TL;DR
As an international student in the United States, I joined tech communities hoping to find internships, mentors, resources, and opportuniti...
For further actions, you may consider blocking this person and/or reporting abuse
Being on DEV shaped me actually.
Before this, I had a portfolio, GitHub, LinkedIn, you name it. Just the bare bones in my opinion since that is what everyone is doing around me. However, although I put in my effort, it slowly went to waste. What I mean by this is "you can build a very good project, but no one will know about it".
DEV was on my mind since 2020, but didn't join to begin with since blogging wasn't my thing. Now, every time I write, it felt rewarding to the point where I continue doing it. It was a journey I did not anticipated.
Good work! :D
p.s I sent the Sloan Message since it was kind of hard to read due to many chunks feeling like bulletin points instead of sentences. I suggest adding images/formatting to make it readable. Content wise, it is good!!!
Thanks, Francis!
Really appreciate the feedback. Sorry about the formatting 😅. I went back and reworked it a bit so it flows better now.
And I can definitely relate to what you said about putting your work out there. That's something I'm still learning too.
Glad DEV has been such a rewarding experience for you as well 😄
Online hackathons.
For the first time, I collaborated with another person, whom I don't know at all.
It was the first time, I was discussing with another person about the project.
Working on a real project with seriousness.
It completely changed the way I think, the way I approach a project, an idea.
From that day to this day, I met a lot of good people!
Some became good friends. Some became good teammates.
Some became more than that!
That's awesome 😃
I think collaboration is something you don't fully appreciate until you experience it. Working with someone you've never met before and building something together teaches you so much beyond just the technical side.
And I completely agree, some of the best people we meet come from those unexpected experiences 😄
This is a beautiful, deeply grounding piece. In an industry that constantly pressures us to optimize for the next transactional milestone—the next framework, the next role, the next optimization—it’s incredibly easy to lose sight of the fact that human connection is the only thing that actually sustains a long-term career.
As someone who took a very non-linear "long way around" into tech. I spent time in culinary school and working as a professional chef before pivoting into technical leadership and software architecture. I’ve learned this truth the hard way. The straightest line to an opportunity rarely yields the most fulfilling destination. The moments that mattered, the pivots that worked, and the resilience required to stay in this game all came down to the authentic communities and peers I built along the way, not the badges on a resume.
Your post reminded me so much of a reflective piece I recently shared on my own non-traditional journey, called The Long Way Around, where I wrestled with the exact themes of career pacing, perspective, and finding value beyond standard tech metrics.
Thank you for writing this. It’s a vital reminder for early-career developers and senior leaders alike that our value isn't defined by our output, but by the community we foster.
Thank you, Ken. I really appreciate that.
I think that's exactly what I've been realizing lately. So much advice in tech focuses on the next milestone, but when I look back, it's the people and communities that made the biggest difference in my journey.
And honestly, I love hearing stories like yours. Going from culinary school and being a professional chef to software architecture is such a unique path, and I think it's a great reminder that there isn't one "correct" way into tech.
I'll definitely check out The Long Way Around. Thanks for sharing your perspective and for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment.
This really resonated with me. As someone trying to transition into tech later in life while working a full-time manufacturing job, I've spent a lot of time focusing on skills, certifications, projects, and job applications. It's easy to think the next opportunity is the most important thing.
What I've found, though, is very similar to what you described. The biggest impact often comes from the people you meet along the way. Whether it's someone sharing advice, giving feedback on a project, or simply taking the time to encourage you when you're doubting yourself, those interactions can make a huge difference.
I also liked your point that community isn't just about getting opportunities, it's about helping others discover them too. That's something I've started to appreciate through communities like DEV, where people openly share knowledge and support each other's growth.
Thanks for sharing your story. It's a good reminder that while technologies, frameworks, and job markets change constantly, the relationships we build can have a much longer-lasting impact.
Thanks, Josh 😀
Your journey is inspiring. Trying to break into tech while working full-time can't be easy, so major respect for that.
I also relate to what you said. We spend so much time focusing on skills, projects, and applications that it's easy to forget how much encouragement and support from other people can matter.
Glad we're both part of a community that makes that possible. Wishing you all the best on your journey!
What community has shaped your journey?
Was it a meetup, an online forum, an open-source project, a nonprofit, a Discord server, or something else entirely?
I'd love to hear about the people and places that helped you find your place in tech.
Thank you for sharing this. Glad we're a part of the same DEV community. DEV has been such a welcoming place to share and learn.
Thank you 😃
I feel the same way. DEV has been one of the most welcoming communities I've been part of, and I'm glad to be here alongside all of you.
Yeah its like everyone gets you here right
Yeah, exactly 😄
I think that's what I value most about communities. No matter where someone is in their journey, there's usually somebody who understands what you're going through or has been there before.