international relations wasn’t purely my call—it was shaped by family, friends, and the weight of societal expectations. Those five years weren’t all bad, though honestly, they could’ve been shorter. The real awakening came during an embassy internship. Sure, diplomatic events and covert operations sounded exciting, but 90% of the job was tedious—translating dull documents or standing in for officials who spent most of their time shopping while I sat through endless conferences. I didn’t study Comparative and International Political Economy for this kind of sidelining.
Being cut off from real decision-making sapped my motivation. I realized I didn’t want to wait decades to earn respect or influence. So, I pivoted.
Breaking the waves
After that, I moved to the international cooperation department at the largest seaport on the Caspian Sea, a role with real potential to grow and make an impact. With my manager often distracted by her wedding to the son of a high-ranking official, I ended up managing much of the work myself, which sped up my learning curve. My big break came when I organized the largest annual World Ports Conference in my hometown—an opportunity that let me travel the world and promote the port.
Those two years were incredible, working alongside people from all over the globe. But like all things, the shine eventually faded. When the event was done, the role lost its thrill, and I found myself once again looking for what’s next.
Asian adventures
A rough patch in my personal life pushed me to spend my parents' savings—meant for my master’s studies—on a healing trip to Thailand, hoping to find clarity and maybe job prospects abroad. It was my first real taste of Asia, and I loved it, but finding a job there didn’t pan out. Wrong destination, I guess.
Returning home, a new chance emerged: a full scholarship for a master’s degree at a top university in Tsinghua University, China. I grabbed it without hesitation. Studying there was manageable, so I pushed further—starting a business with classmates. Exploring the booming Chinese market and even sitting down with the Chinese Communist Party for collaboration talks was surreal. It was an incredible ride, but then Covid-19 hit, and the so-called “perfect conditions” unraveled fast, forcing me to rethink everything.
Unpredictability, Predictably
Back home, the unpredictable pause of the pandemic forced me into some tough questions: Do I really enjoy what I do? It wasn’t just about money—it was about how I earned it. The allure of Asia’s exotic promise and China’s booming economy had distracted me from what truly mattered. That break gave me space to reconnect—to stay true to myself, balance work and life, and focus on building something meaningful.
That’s when I made a defining choice. With zero background, I decided to pursue computer science. Programming. It felt risky—especially in my mid-20s, when most say it’s too late to switch gears. But I dove in, starting with CS50, the renowned intro course, and began learning coding from scratch.
Me, Laptop, and Coffee
A bit of savings plus the pocket money I earned from a small startup I co-founded with a university classmate in Beijing gave me the cushion to dive into programming full-time. I spent a year—or two—learning and building a portfolio as a freelancer. Along the way, I embraced the digital nomad life, living in affordable yet vibrant cities like Belgrade and Istanbul. Those years were full of fun, growth, and reconnecting deeply with my classmate.
But after a few years of freelancing, I noticed something missing: people. The energy of working in teams, collaborating, and making a real impact together—that was what I craved. That missing piece pushed me toward my next chapter.
Connecting to build better
Which brings me to today. I joined a startup right as I turned 30. It felt risky—because, honestly, nothing worthwhile is risk-free. In my first year, I rode the startup rollercoaster: months without pay, then getting into a world-class accelerator; gaining one paid user a month, then hitting $40K in sales over two months; attracting investment from industry leaders, only to face wave after wave of rejection.
And here’s the best part—this adrenaline rush is still alive as I write. The journey is tough, no question, but burnout hasn’t caught me yet (fingers crossed). I’ve learned that it’s often the unknowns, the unpredictable turns, that keep us moving and truly feeling alive.
not THE END
So here I am, sharing this slice of my journey. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m just offering a glimpse of where it’s brought me. No grand advice—just a bit of curiosity and the ups and downs that came along for the ride. Until next time, ciao!