What has helped you keep pushing through in Tech and finding your career path?

Career Advice
1

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here, so thank you for taking the time to read it. Any advice or words of encouragement would really mean a lot right now.

I’m Martin, and I’ve been living in Texas since 2018. I’m currently wrapping up a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity—just three classes away from graduating. But to be completely honest, I’ve been feeling close to giving up. This post is both a call for advice and a way to connect with others who might feel the same in this fast-moving industry.

I started my degree just before the pandemic hit. Like many people, I had no idea how drastically life would change. I’ve had to switch universities multiple times due to both external and internal challenges, which stretched out my timeline. Financially, I’ve bounced between full-time and part-time studies while also working full time to stay afloat.

Lately, I’ve seriously considered pausing or even walking away from my degree… and the industry. What drew me to cybersecurity in the first place wasn’t money—it was the way technology intersects with real-world systems. I’m fascinated by how cyber connects to things like healthcare, government policy, and personal privacy. I love the idea of managing the technology and the people who work with it, because healthy people will give you healthy technologies.

But the more I learn, the more overwhelmed I feel. Everyone seems to have different opinions—some say a degree is necessary, others rely on certifications or self-study. Because of my circumstances, I haven’t had a chance to get much hands-on experience yet. I often feel behind, unsure of where I stand, or where to start.

Recently, I listened to an episode of the freeCodeCamp podcast, and it really encouraged me to keep going. Many of the guests talked about learning at their own pace, building skills steadily, and not giving up. It has caused to shift my mindset and take my time as every story and journey is different.

So here I am. I want to share where I’m at, and maybe find some clarity—or even just community. My current plan is simple: take it one day at a time. I’ll finish my last few classes while exploring hands-on learning with freeCodeCamp and other resources. I may not move fast, but I want to move with direction and purpose.

Eventually, I hope to use what I’ve learned to help others—and maybe one day, pass the torch.

Thanks again for reading. If you’ve been through something similar, I’d really appreciate hearing your story or advice.

—Martin V.

2

Welcome to the forum @mrtinv

Write down, if you haven’t already, why you want to learn, get out of, accomplish, and give back to the industry. Seems like you have thought a lot about most of this.

You may find yourself making changes to your purpose, which is called being adaptable. However, a written document can serve as a guide or road map you can reference, or fallback on when you need motivation.

Definitely take small steps, one day at a time. Tech is fast moving, and it is impossible to keep up with everything. This is where building foundational skills can play a key part. If Cybersecurity is what interests you, then find out what specialised and in demand skills are needed in the next few years.

If there are only a few classes left to graduation, then continue studying. A degree on your CV or resume can open doors, even if the position is entry level.

Happy coding

1 Like
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Hello, welcome to the forums! Be sure to check out freeCodeCamp’s other channels (discord/youtube/etc) to find other community beyond the forum!

My current plan is simple: take it one day at a time. I’ll finish my last few classes while exploring hands-on learning with freeCodeCamp and other resources. I may not move fast, but I want to move with direction and purpose.

Honestly, in a world like today taking things one day at a time with a general direction toward your goals might be the best bet. Simply put, the world is built in a way where there’s nearly infinite information, options, and distractions.

I commend you for figuring this out yourself, often times people come into the forums seeking help and not even realizing or executing any steps to get to their goals. You on the other hand are on the cusp of finalizing your degree (yay!), already marched through some challenges and seemingly have gotten to the other side just fine, and want to communicate your experience, which is awesome!

Again, welcome to the forums!

Good luck, keep building!

1 Like
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I truly appreciate you taking the time to reply and for the kind welcome!

I hadn’t considered making a written plan to picture how my purpose could take shape, and I found that concept quite intriguing. Aligning my sense of purpose with the fundamental skills or roles in cybersecurity is something I occasionally find difficult. It frequently seems as though there isn’t a clear-cut or tangible way to use it quite yet. One important lesson I learned from your response is to not be scared to change my purpose as I grow. As that is how we can give room for adaptability to happen. Yet, I’ve seen these type of changes as an indication of failure or a lagging behind, but like you said, the most important thing is to stay flexible and adaptable.

If I may ask, what does that [adaptability in your purpose] look like for you in practice? Could you share an example? How has your approach changed compared to your early days in tech or your current responsibilities?

Thank you again for your advise and encouragement; it really means a lot!

-Martin V

5

Hello Brad!@bradtaniguchi

Thank you for your response; it means a lot!

Part of my first question originated from the weight of feeling like I needed to have everything figured out before reaching a key milestone or goal. For instance, even though I’m about to complete a four-year tech degree, I frequently feel frustrated since I don’t have a clear path planned out. (Well, it actually took more like six years.) Even while I know it’s all a part of the journey, the gap between expectations and reality can feel like failure or wasted time.

The scope and versatility of cybersecurity, and technology in general, is something I truly admire. I’m naturally drawn to it because of its intricacy and broad range of applications across industries. You can find a tech job or role at any type of industry, specially after the pandemic.

That being said, I’m curious: how do you deal with feelings of frustration or the pressure of outside expectations? Have you encountered that conflict in the past? If yes, how did you handle those experiences and learn to trust yourself?

Again, thank you so much for reading and responding!

-Martin V