From Teacher to Mobile Developer: My Self-Taught Journey into Tech
When I stood in front of a classroom as a teacher, I loved the spark of understanding in my students’ eyes. I thrived on helping others learn and grow. But as much as I enjoyed teaching, I felt an itch for something more—a desire to build, create, and solve problems in ways I had never explored. That’s when I discovered mobile development, and my life took a completely different turn.
The First Step: A Leap of Faith
Leaving the familiar world of teaching wasn’t easy. I had no formal background in computer science outside a few courses in university, no mentor to guide me, and no concrete roadmap for how to transition into tech. But what I did have was an unshakable curiosity and a drive to learn. My journey began with small steps—exploring online tutorials, watching YouTube videos, and starting with the Udacity Intro to iOS App Development in Swift Course. I started with the basics, learning languages Swift and Objective-C to understand core native iOS development, and then gradually moved to more specialized tools for mobile development.
Challenges Along the Way
The road to becoming a mobile developer wasn’t smooth. I faced countless moments of frustration when code didn’t work as expected, and imposter syndrome often whispered that I didn’t belong in this field. I had to remind myself that every developer, no matter how experienced, starts as a beginner. Debugging became a teacher of its own, teaching me patience and persistence. Each error I resolved was a small victory, a step closer to mastering my craft.
Building My First App
One of the most exciting milestones in my journey was building my first app. It was Pitch Perfect, a voice recording app that allowed the user to playback their voice with different sound effects. Seeing it come to life on my phone was exhilarating. That moment solidified my passion for mobile development. I fell in love with having the ability to just showcase my work just by whipping out my iPhone.
Working My Way Up
After months of self-study and practice, I felt ready to start applying for roles. My first job I worked on small freelance project part-time while still doing being a substitute teacher to help with the slow transition. Over time, I got more involved in the local programming and mobile development community and networked through Hackathons, Meetups, and local tech events and conferences. Eventually, I networked with my lifelong mentor who helped me get my very first fulltime role as an intern iOS developer that lead to a Junior developer role, where I continued to refine my skills. Transitioning from a self-taught beginner to a professional developer took grit, but it also proved that dedication and hard work can open doors.
Values That Guide My Work
As a former teacher, I bring a unique perspective to my work as a developer. I prioritize clarity, communication, and continuous learning. Beyond that, I’m deeply committed to security and performance. Whether I’m building a sleek user interface or optimizing backend processes, I strive to create apps that are not only functional but also fast and secure. These values—security, performance, and innovation—are the foundation of my work.
Reflecting on the Journey
Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for the decision to pivot my career. Mobile development has given me the opportunity to create, problem-solve, and constantly learn—things that align perfectly with my passions. If you’re considering a career change or teaching yourself something new, know that it’s possible. The journey may be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
So here I am, still learning, still building, and still excited about the endless possibilities in tech. My journey from teacher to mobile developer is a reminder that with curiosity and persistence, you can redefine your path and achieve your goals.