I didn't grow up writing code or dreaming about a career in tech. In fact, I come from a commerce background — business studies, accountancy, and zero formal training in computer science. But here I am today, writing code, building websites, and shaping a new identity as a web developer.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how I transitioned from commerce to tech, what tools and resources I used, and how I’m growing in the world of front-end development — all without a CS degree.
💻 Why I Chose Tech Over Commerce
Though I studied commerce, I always found myself curious about technology. I was fascinated by websites and apps, and one day I finally asked myself — what if I could build these myself?
That question sparked my shift. I didn’t enroll in any bootcamp or formal degree. Instead, I decided to learn independently and started from the basics.
🚀 My Learning Path (Self-Taught Roadmap)
Here's how I broke into web development:
🔹 HTML & CSS — The Starting Line
I began by learning HTML and CSS through YouTube and free online resources. I built static web pages and personal projects, experimenting with layout and design.
<!-- My first HTML snippet -->
<section>
<h1>Hello World!</h1>
<p>This is my first step into web development.</p>
</section>
🔹 Version Control with GitHub
Learning Git and GitHub was a game changer. I started hosting my portfolio, learning about commits, branches, and contributing to projects.
git init
git add .
git commit -m "First portfolio push"
git remote add origin <repo-url>
git push -u origin main
🔹 Next Up: JavaScript
Once I was comfortable with HTML/CSS, I moved to JavaScript to make things interactive. While I’m still learning JS, I’ve built small projects like a to-do list and simple form validation.
**🛠 Tools & Platforms I Use
Code Editor: VS Code**
- Version Control: Git & GitHub
- Learning Platforms: FreeCodeCamp, Coursera, YouTube
- Blogging: Hashnode, Dev.to (now!)
- Portfolio Hosting: GitHub Pages
🌱 What I'm Working On Now
- I'm actively working on real-world projects including:
- A student resource website (HTML/CSS/JavaScript)
- Shopify store customization
- Responsive UI components with Bootstrap
🔁 Lessons Learned Along the Way
- You don’t need a CS degree to break into tech — consistency matters more.
- Real projects > tutorials. Apply what you learn.
- The developer community (like on Dev.to) is super helpful and motivating.
📢 Final Thoughts
Switching from commerce to coding was scary, but every line of code I write confirms that I made the right choice.
If you're from a non-tech background and wondering if it's too late or too hard — let this be your sign: You can absolutely do it.
If you want to read my full story, here's my original post on Hashnode:
👉 How I Switched from Commerce to Tech: My Self-Taught Journey
Top comments (1)
I started out with HTML, Java, and CSS, then moved through PHP into Python and Bash. Really cool to see others walking similar paths—it makes the journey feel a little less lonely. That path led me to my latest project: a Layer 7 AI firewall built with ethics and adaptability in mind.
If you’ve got a moment, swing by my page and drop a comment or a like—it means a lot as we all find our footing. Big peace and love to you, my dude. Happy scripting