Why I decided to start studying Software Engineering

Well that might be a long story, but I’ve always been interested in computers and gaming. However I made them a hobby/interest rather than an option for a career. I am currently a chemist and going for my masters in chemistry while working full time. Then we hit quarantine and school sort of lots its hold on me and I realized how little I was enjoying that. I decided to not register for this Fall semester in 2020. I couldn’t be happier with starting this new path instead.

Studying Chemistry will bring a different outlook for me and hopefully to the cohort with being able to look at things from different perspectives. I am hopeful software engineering will combine my hobbies and passions with my career.

I had a taste of programming in high school a decade ago. I took classes such as web design, graphic design, and flash animation. I enjoyed the challenge of those classes. It was like learning a new language(I imagine, sadly I only know English). I always like a mental challenge.

Another major factor into the career switch is my best friend, he is a software engineer. This field has taken him places I could never go if I stayed where I am. The Tech industry is just constantly growing and evolving. It also is so open minded. Identifying as gay is still hard in these fields dominated by older generations. I don’t feel I can fully be myself where I am and that is not the best mindset to have at the place you spend a majority of your life.