Technology isn't coding only; it's creating value.

#careerdevelopment #startup #beginners #learning

COVID-19 hit the world and had me traverse a new path as I planned to go back to studying, I decided to engage in tech events, which led me to volunteer for a startup community.

I did not know back then that such a small decision would change the course of my life completely. The minute I stepped into the room where bright minds pitched daring ideas, I was sucked into the idea of how technology could transform problems into innovative solutions.

I began by attending a few hours of volunteering. It proved to be the best way for me to soak up the culture found in startups. It involved me being an usher, being a documenter, creating a write-up for a sub-event, being a secretariat, and also logistics while soaking in the collaborative energy of the community.

One mentor's words resonated with me:

technology isn't coding only; it's creating value.

That definition changed my way of thinking and gave me the motivation to learn how to employ information technology to solve real-world problems. It has also provided me with a network of mentors and peers who inspired me to think bigger.

My student journey has not been easy. Late nights would be spent debugging code and studying for exams, balancing everything—school, volunteering, and learning new skills. However, all these brought me stepping stones. One of them was a very memorable project—a docket management system with the aid of blockchain which showed how powerful technology can be when it has such a purposeful pairing.

Now, I’m glad to be part of the first technology business incubator in Davao del Norte. Every day I transform my passion into actionable skills, learning about customer segmentation, branding, and integrating emerging technologies. It’s incredibly rewarding to provide knowledge and services that help turn visions into ventures.

Looking back, it all began with a decision to volunteer. For students wondering how to step into the tech world, my advice is simple: take that first step. Attend an event, join a hackathon, or lend a hand. You’ll discover that the journey is just as rewarding as the destination—and the impact you make can be lasting.

So as a dev, while coding is a critical skill within technology, its true power lies in how it creates value—by solving problems, improving lives, and driving innovation.