Sometimes Things Won’t Go As Planned {& That’s Okay}

During a conversation with a Security Analyst, something he said really stood out to me – “the most important thing that you have is time.” Time to improve my programming skills. Time to make things. Time to explore the field more and see what I like. Time to fail at some things and be okay with being really, really bad long enough to learn it and become good.

I can’t help but reflect on how differently this summer turned out compared to what I had originally planned on paper. Almost none of the things happened exactly as I had envisioned, yet surprisingly, they worked out optimally for me. It was a very focused summer.

SF this summer put me exactly where I needed to be in life.

Around a year ago, I decided that SF was the city where I needed to be. It’s a hub of innovation in the US, with companies like Apple, Facebook, and Salesforce making their mark here. I felt drawn to the city’s culture and how it contributed to the success of these giants. I knew I had to spend some substantial time here, especially during my Freshman summer. It would allow the innovative spirit to seep into me. So, I applied to the Soll Center at CMC for a summer experience during my freshman year.

My proposal centered around three main components: building a website, working on projects at a makers lab, and maintaining a blog on the site. I was particularly excited about the Makers Lab aspect because I had experience with it in high school, and I loved the freedom to think and then bring my creations to life using various machines and tools. I knew this experience could impact my approach to problem-solving.

Thankfully, the Soll Center funded my request, and everything seemed on track. However, about week before leaving home, I landed an virtual internship opportunity. I did not want to turn it down because internships are important for growth and experience. But, I didn’t fully anticipate the time commitment it would require. After a few weeks in SF, I hit a brick wall. I didn’t enjoy the atmosphere of the hackerspace where I was supposed to work on projects. Juggling my internship and maker projects became overwhelming. There were so many tasks that needed to get done between the two things. Honestly, I felt the need to step back from the project.

I ended up writing a detailed email to the person I reported to regarding the project, explaining everything. We then had a phone call where she sounded so disappointed. I felt bad because she was right. I had committed to certain things and needed to follow through.

But, I didn’t let that define my summer. I regrouped, applied for membership at an alternative makerspace, met with a member, and got everything back on track. My website was taking shape as planned, and in just a week I was able to regain a good footing. I also continued applying to other possible tech opportunities.

During this time, I reignited my interest in cybersecurity. I applied and got accepted into CodePath’s intermediate cybersecurity program, and I also got accepted for a slot to attend the Grace Hopper Conference for Women in Computing with the school.

There was a question that came up “Do I need to still primarily focus on programming skills if I want to be a Security Engineer instead of a Software Engineer?” So, I sought guidance from career services and got directed to reach out to alum. I emailed the alumni who had roles in Cybersecurity, and asked them if they would be open to scheduling a quick call so that I can ask a few questions about the industry and their experience.

Soon after sending the email, I got a call scheduled, and it was incredibly informative. I decided to stick with software for now and switch to cybersecurity once I gain more experience. My ultimate goal is to excel in both fields. Encouraged by this clarity, I applied to a hackathon and began grinding LeetCode since I have exactly one month before I move into school.

I am more focused and organized than ever. My internship introduced me to the power of Notion, and now I have databases for everything (they are so aesthetically pleasing). This summer has taught me so much, and I am incredibly thankful for living in a time like this. During a conversation with a Security Analyst, something he said really stood out to me – “the most important thing that you have is time.” Time to improve my programming skills. Time to make things. Time to explore the field more and see what I like. Time to fail at some things and be okay with being really, really bad long enough to learn it and become good.

Last night, I was falling asleep, thinking about this algorithm and why the mapping wasn’t working as intended for a hashmap. It’s something I don’t get tired of. I digress, but my point is that things may not always go as planned, and there will be frustrating times. However, I am genuinely excited to learn more and grow through these experiences. Things will always work out how they are supposed to.

If you’ve made it to the end, thank you for coming to my TED Talk.