I first became interested in software development in college, after taking a class on Informatics. While I really enjoyed the theory behind technology and ethics, I struggled with the programming coursework and decided that I must be better suited for a software-adjacent career. As time passed, I found myself treating programming as a hobby; I would use spare afternoons to take free tech courses at the library, I used quiet evenings to take free online courses, and I started volunteering at the technology center of the Denver Public Library. As much as I enjoyed learning programming languages, I found more joy in using what I'd learned to help other people.
I decided to become a developer after a conversation with a library patron. He came up to the help desk and asked to set up an email. I walked over to his table, worked with him to create one, and as I was about to walk back to the help desk, he mentioned that he'd been incarcerated for five years, and now the whole world is different. This struck a cord with me; the Internet, and tech itself, is a tool for communication and empowerment. It's a shame that those who are underpriviledged, overlooked, or disenfranchised, may not have access to the resources, and may feel overwhelmed by what there is to learn. If I'm priveledged enough to learn how to manuever the Internet, it's my responsibility to help others feel that same empowerment. That realization has brought me to where I am, and I've never felt more motivated.
Hey Ann,
This is a really great way to tell your story. I appreciate how you've brought in both the concrete pieces that have sparked your interest as well as the anecdote about the library patron to show very clearly what drives you. That's a powerful message. I would recommend as you think about other contexts in which you'll tell your story, such as for LinkedIn, to consider how you can bring in specific details about the technologies that you like working with the most and what other transferable skills you bring to do this work. Nice job!