From Hearing the Word "Coding" in 8th Grade to Pursuing Ethical Hacking: My Journey into CSE

When people hear that I'm studying Computer Science and Engineering, they often say"Engineering is such a common path." But to me, it's not just a generic degree—it's the realization of a dream I've been holding onto since the 8th grade.

Here is the honest story of how a curious kid sitting at home during the pandemic found her true calling in cybersecurity.

Up until 8th grade, my life was completely ordinary—schooling, playing, doing homework, and taking exams. Then COVID-19 hit, and like everyone else, I was sitting idle at home.

During that time, advertisements for WhiteHat Jr. were everywhere. Out of sheer curiosity, I registered. One afternoon, I logged into a Zoom demo class with an instructor, and for the very first time in my life, I heard the word "coding."

To be completely honest, almost everything the instructor explained went straight over my head! But even though I didn't understand the lesson, that single word—coding—stuck in my mind like an itch I had to scratch. I started searching for it on the internet, reading articles, and trying to understand what it really meant.

Slowly, days passed; I finished 10th grade and officially said goodbye to basic schooling. When I entered 11th grade, we had to choose our elective subjects. Without giving it a second thought, I immediately chose Computer Science (CS) as my extra subject, ignoring standard options like Physical Education.

That was my official entry into the world of computer science. I started learning Python, understanding programming logic, and building small scripts.

As I completed 12th grade and kept exploring tech, I found my clear purpose in life: to become an Ethical Hacker in Cybersecurity and eventually contribute to organizations like NTRO (National Technical Research Organisation).

A standard 9-to-6 corporate job was never what drove me. I wanted to work on real-world security challenges, protect critical infrastructure, and build tools that make a difference.

So when people tell me engineering is just a common career choice, I tell them that this has been my dream since 8th grade, and I refuse to give up on it. Whether every single plan works out perfectly or not, as long as I am giving 100% to what I love, I know that at the end of the day, I won't have any regrets.

Did you always know you wanted to build software or work in tech, or was there a random moment that sparked your interest? I'd love to hear your story in the comments below!