My Journey So Far
The desire to learn new things has often been a double-edged sword for me. While it fuels my curiosity, it also triggers anxiety. The phrase "jack of all trades" used to scare me, pushing me to specialize and master only a few things instead of following where my curiosity led. Now that I'm 30, I'm glad I didn't let that fear dictate my choices. Instead, I've explored many different fields—from working in diplomacy in a foreign country to co-founding a startup aimed at transforming how digital teams communicate.
I still have a "professional label" to introduce myself with when meeting new people, but I've come to see it as more of a limitation than a strength. Full-stack developer — when people hear that, they often imagine someone highly technical (I wish), focused on coding, and maybe not the best at communicating. Maybe they're right in part, but that's not the full story. Perhaps the reason I'm writing this is to give you a better idea of who I am?
Choices I didn't make
I'll admit, it took me a while to make my own decisions in life. Choosing my bachelor's degree wasn't entirely my decision—it was shaped by the influences around me (family, friends, societal expectations, etc.). Five years of studying international relations wasn't the worst experience (though, truth be told, it could have been shorter). But my internship at the embassy was a reality check. While diplomatic events and covert operations were intriguing, 90% of the work was mundane—translating boring documents or acting as a translator for government officials who spent most of their time shopping for their wives, while I was stuck at conferences in their place. I didn't study Comparative and International Political Economy for this. Being cut off from the decision-making processes drained my motivation for a career in diplomacy. I realized I didn't want to wait decades to be taken seriously, so I pivoted.
Breaking the waves
Next, I joined the international cooperation department at the largest seaport on the Caspian Sea, a position with potential for growth and influence. With my manager distracted by her wedding to the son of a high-ranking official, I was left to handle much on my own, which accelerated my growth. My big break came when I organized the largest annual World Ports Conference in my hometown, giving me the chance to travel the world and promote the port. The two years I spent there were fantastic, working with people from across the globe. But, as with everything, the shiny days came to an end. Once the event was over, the role lost its excitement, and once again, I started seeking new opportunities.
Asian adventures
A rough patch in my personal life led me to spend my parents' savings (for my masters studies) on a healing trip to Thailand, hoping to find some clarity and potential job opportunities abroad. I had my first taste of Asia and loved it, but I wasn't successful in finding a job. Wrong destination, I suppose. However, upon returning to my hometown, a new opportunity presented itself: a full scholarship for a master's degree at a top-tier university in China. I didn't hesitate to seize the opportunity. Studying at Tsinghua University was relatively easy, so I decided to do something more: start a business with my classmates. It was exciting to explore the booming Chinese market and even have meetings with the Chinese Communist Party to discuss potential collaborations. It was an incredible experience, but as is often the case, things didn't go as planned. When Covid-19 hit, it forced me to rethink everything. The so-called "perfect conditions" quickly unraveled.
Unpredictability, Predictably
I returned home and, over the course of a few months, found myself asking some existential questions: Do I really enjoy what I do? It wasn't just about how much money I made, but how I made it. The "exotic" allure of Asia and the promise of economic prosperity in China had distracted me from this important question. The unpredictable pandemic break gave me the space to reconnect with what really mattered: staying true to myself, maintaining a work-life balance, and building something meaningful. That's when I made a decision that would reshape my career. Despite having no expertise in the field, I decided to pursue computer science. Yes, programming. It felt like a huge risk, especially since I was already in my mid-20s—a time when most people would consider it too late to switch careers. But I jumped in, starting with CS50 (the famous introductory course), and began learning programming from scratch.
Me, Laptop, and Coffee
A few savings and the pocket money I earned from a small startup I co-founded with a university classmate in Beijing gave me the cushion I needed to dive into programming full-time. I spent a year (or two) learning and building a portfolio as a freelancer. During that time, I also embraced the digital nomad lifestyle, spending time in affordable yet vibrant cities like Belgrade and Istanbul. These years were filled with fun, learning, and and reconnecting with my university classmate, deepening our friendship along the way. But after a few years of freelancing, I realized something was missing—people. Working in teams, collaborating, and making a tangible impact together. That was the missing piece, and it eventually led me to my next journey.
Connecting to build better
Which brings me to today. I joined a startup just as I turned 30, and while it felt like a risky move, I've come to realize that nothing is truly without risk. Within the first year, I experienced the highs and lows of startup life—from not getting paid for months to being selected for a world-class accelerator, from getting one paid user per month to making $40K in sales in just two months, from being invested in by industry leaders to facing endless rejections. And the best part? This adrenaline rush is still going strong as I write this. The journey is far from easy, but I haven't burnt out yet (fingers crossed!). I've learned that sometimes it's the unknowns, the unpredictable twists, that keep us alive and moving forward.
not THE END
So, here I am, sharing this part of my journey. It's been a wild ride, and I'm just here to show you a glimpse of where it's taken me. No grand advice, just a bit of curiosity and the ups and downs that came with it. Until next time, ciao!