College:

Back in the day, the career options for women were quite limited. As a young adult, I remember feeling conflicted between pursuing a career as a teacher or a secretary. I ultimately decided to take courses at Laredo Junior College to become an executive secretary. Little did I know, I would stumble upon a course titled beginners for computer programming that would forever change the course of my life. I remember walking into the classroom and seeing a massive machine that dominated half of the room. We learned how to program it using peg boards, wires, and the incredible power of bits and bytes. It was fascinating to see how a combination of just 0’s and 1’s could create character and numbers. The experience was akin to operating old-school telephone lines, where operators would connect calls. Who knew that the course that I randomly picked would become the spark for a passionate love affair with computer science. Learning about the intricate combination of bits and bytes that create every character and number was like being transported to a whole new world. It was a truly transformative experience that would shape the course of my life forever.

It’s fascinating how a single experience can set you on a life-changing path. For me, that experience was a moment of sheer “wow”. I still remember the excitement that coursed through me as I first dabbled in technology and computer programming. Suddenly, a whole new world of knowledge and possibility was in my grasp. I wanted to learn more, to understand the intricacies of the language and the possibilities it held. It was the beginning of my journey as a struggling programmer, and I knew that I was destined for great things in this exciting field.

Working while in college can be tough, especially when it comes to covering expenses like meals and textbooks. Thankfully, my college had a work study program that provided jobs for low income students. I was lucky enough to be hired as a keypunch operator at the college center, which later led to being upgraded to a junior programmer. With each upgrade, I felt more confident and excited about what I was learning and contributing to the college community. Eventually, I was offered a full-time position as an employee by the college. It was during this time that the college upgraded its technology and moved to using computers for student enrollment and grades. Learning to program on these systems, such as the IBM system 1130 and IBM system 3 was both challenging and enjoyable. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to work, learn, and grow during my time in college.

There are some people in our lives who unknowingly become great influences in shaping our future. For me, it was my supervisor at the computer who readily made himself available anytime I needed help in programming. His patience was commendable as he took the time to teach me basic programming concepts. I didn’t realize it at the time, but those initial programming lessons proved to be a turning point in my life. Though I had been hired as a simple keyboard operator, I found myself drawn to the fascinating world of coding. The more I learned, the more I wanted to create.   I still remember the feeling of accomplishment I had when I successfully created my first program. It’s a feeling that only a programmer can truly appreciate. I am grateful for that supervisor who went above and beyond his job to help me discover my potential in programming. Looking back, I see how those moments with my supervisor paved the way for my future career in technology. He was one of those people who we don’t realize how much they’ll impact our lives until it’s too late, and I’m grateful for the time I spent learning from him.

As I walked across the stage to receive my diploma, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for all that I had accomplished over the past few years. Graduating from college is an achievement in and of itself, but I had also managed to get married and start a family while completing my coursework. While it certainly wasn’t easy, I felt proud of the balance I had struck between my familial responsibilities, my job at the college, and my pursuit of higher education. And while I could have stayed on at the college, I knew that I had a passion for technology that I wanted to pursue. So, I took a risk and started my own business – a decision that I have never regretted. Looking back on that day, I realize that it was the start of a new chapter in my life, one filled with endless possibilities and opportunities.