When I was about 13 we got the "Internet" (AOL). I quickly discovered these "Haxor Tools" for AOL. These apps would do stupid things in AOL like "IM Bombs", send ASCII art to chatrooms, etc. I wanted some specific features so I started looking into programming. My dad happened to have Visual Basic 2.0 (on something like 20 3.5inch floppies) so I loaded that up and started reading!
It was a slow start to understand how programming worked but once I reached a certain understanding and things started to click I was off and running. I built a few AOL "haxor tools" and then progressed into web sites and then got really into Linux and FreeBSD (and C/C++).
I was home-schooled from grade 6 through 12. With most of those years technically being "unschooled". I'm an INTP and was left to learn by myself. I believe having this personality type greatly helped me learn a lot and VERY quickly.
Fast forward a few years, I got a job at 18 as a tech support specialist for a local ISP.I built a few internal tools for the company but my job was tech support not programmer...
A year or so later I started studying to get my GED. Got the GED in a couple months and that was the end
of my education. No middle school, high school, or college.
I then got a job at a medium sized software company doing tech support. I did that for 2 years then they promoted me into a junior developer role. I had created a handful of internal tools for the support department which is how I was noticed by the development team and therefore recruited.
From here on I've been in senior developer roles at a handful of companies (startups to Fortune 50 companies).
I currently work for an all remote consulting company, live in a low cost of living part of the country (USA), and make a low FAANG salary (maybe 5x the local wages).
I design, build, maintain, and support a lot of various sites, tools, and services. Is it everything I've dreamed of? Pretty much but watch out for burnout.
I believe my success can be attributed to being very good at self education and doing it quickly (see INTP definition). That coupled with "do the job you wish to have" and being noticed for it. I was in tech support but I also built tools for the company. This was noticed and rewarded.
When I was about 13 we got the "Internet" (AOL). I quickly discovered these "Haxor Tools" for AOL. These apps would do stupid things in AOL like "IM Bombs", send ASCII art to chatrooms, etc. I wanted some specific features so I started looking into programming. My dad happened to have Visual Basic 2.0 (on something like 20 3.5inch floppies) so I loaded that up and started reading!
It was a slow start to understand how programming worked but once I reached a certain understanding and things started to click I was off and running. I built a few AOL "haxor tools" and then progressed into web sites and then got really into Linux and FreeBSD (and C/C++).
I was home-schooled from grade 6 through 12. With most of those years technically being "unschooled". I'm an INTP and was left to learn by myself. I believe having this personality type greatly helped me learn a lot and VERY quickly.
Fast forward a few years, I got a job at 18 as a tech support specialist for a local ISP.I built a few internal tools for the company but my job was tech support not programmer...
A year or so later I started studying to get my GED. Got the GED in a couple months and that was the end of my education. No middle school, high school, or college.
I then got a job at a medium sized software company doing tech support. I did that for 2 years then they promoted me into a junior developer role. I had created a handful of internal tools for the support department which is how I was noticed by the development team and therefore recruited.
From here on I've been in senior developer roles at a handful of companies (startups to Fortune 50 companies).
I currently work for an all remote consulting company, live in a low cost of living part of the country (USA), and make a low FAANG salary (maybe 5x the local wages).
I design, build, maintain, and support a lot of various sites, tools, and services. Is it everything I've dreamed of? Pretty much but watch out for burnout.
I believe my success can be attributed to being very good at self education and doing it quickly (see INTP definition). That coupled with "do the job you wish to have" and being noticed for it. I was in tech support but I also built tools for the company. This was noticed and rewarded.
I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.