I became a SOFTWARE ENGINEER at 30 • fresh start at microsoft

Let's talk about starting a career in your late 20s, early 30s. It was a whole lot of emotions and challenges but, from the other side of that transition now I can tell you that: 1. despite your fears, it's NOT too late, and 2. it is SO worth it 🕊✨

Today we are talking about becoming a software engineer later in life. I switched careers by going back to college but there are many different pathways. This is simply my story.i never thought I would work in tech having dreamt about art and design my whole life. But dreams change, we get to know ourselves better, and we discover new goals and dreams along the way. If you've been thinking of switching careers to tech, I hope you find my story as a little beacon to show that it is possible.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - intro
02:40 - how and why I switched from fashion design to tech
05:13 - discovering programming and teaching myself to code
08:37 - declaring Computer Science as my major in community college
10:03 - the start to my Computer Science Bachelor's degree
11:04 - studying for technical interviews
14:28 - my interview with microsoft
16:16 - footage from the vault (the day before my technical interview)
19:32 - i got the offer! - my first internship
21:07 - my second internship (in person ✨)
23:20 - the full time offer (at 30 ✨)
24:25 - thank you for watching

ABOUT ME:
I am Anto, a recent Computer Science grad and software engineer. I was previously a fashion designer, branding strategist, and illustrator.

SOCIALS:

topics:
university, senior year, life transitions, software engineer, college student, seattle, washington, faang, maang, software engineering, tech, day in the life, routine, work, productive, productivity, work day in the life, week vlog, women in tech, programming, coding

[sergion]

hey everyone, just wanted to let you know that in my new college hire group, it was me (recently graduated), a 26 year old, and a 31 year old. The 31 Y.O had less than a year of experience, and managed to become a dev lead a few weeks ago. Never too late to start, he has learned an incredible amount of information in a year.

[Jsslca]

I’m 30 and just starting my career as a software engineer, this makes me feel seen

[FoAMDFun]

I started/changed at 42. Never too late.

[chuckfaber]

I was a middle school teacher until I was about 29 years old when I went back to school to become a computer engineer. I graduated early 2022 at age 33 and have been working as a computer engineer for about a year and a half so far. I had never learned to code until that first term of engineering school and graduated with a master’s degree and had an internship with NASA. I’m loving my job now and the salary compared to a teacher’s salary is *chef’s kiss*. Go for it at any age! I wasn’t even the oldest one in my classes.

[stu]

On my 3rd year of a cs degree at 36. Decided to hit the restart button on my direction during covid

[lerrz]

Worked in construction and restaurants till I was 29, now I'm 31 and working as a SOC Analyst.

[GaborGubicza]

Thanks for sharing your story Antonella!

I'm a 35 years old Electronics and hardware engineer, I decided a few weeks ago to switch over to software engineering, or at least to dive deeper into software.

[IncorrectTarget.]

Thank you for sharing your story. You can become a SOFTWARE ENGINEER at 69 if you want or 15. There is no wrong time and if you decide it's not what you wanted or you are fed up you can become Amazon reseller or teach cooking cookies in your next big life decision. "Too many people die at 25 and not get buried until they are 85" - I was also one of them but it is time to wake up.

[mengyuanli]

Thank you for sharing the story! I'm 30 now and I started my first software devloper job at 29, went through exactly the sam path as yours except that I got tons of rejection from big and small tech companies:( I spent a whole year to find my current job with a totally burn-out mental health. Sometimes I thought maybe I am not smart enough to do this job since I feel challenging and frustrating not only from tech side but also from communication side ( I can't catch others' meaning immediately due to language limit that makes me frastrated). From time to time, I also think that I may quit this career at some point cuz it's so demanding and wish I can be as smart as those who passed interviews. Your video warms me as I'm not the only one.

[Killrskull.]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. As an 11th grader, I've been really stressed and pressured about my future, but watching your video and sharing your ups and downs while trying to discover your interests and trying to survive really inspired me. Your video made me realize that I would love to become a software engineer and I can start coding now and have a chance to one day work in a big company where I can meet people who love this as much as I do. Congratulations and I'm really happy for all the things you have accomplished. Lots of love from Mexico ♥

[ndjprr]

I am a 40y old women studying SE and I am glad to found this video

[Viafro]

I am 31 yo and i made the most important move in my career last year and now i am software engineer still battling with the imposter's syndrome.

[CareerPivotNow]

I'm 30 and in the process of going through a backend software engineer bootcamp. Your story is bittersweet and encouraging. It gives the reality of the journey. Idk if mine will be exactly like yours but I am expecting obstacles and difficulties along the way. Thank you for the honest truth.

[Lolof]

I am in a similar position at the start of your coding journey. I have been in the fitness industry for 8 years and currently feeling like I need to leave it behind in the current state it is, especially the online fitness world. I am currently back in school for software engineering, learning! It’s tough but I’m determined.

[hannahgnichols]

Wow! This was such a motivating story, Antonella. I'm currently going through a career change in my mid 20s from dental to software engineering. I would love to see a video about why graphic design was not the right path for you and what indicators led you to shift to software engineering instead. Truly inspiring to know that there are so many people still discovering themselves and figuring out what works best for them!

[ycjade]

I needed this video. I come from a medical background & snowballed into burnout. There are so many moments of frustration & today was definitely a day of frustration.

[GAMenBoy]

24:10 JAJAJAJ te amo crazy blda, no creo en las casualidades sino en las causalidades, que hermoso encontrar una historia tan similar a la mía, si bien es extremadamente difícil ejercer cualquier profesión artística o referente al diseño, estoy sintiendo y sentí muchísimas cosas que nombraste sobre la crisis de los 30, tengo 29 ahora pero en julio ya estoy pisando los 30 y realmente la vida te lleva a autoanalizarte profundamente y a depurarte de todo lo que aprendiste en el camino para animarte a llevar tu potencial a otro nivel, con inseguridades y miedos, etc. en fin no quiero aburrirte pero te confieso que me sorprendió escuchar tan buen inglés en calidad, tuve que googlear un montón de palabras que nunca había escuchado jajaj, me encantaría saber tu historia personal de como empezaste a aprender inglés y como llegaste a dominarlo al nivel que tenes ahora, por cierto te ultra felicito por el esfuerzo logrado y por donde llegaste, realmente me dio ganas de llorar al comienzo de tu historia por sentir tantos sentimientos iguales en este momento, gracias por compartir tu experiencia y ojalá hagas una versión en español porque mucha gente hispanohablante necesita escuchar esta historia, es realmente admirable y emocionante, un abrazo de un bldo Formoseño que vive en Bs As y se apellida Mendoza pero sueña desde chico conocer y vivir en USA. Voy a estar super atento a tus proximos videos ahi te sigo en Ig ♥

[angrydonut]

Im a immigrant in Europe aswell working in finance now wanting to jump in to tech. It is so great to find your channel and not feel that alone in this journey :) thanks! Un abrazo

[reconnect]

Extremely inspiring story, I’m 23 and went back to school for CS at 21. Seeing my friends graduate while I was just starting was definitely demoralizing so I feel like I can relate to you. I’m curious as to what projects or experience you had to show to get your 2nd year internship? I’m right about at the same point and feel under qualified.

[Prismcollects]

I’m 29 and deciding to pursue my career towards CS. I’d like to be a software developer and I’m excited for the outcome. I felt discouraged back then, didn’t feel smart as much, but I feel more confident in myself and always had a passion for tech. Best of luck to everyone and yes, it’s never too late to change your career. Enjoy life and make the best out of it!