Hey everyone! I'm here to share a bit about my current journey—one that's taking me from the physical world of Master Electrician work and small business ownership into the digital realm of software development. It's a huge, exciting, and sometimes terrifying shift, and I know I'm not the only one making a big career change.
Licensed to Wire: The Foundation of Logic
For years, my world revolved around circuit diagrams, voltage testers, and the precise logic of electrical systems. As a Master Electrician with multiple licenses and a contracting business owner, my days were defined by planning installations, ensuring safety, and troubleshooting complex systems. The work required meticulous precision and a deep understanding of how components interact.
Recently, I felt a pull toward something new—the systems that run the digital world. I realized the core skills I use every day were transferable, and I decided to make the leap into software development.
Building a New Toolset: Learning in Public
Making a career switch this big means going back to the fundamentals. I'm currently diving into two powerful languages: C++ and Python. C++ is my choice for building robust, high-performance tools, while Python is my versatile go-to for rapid scripting and utility.
My entire workspace is built on an open platform: I run exclusively on Linux—specifically Debian. I appreciate the stability and control it offers, making it the perfect environment for a builder like me. My approach is simple: learn by building practical applications that solve real problems.
Project Deep Dive: Real-World Solutions
I'm focused on creating tools that provide real utility, like my gambling tax calculator written in C++. I decided to build this tool to handle the complexities of tracking winnings and losses in different jurisdictions. The challenge lies in designing a system that can be easily updated to reflect changing tax laws—it's about creating flexible logic, much like designing an electrical system that can handle future expansions.
You can check out the source code and how it's progressing here: Gambling Tax Calculator GitHub Repo.
Sharing Knowledge: Developer Cheat Sheets
As I learn, I'm also creating resources that help me solidify my knowledge and, hopefully, help others in the community. I'm building a repository of developer cheat sheets for the terminal tools I use constantly, specifically tmux and vim.
- Vim is my editor of choice (if you know, you know!) and mastering its efficiency is a key focus.
- tmux helps me keep my terminal sessions and workflows organized.
Creating documentation like this is an easy way to contribute to the community without writing complex code. Feel free to check out and contribute to the cheat sheets here: tmux Cheat Sheet and vim Cheat Sheet.
The Transferable Skill: Troubleshooting
What does a Master Electrician bring to coding? The answer is systematic troubleshooting.
The core of electrical work is systematic problem-solving:
- Isolate the issue: Is the problem upstream (the breaker) or downstream (the load)?
- Form a hypothesis: A loss of power suggests a loose connection.
- Test the hypothesis: Check for voltage at the first junction point.
This process translates almost perfectly to debugging code:
- Isolate the issue: Is the bug in the data input, the logic, or the output?
- Form a hypothesis: An unexpected value suggests a variable scope error.
- Test the hypothesis: Use a debugger to set a breakpoint and inspect the variable state.
In both careers, you're dealing with a hidden system where one small error can cause a catastrophic failure. Both require a meticulous, logical approach—you can't just guess your way to a solution.
The Self-Taught Path and My Big Challenge
My learning approach is strictly self-taught. I don't have a Computer Science degree, which brings both massive freedom and significant challenges.
The biggest challenge is tackling complex programming concepts independently. Ideas like memory management and design patterns can feel abstract when you're trying to figure them out alone. It's a constant battle between practical application and theoretical depth.
But my philosophy remains: build real solutions to real problems. That tangible sense of accomplishment is what keeps the motivation high, and I believe my practical background offers a unique and valuable perspective in this new field.
Looking Ahead: My Next Wires to Connect
My transition from Master Electrician to software developer is built on a decade of experience in systems architecture, problem-solving under pressure, and reliable project execution. As I continue to expand my skills in C++ and Python, I look forward to applying this rigorous, real-world discipline to future software development opportunities. I believe the ability to quickly diagnose and resolve complex system issues, a trait honed in the trades, will be an invaluable asset in any development team.
Join the Conversation
This transition is an intense solo effort, and connecting with the wider developer community is essential for growth.
If you're a developer, especially one who works in C++ or Python, I'd love to hear from you.
If you're a career changer who's made a jump from a trade, service industry, or any other non-traditional background—how did you bridge the knowledge gap? What was your "a-ha!" moment?
Drop a comment below! I'm eager to connect, exchange advice, and share war stories from the trenches, whether they involve 220 volts or a nasty core dump.
Call-to-Action:
- Have you made a career change into development? Share your "before" and "after" story in the comments!
- Got any essential VIM or TMUX tips for a new developer? I use vim, so drop your best .vimrc or .tmux.conf snippets!
- What open source project do you think every newcomer should check out?
Let's learn together! 🤝
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