Have coded for almost a year but I never dare to imagine that one day I will have an opportunity to work like a software engineer, I thought I could only start as sort of web developer. Today it’s for real that I got an offer for a software engineering internship in which I will be put into a team to work with engineers and work like a software engineer. I enjoyed every moment interviewing with the company and learnt so much. The challenges given were very interesting and the people, I have to say I will enjoy working and learning from each of them. Having said that, reality hits me so hard, my visa for U.S will expire soon and I won’t be able to complete the internship. It is a hard feeling to deal with this. Never ever I am this jealous with people who have right to stay in the U.S and people who have opportunities to be exposed to technology and programming at early age. I think those people should really appreciate what they have got because someone like me is craving for them. I love solving problems, most importantly, I am always curious about technology and I am amazed by how it impacts our lives. I believe technology opens to endless possibilities.
I know that I love programming and I also know it takes time to be good at it given that I have a pressure to be employed for a living so I have tried so hard and have got so many rejections. I almost gave up so many times but I ended up not, probably because I just love it so much. I feel peaceful every time I code and I know myself that I am good at it, it’s just not easy to convince people with my non-traditional background. These are all reactions I have got “I didn’t quite understand your career path”, “unfortunately we decided to not move forward with you at this time”, “we don’t hire junior engineer”, “seems like you don’t pass screening” and of course they are hard to take as well. They hurt my ego badly but I just take it as I am not good enough and that I have to try more. Every time I was down, I really appreciate all encouragement from people who have experienced hardship like me, they told me “Hong, don’t give up, you are good at that, you are almost at the finish line”. I hate all kinds of stereotypes about having business background or being a female who code. Through my experience, I confirm that it does not matter where you come from or who you are, it matters the most what you can do, if you are good, don’t listen to anyone else, they are just not experiencing what you are experiencing to understand. Whatever you do, just keep moving forward.
I have tried so hard and have got so far but walking away from this amazing opportunity, I promise whatever I take next I will have to make it worth!
Never ever forget the first date I had to learn Git and all moments I have enjoyed coding and debugging. Thanks Lambda school for introducing me to this fascinating world, thanks my friends for being with me when I was demotivated, thanks a special person who pushed me to get so far in coding and thanks my family for sponsoring me during that studying time. I am so grateful to you.
#programming #passion #opportunities
