From working on fighter jet engines in the Indian Air Force to writing code for e-commerce stores, my journey has been anything but conventional. At 57, looking back on this transformation, I believe it’s a story worth sharing — not just because it’s unique, but because it might inspire someone out there who feels like it's too late to change paths.
The Early Years – Discipline and Engineering
I began my career with a Diploma in Electrical Engineering in the late 1980s. After a brief stint in machine maintenance, I joined the Indian Air Force in 1989 as an Airman as Engine Fitter. For 17 years, I worked on fighter jets—machines that required precision, responsibility, and absolute focus.
During my service, I didn’t stop learning. I completed BE in Electrical Engineering. In 2006, I even secured a 95 percentile score in the GATE exam.
From Aircrafts to Algorithms – The Shift to Software
When I retired from the Air Force in 2006, I was 38. I could have taken a stable engineering job, but I wanted something new—something future-oriented. I took a leap into software development. It wasn’t easy. I had to learn everything from scratch—programming, databases, web technologies. But my background in engineering helped me develop a structured, analytical approach to problem-solving.
By 2008, I landed my first software job. It was the start of a new chapter.
Finding My Niche – Magento and E-Commerce
In 2011, I started working with Magento, the popular open-source e-commerce platform. Over the years, I’ve built, maintained, and optimized many Magento-based stores. Today, I work remotely, as a solo developer, development to deployment of Magento e-commerce site end-to-end. It’s challenging at times, but also deeply satisfying.
Magento allowed me to combine technical depth with real-world business logic. I wasn’t just coding—I was helping businesses grow online.
The Mental Fluctuation – Loving and Loathing the Routine
I won’t pretend it's always been smooth. Some days, I love solving tough bugs and optimizing performance. Other days, I wonder if I’ve done this for too long. But that’s natural in any long-term career. What matters is keeping the purpose alive—by learning, sharing, and mentoring.
Why I'm Writing This
I’m writing this not to boast, but to tell you: It’s never too late to start over. Whether you're in uniform or in a workshop, your experience matters. Your discipline, your habits, and your mindset—these are your assets. The tech world needs people like us, who bring more than just code to the table.
What’s Next for Me
Over the next few years, I plan to:
- Share more of what I’ve learned via blogs and videos
- Mentor younger developers who are just getting started
- Eventually move toward consulting or teaching
If you’re someone switching careers late—or wondering if it's possible—feel free to connect. I’d be happy to help.
Whether it's jets or JavaScript, the principles remain the same: stay curious, stay committed, and keep moving forward.
✉️ If you liked this post, drop a comment or share what you'd like to learn about Magento or career transitions. I'd love to write more.
Top comments (0)