I’ve been in the tech industry since 2016. That might not sound like forever, but as I look back, it’s nine solid years of coding, exploring, failing, winning, and feeling like an imposter more times than I can count. If you’d asked me at the start if I’d still be here—especially after the self-doubt I had as a junior developer—I would have laughed. Yet here I am, making more money than I ever dreamed, sometimes close to “Netflix money” without actually working at Netflix. It’s wild.
That doesn’t mean there weren’t bumps. Imposter syndrome? Had it for more than half my career. Doubts? Tons. But I pushed through, tried new things, changed jobs, learned from mistakes, and kept going. After nearly a decade, I want to share a few big takeaways—both the good and the bad.
1) The YouTube vs. Coding Dilemma
For all the success I’ve had, there’s a part of me that wonders what would’ve happened if I’d spent the countless hours I invested into YouTube purely on coding. I don’t regret making YouTube videos—I’ve enjoyed it, it’s brought me opportunities, and I’ve met incredible people through it. But if I’m brutally honest, that was hundreds or even thousands of hours that could have been spent deepening my coding expertise.
In hindsight, I might have chosen to split my time differently. Still, I believe in doing what you love. If creating online content makes you happy, do it—but don’t lose sight of your main career goals. There’s a balance between building a personal brand or side hustle and focusing on your core craft. If you’re serious about becoming a top-tier programmer, make sure you’re consistently leveling up your skills.
2) Front End or Back End? Do What You Love
When I started, everyone insisted that back end was where the big money was. They said, “Learn Python, learn Node.js, master databases. That’s where you’ll really shine.” So I did. And it worked—I make a great living, I’ve tackled challenging backend projects, and I do appreciate how critical backend development is.
But guess what? I still love the front end more. It comes naturally to me. There’s something about seeing an immediate visual result that’s really rewarding. For a long time, I let others’ opinions steer me away from the front end, thinking that was somehow “less prestigious.” It’s not. I know brilliant front-end developers who make just as much—or more—than a lot of backend folks. The secret is skill, not job title.
So if I could go back, I’d tell myself not to sweat other people’s opinions. If you’re fascinated by UI/UX and front-end frameworks, go for it. If you love building intricate APIs, do it. The money and opportunities will come when you excel at what you genuinely enjoy.
3) Live Below Your Means (Seriously)
Coming from a background where I didn’t have much, I was hungry to enjoy life once I started earning “real” money. My first tech job paid $45K in California, which was hardly enough to scrape by. But when I eventually hit $70K, $90K, and beyond, I thought, “I deserve a nicer apartment, a better car, maybe some cool gadgets.”
Before I knew it, half my paycheck went to rent, another chunk to a car payment, and I wasn’t saving or investing. That was a missed opportunity. If I’d put that money into Tesla, NVIDIA, or even just a simple index fund, who knows how far ahead I’d be now?
No matter how much you make, you’ll always find ways to spend it. That’s why it’s crucial to be intentional. Sure, treat yourself occasionally—but don’t get caught in the trap of upgrading your lifestyle with every raise. The faster you learn to invest and live below your means, the quicker you’ll reach financial freedom.
4) Don’t Let Fear Limit You
Early in my career, there were a bunch of things I avoided because I was afraid: AI, tricky algorithms, open-source contributions. The idea of diving into something brand-new seemed overwhelming, and I’d tell myself I wasn’t smart enough or didn’t have enough time.
What I’ve learned is that the only true way to move forward is to push through that fear. If AI interests you, take an online course—even a free one from Harvard or Stanford on YouTube. If you struggle with coding challenges, do LeetCode or HackerRank, no matter how annoying they can be. If you’ve never contributed to open source, pick a small project that excites you and add a feature or fix a bug. The worst that can happen? Someone corrects your code or you realize you need more practice. That’s how you grow.
5) It’s Never Enough (So Learn Contentment)
When I was making $45K, I dreamed of hitting $70K. Then $90K. Then $160K. Then $200K. Even when I made close to $400K last year, there was a part of me that said, “What’s next? Why not more?” Ambition is healthy—it pushes you forward. But if you never slow down to appreciate how far you’ve come, you’ll constantly feel inadequate.
That’s why contentment is huge. You can and should keep striving, especially in a fast-paced industry like tech. But make sure you notice when you’re actually in a good spot. Maybe you’ve found a supportive team and a role you love. Or maybe you have enough to live comfortably. Don’t get stuck on a hamster wheel of “never enough.”
Final Thoughts
Nine years in tech flew by. I’ve learned that money can grow exponentially, but it still doesn’t buy complete satisfaction. I’ve discovered that a career path doesn’t have to be defined by other people’s opinions—you can make frontend or backend or full-stack or even DevOps your own. And I’ve realized that fear is often just a sign that you’re about to learn something new.
If you’re early in your journey (or even years into it), I hope these reflections help you navigate your path. There’s so much opportunity in tech if you’re willing to keep learning and take a few risks. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next post!
Top comments (3)
Chris do you still 1 on 1 mentorship? Could you do a video on freelancing, is it feasible?
That was a good read Chris. Keep going deep brother.
When are you going to produce new youtube videos chris?