DEV Community

Cover image for 2024: Into Computers I Venture
Anna Villarreal
Anna Villarreal

Posted on

5 4 3 5 3

2024: Into Computers I Venture

This is a submission for the 2025 New Year Writing challenge: Retro’ing and Debugging 2024.


The year of the dragon, my year! Well, it didn't quite feel like it started off like that.

Rainbow Dragon


January 2024

I worked myself into the ground at a previous job. The air was toxic and I would get a migraine when they would cut the acrylic sheets with lasers. There were no windows for sunlight, and the culture was not a great fit for me. I took the job out of desperation (even though I was initially excited about it, because I got to use Illustrator and do some light design work for printing...) I also started to get severe bouts of vertigo. Anyways, I left in December 2023 for health reasons.

I started 2024 unemployed and unwell.

I had to put my pet cat "Carl" to rest during the first week of January. It was sudden and upsetting.

Carl

He had a much better life with me than he would have at a shelter. RIP Fuzzy Kittens.

January wasn't done with me however. A few weeks later, I ended up getting an emergency surgery to get a pointless and problematic organ removed: The gallbladder. I was in a sudden, all encompassing pain around my torso. I went to 3 different hospitals that day before one was equipped to deal with my particular issue. Fast forward a week, I can barley move.

Being stuck on the couch unable to move is not fun, especially for a busy body such as myself. This is actually where a lightbulb switches on. What can I do on the couch for a really long time that's interesting? CODING ON MY LAPTOP!

I had previously started to pick at some HTML/CSS/JavaScript courses online. I decided that if I was to be stuck at home, I best figure out how to maximize my time. So, I spent the next 30 days ripping through courses on Coursera. I even pulled out the whiteboard one time when I got super frustrated with JavaScript, trying to understand it. Physically, I couldn't move much. But in my head I was like this:

Pepe Silva

Accurate.


Late winter & Early Spring 2024

I was reading all about how to become a developer, how to land my first job, how to be relevant, ect. How can I get a job as a programmer at my ripe age of 36, spending most of my life in art and nutrition?

I got into everything.

I found an online group on meetup where I have made valuable friendships that will probably last a lifetime. I have honestly made more meaningful relationships because of this journey. I started posting here on DEV. I went full google ninja mode to find opportunities for newbies. After a few months of this high energy chaos I stumbled into my very first paid opportunity.


Spring 2024

In my rigorous search, I discovered a program nearby. Upon discovery around May, I realized I had maybe a month or two to fulfill all of the pre-requisite material to be considered for an interview for the program. Scrambling ensued. I did not want to sit around for another six months or a year for a chance at maybe finding something else.


Summer 2024

Upon completion of the pre-requisite material, I was offered an interview, and ultimately landed a spot in a fullstack web development apprenticeship! What?!

Shortly before the program started, I had been talking to my friend about wanting a nice computer this and that. I became convinced that I needed to build my own. Because, curious. I figured I would try to build my own PC before the program started because I would be too busy to do that then.

motherboard

You can view my full story on that here: First PC Build


Fall and Winter 2024

It was a long commute to the program, roughly 2.5 hours one way for 12 weeks. (Car, train, walk) But I knew this was too important and I made an agreement with myself that I could survive 12 weeks, because my potential future hung in the balance. Upon successful completion of the program in December, I received a software development foundations certificate from Discovery Partners Institute in Chicago, many new friends, and plans for the future. I experienced a full range of emotions in 2024. Definitely year of the dragon.

I have my first solo full-stack application in the works. We created a minimum viable product in the program, but I am determined to make it sparkly. It's a good feeling.

I also got some hard lessons about modifying my computer.

Asus power supply

If you want some entertainment, the full post is here: PSU Drama: Unwitty Resolve


Personal Note

I used to think all of this was some big fancy unobtainable computer-land stuff. It is not the case. I don't think I've ever been more certain or happy of a life decision. Something that holds my attention this long is notable. I like thinking, I hate boredom. I do not like being stagnant. The more I know, the less I know, rabbit holes amuck. I am more comfortable getting into some unpredicted adventure. No shortage of that here, is there.


Summary

  • Ended year much better than it started by being persistent af...
  • Built a PC
  • Received a Certificate
  • Built first solo full-stack web app
  • Made new friends and meaningful connections
  • Big fat understanding of CSS, Ruby, Github, and networking(the human kind, working on the computer kind, lol)

excitement

I am a busy body, and I am here to stay.

Do your career a big favor. Join DEV. (The website you're on right now)

It takes one minute, it's free, and is worth it for your career.

Get started

Community matters

Top comments (2)

Collapse
 
bibimbop123 profile image
Brian Kim • Edited

Anna! Your story is so inspiring. sorry about your cat :( I really enjoy reading your posts. You inspire me more than you know! Keep posting!

Collapse
 
annavi11arrea1 profile image
Anna Villarreal

Thanks Brian! I'm glad I can be helpful!

A Workflow Copilot. Tailored to You.

Pieces.app image

Our desktop app, with its intelligent copilot, streamlines coding by generating snippets, extracting code from screenshots, and accelerating problem-solving.

Read the docs

👋 Kindness is contagious

Immerse yourself in a wealth of knowledge with this piece, supported by the inclusive DEV Community—every developer, no matter where they are in their journey, is invited to contribute to our collective wisdom.

A simple “thank you” goes a long way—express your gratitude below in the comments!

Gathering insights enriches our journey on DEV and fortifies our community ties. Did you find this article valuable? Taking a moment to thank the author can have a significant impact.

Okay