Francesco Ciulla

Finding Your Way in Tech

Can being told 'you will never be a developer' actually launch your career? Learn how to turn rejection into your greatest motivator.

Finding Your Way in Tech
#1about 4 minutes

Finding your career path with varied interests

A personal journey from wanting to be an astronaut to coaching volleyball before starting a computer science degree without a clear direction.

#2about 3 minutes

How negative feedback can become powerful motivation

A professor's discouraging comment becomes the catalyst for learning to code through game development, which teaches crucial software fundamentals.

#3about 2 minutes

Why job rejection can be a lucky break

Failing an interview due to memorizing specific syntax highlights the lesson that rejection is an opportunity to persevere and adjust your direction.

#4about 3 minutes

Landing a dream job by focusing on fundamentals

An unexpected interview with the European Space Agency succeeds because it tested core concepts like Docker and Git, not rote memorization.

#5about 3 minutes

Combining development skills with communication and teaching

To counteract the isolation of a developer job, creating online content and attending conferences opened new doors in developer relations and public speaking.

#6about 1 minute

The first key to success is building the right habits

Adopting consistent, positive habits like waking up early and coding daily is a foundational step for changing your life and career.

#7about 1 minute

The second key is connecting with the right people

Building a professional network at events and online is crucial for discovering career opportunities and finding peers with similar goals.

#8about 2 minutes

The final key is being brutally honest with yourself

True change begins with self-awareness and admitting when you are unhappy with your situation, which empowers you to take action.

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