The tech industry offers boundless opportunities, constant innovation, and the potential to impact millions of lives. It can be an exciting yet daunting field for aspiring technologists and software engineers. Over the past 15 years, my journey has taken me from a curious student to a leader, mentor, and innovator in technology. 

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Along the way, I’ve learned that success in tech isn’t just about mastering the latest technologies—it’s about adaptability, problem-solving, collaboration, and a deep sense of purpose.

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This is the story of my journey and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Whether you’re just starting or looking to advance, I hope my experiences inspire and guide you toward a fulfilling tech career or learning journey.

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My Journey in Technology

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My tech career journey is deeply rooted in my faith as a follower of Jesus Christ, whose hand has masterfully directed each step. From a young age, I was drawn to technology and media creation, setting me on a path of discovery and innovation. My passion led me to earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Technology from Savannah State University, opening doors to a career of collaboration, growth, and impact.

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I began my professional journey at Verizon Wireless as a Data Warehouse Developer. Immersed in data engineering, analytics, and business intelligence, I built a solid technical foundation in harnessing the power of data, which is the fabric of all technology applications. But I quickly realized the tech world had far more to offer, sparking my desire to explore new horizons.

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That desire led me to Chick-fil-A, where I took on challenges that pushed me beyond data engineering. I immersed myself in technologies like Amazon Web Services(AWS), Java, Python, Application Programming Interfaces(APIs), microservices, solution architecture, and more. This marked a pivotal career phase as I explored technical leadership and the broader software engineering community. Speaking at the AWS Summit 2019 to hundreds of developers was a defining moment, affirming my belief in the power of sharing knowledge and connecting with others.

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As my career progressed, mentorship became a core part of my journey. I was a Platform Engineering Team Lead at Georgia Tech Research Institute, guiding teams and fostering innovation. Later, I joined A Cloud Guru (now Pluralsight) as a Training Architect. I co-authored the AWS SysOps Administrator Exam Prep Course, which has since reached over one million students across 150 countries. This role allowed me to combine my love for teaching with my technical expertise, empowering professionals to master cloud skills.

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As a principal software engineer at Slalom, I continued blending mentorship and technical leadership, helping over 30 engineers upskill through the AWS Cloud Residency program in the United States and Tokyo. 

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Today, I lead a technical team at Southwest Airlines, focusing on enterprise-grade technology solutions that enhance efficiency and customer engagement. My passion for technology, mentorship, and creating impact has remained my driving force.

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Lessons for Success in Tech

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My experiences taught me that a successful tech career isn’t just about mastering programming languages, frameworks, tools, and certifications. While technical skills are essential, they are only part of the equation. True success comes from understanding the broader picture—adapting to change, approaching problems with a solutions-driven mindset, collaborating with diverse teams, and continuously growing professionally and personally.

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Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that the ability to adapt to an ever-changing landscape is just as important as knowing the latest programming language. Building relationships and working collaboratively can often be the difference between a project that thrives and one that stalls. And that failure, though uncomfortable, is inevitable and necessary for growth.

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A fulfilling tech career isn’t just about what you know; it’s about approaching challenges, working with others, and aligning your work with your passions and purpose. These fundamental principles have shaped my career and are the foundation of what I believe makes the journey meaningful and rewarding:

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1. Tech is Always Changing—Stay Adaptable

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The only constant in tech is change. When I started, technologies like cloud computing were just emerging. Today, AI and blockchain dominate the landscape. Staying curious and adaptable has allowed me to pivot my skills and remain relevant in an ever-evolving field.

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Tip: Never stop learning. Monitor trends, take courses, attend conferences, and embrace new technologies early. The more curious and adaptable you are in tech, the more opportunities you’ll create for yourself.

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2. The Power of Problem-Solving

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Tech is ultimately about solving problems. Early on, I worked on complex systems integration projects where success wasn’t about writing perfect code—it was about solving business challenges. Cultivate a mindset of breaking problems into manageable steps and experimenting with solutions.

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Tip: Hone your problem-solving skills. Practice breaking complex problems into smaller, actionable steps; don’t be afraid to experiment. Persistence is key.

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3. Collaboration is Key

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The stereotype of the lone coder is long outdated. My most successful projects have been collaborative efforts involving developers, designers, project managers, and clients. Building strong relationships and learning from others are as vital as technical expertise.

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Tip: Don’t work in silos. Network with others in the field, contribute to open-source projects, and participate in industry discussions. Building relationships is just as crucial as building software.

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‍4. Failure is Part of the Process

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Failure isn’t a roadblock—it’s a stepping stone. I’ve faced countless moments where things didn’t go as planned, but every setback taught me valuable lessons that fueled my growth. Embrace failure as part of the journey.

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Tip: Approach failure with a growth mindset. When something doesn’t work, analyze why, learn from the experience, and apply that knowledge to your next attempt.

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‍5. Specialization vs. Generalization: Find Your Path

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Early in your career, explore broadly to discover what excites you. As you grow, consider specializing in areas that align with your goals. My path took me from a generalist to specializing in cloud computing and media production, but the key is to remain open to pivoting as opportunities arise.

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Tip: Start broad to explore different tech areas, then narrow your focus as you discover what excites you the most. Remember, you can always change direction later—many in tech reinvent themselves multiple times throughout their careers.

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‍6. Soft Skills Matter as Much as Hard Skills

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Technical expertise alone isn’t enough. The ability to communicate effectively, lead teams, and empathize with clients has been as critical to my success as my coding skills.

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Tip: Work on improving your soft skills alongside your technical skills. Being able to articulate your ideas, manage relationships, and lead projects will take you far in the tech world.

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7. Find Your Purpose and Passion

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Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, find what drives you. The tech world is vast, and there’s a place for everyone. Whether you’re passionate about using AI to solve healthcare challenges or love building software that helps businesses operate more efficiently, aligning your work with your passion will keep you motivated even during challenging times.

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In my career, I’ve always been driven by the desire to create impactful solutions at the intersection of technology and media. That passion has fueled my tech journey and helped me push through obstacles.

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Tip: Take the time to explore different fields and find the one that excites you. Aligning your career with your passions makes work more fulfilling.

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Bringing It All Together

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Embarking on a tech career is a thrilling journey filled with endless learning and opportunities to create impact. My journey has taught me that success isn’t defined solely by the technologies you master—your adaptability, problem-solving abilities, collaboration, resilience, and sense of purpose shape it.

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Whether starting your tech journey or looking to level up, I encourage you to embrace curiosity, pursue growth, and build meaningful connections. Your path in tech will be unique, but success principles remain universal.

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Welcome to the tech world—I can’t wait to see what you’ll create.

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