This might sound like a cry for help because, in some ways, it is. I wish someone had warned me about the challenges and pitfalls before I found myself knee deep. While many people in tech share glowing stories about how it transformed their lives, I’m yet to share mine. Notice I used the word “yet“? That’s because I know it’s going to happen someday.
After almost four years, my portfolio consists of projects from my previous job (which will likely be updated soon), a handful of personal projects meant to showcase my skills to potential employers, and articles mostly read by friends and loved ones. It’s hard to say I’m the best person to encourage someone to enter the tech world because, truthfully, I’m not sure I’m doing it right myself.
Every day seems to introduce a new hurdle:
Optimizing your CV for specific roles.
Crafting tailored cover letters.
Including just the right keywords to avoid getting flagged by application systems.
And that’s just scratching the surface.
The tech space has grown increasingly competitive and, at times, overwhelming. Every day brings a new tutorial promising you can "learn it all in three months." Some people juggle multiple jobs, while junior roles now demand years of experience. The days of landing an entry-level role with just HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are long gone. Now, you’re expected to know:
Frameworks like React, Next.js, or Remix.js,
CSS tools like Tailwind CSS, Material UI, Chakra UI or Bootstrap,
Component libraries like Shadcn or Panda CSS,
State management tools like Redux or Flux,
Animation libraries like Framer Motion.
Even companies hiring for “junior” positions often ask for 4+ years of experience. This imbalance what economics calls "Excess Supply" is glaring. And let’s not forget that even those already working in tech face their own unique challenges and pressures.
I’m not here to discourage anyone. If you’re passionate about tech, go for it! If you’re already in the field, keep building impactful, innovative things. But as we navigate this space, let’s also strive to support each other, share knowledge, and continue to make tech more accessible for everyone.
Above all, don’t forget your mental health. Things will get tough, but train yourself to look for the light at the end of the tunnel. I haven’t mastered it yet, but I’m learning, one day at a time.