I’ve spent over a decade as a dental hygienist, embracing the routine of patient care with a smile. Yet, beneath the surface, there was an itch for something more. I needed something that challenged me, made me search and explore. Despite the love I had for helping people, the predictability of my days left me craving for a change. A change that, deep down, I knew was rooted in my earliest fascinations with technology.
My journey into the tech world might seem unusual at first. From crafting a simple website with hand-drawn animals and their sounds at the age of 7, my childhood was sprinkled with moments of technological creativity. This website wasn’t just a project; it was the beginning of my love for technology. With my dad working in IT— a profession he’s still dedicated to—he ensured that my early years were filled with more than just passive screen time. Building websites and diving into the digital worlds of games like Freddy Fish, my childhood was rich with experiences that quietly sowed the seeds of tech fascination. My dad played a crucial role in familiarizing me with the ins and outs of technology, nurturing a curiosity that awlays stayed with me.
Despite this early love for tech, a detour through life led me down the path of dentistry, a field I dedicated myself to without ever questioning why. It was a career chosen more by circumstance than by calling. Little did i know, this was also marking the beginning of a journey that would eventually circle back to my first love—technology.
Double-edged sword
The repetition of my daily tasks as a dental hygienist, as comforting as they were, eventually felt like scanning items at a grocery store checkout. I felt bored-out, craving more excitement and the thrill of encountering new challenges. Yet, a chorus of insecurities whispered relentlessly in my mind, saying things like; “You can’t do this”, “They will find out you do not belong there” or; “You’re not smart enough, just stay where you are now!”.
Where I was at that point was not bad, my career was going well, financially I was doing good, my clients were happy with my services and patients were asking specifically for me when booking their appointments. By all accounts, I had achieved what many would consider success. Yet it didn’t make me feel accomplished at all.
My anxiety anchored me to dentistry, a field I was familiar with, even as I yearned for a change. This internal conflict made my daily work feel even more monotonous, underscoring the void I felt for not pursuing my true passion. The comfort of my current situation was a double-edged sword—it provided stability but at the cost of hindering my personal and professional development, dimming the joy I once found in my work.
TechGrounds
The desire for something more led me to discover Techgrounds, an organization offering an intensive six-month program for people with a non-tech background. They offered multiple programs in different tech directions. This program promised not only in-depth training but also two certifications and a job guarantee at the end. The major hurdle? It required stepping away from work and any form of income for those six months. Despite my reservations and my anxiety, I decided to take the leap.
Techgrounds’ program was intense and filled with ups and downs. It wasn’t just about acquiring new skills; it was about adapting to a completely different environment, filled with people from varied backgrounds and experiences. The journey tested my resilience and forced me to confront my insecurities head-on.
After completing the program and earning my certifications, I felt a brief moment of triumph. However, this feeling was quickly overshadowed by the realization that the real challenge was just beginning. Entering the tech field brought with it a wave of imposter syndrome, making me question my abilities and my place in this new industry.
Salesforce
I chose the Salesforce program at Techgrounds for several reasons, the most compelling of which was my familiarity with Salesforce. The concept of Ohana, which emphasizes community support and inclusivity, resonated deeply with me. The willingness of people within the Salesforce ecosystem to help one another, coupled with the extensive free online training resources, made it an attractive option. And, of course, the charming mascots of Salesforce added a fun and engaging element to the learning experience.
Salesforce stands out as an accessible entry point into the tech world, especially for those, like myself, coming from a non-technical background. It offers a path to begin as a low- or no-code functional consultant, allowing newcomers to get acclimated to tech without being overwhelmed by coding from the start. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, which greatly eased my transition into tech. Starting with Salesforce allowed me to leverage its intuitive tools and supportive community to build a solid foundation in my new career.
The choice to dive into Salesforce through Techgrounds was strategic, offering a balance of structured learning and practical, hands-on experience. This approach not only facilitated my certification success but also provided a supportive environment to explore the diverse roles within the Salesforce ecosystem. My journey with Salesforce has been instrumental in my transition, underscoring the importance of choosing the right platform to kickstart a career in tech.
Why i chose Architecture
My journey into architecture was sparked by an initiative called Women in Delivery. Encouraged by a colleague who recommended me for this course, I was initially hesitant, doubting whether it was the right fit for me. However, I decided to embrace the opportunity with an open mind, reasoning that I had nothing to lose and everything to learn.
The program introduced me to an exceptional mentor who, interestingly, also lacked a traditional tech background. This was a revelation to me. He opened my eyes to the true essence of architecture and the diversity of roles within the field. My previous notion of an architect had been narrow and stereotypical—an older male, socially awkward, buried deep in technical knowledge. This was a prejudgment that quickly dissolved as I learned more about the profession.
Architecture, I discovered, is more then just designing of solutions. It’s stakeholder management, effective communication, requirements gathering. It involves brainstorming sessions, envisioning long-term impacts, and strategic decision-making. Beyond these, architecture is about probing deeper into problems—understanding their root causes, clarifying the underlying needs, and evaluating the broader implications of potential solutions.
This holistic approach and the requirement to think beyond the immediate issue truly captivated me. Architects, in my eyes, became superhumans to me. They are equipped with a bird’s-eye view of projects, connecting dots across disciplines, and engaging with a variety of stakeholders.
Falling in love with the field of architecture was swift and easy. The role of an architect, as I came to understand it, is not just creating technical designs, but also about the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, and the foresight to anticipate and mitigate potential challenges. It’s a blend of technical skill, strategic thinking, and interpersonal communication that resonates with my own aspirations and strengths.
What about that Imposter Syndrome?
Even now, 1.5 years into my journey in tech, the shadow of imposter syndrome occasionally looms over me. This feeling, though unsettling, has also been a profound teacher. It has underscored the value of the unique path I’ve traveled and the distinct skills and perspectives I’ve gained along the way.
To those of you standing at the brink of a major career shift, wrestling with doubt and fear is completely normal. But it’s crucial to recognize that these feelings are part of the journey toward growth and self-discovery. The road to achieving something new, especially as significant as a career change, is paved with challenges. Yet, it’s important to remind ourselves of the potential for success beyond the comfort zone.
Remember, it’s okay to feel like an imposter sometimes; it’s a sign that you’re pushing your boundaries and exploring new territories. What’s more important is to not let this feeling hinder your progress. There are always people ready to support you—mentors, colleagues, and even those who’ve been through similar experiences. I, too, am here to help, sharing my story in the hopes that it might light the way for someone else.
So, if you’re contemplating a leap into something new, don’t let anxiety and negative thoughts hold you back. The journey may be daunting, but it’s also filled with opportunities for growth and learning. Keep moving forward, one step at a time, and remember: you’re not alone. The feelings of doubt and impostor syndrome are part of the process, but they don’t define your potential or the outcome of your journey.
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
