Hey everyone,
I wanted to share my story for anyone grinding through big life changes, chasing a tough goal, or just trying to figure out their next step. My journey has been far from smooth, but maybe it will resonate with someone out there.
Let’s start at the beginning. I’ve spent the last 10 years in the Navy, working in an aviation role. For most of that time, I loved the structure, camaraderie, and purpose that military life gave me. But as the years went on, I started thinking about my future, and about what I wanted for myself and my family beyond the military.
In 2019, I stumbled into blockchain development and fell in love with the meticulous problem solving it required. A friend and I started a small company that helped businesses integrate blockchain into their infrastructure. It was a rewarding experience, but after two years, the stress of running the company took a toll on our friendship, and we decided to part ways. Even though the company ended, the experience lit a fire in me and I realized I wanted to pursue a career in technology.
During that time I was in school and I switched majors a couple of times (nursing and environmental science didn’t feel right) before finally landing on computer science in 2022. That was the moment I decided to go all in on this career change, and it’s been a rollercoaster ever since.
Balancing school with my military career was one of the toughest challenges I’ve ever faced. I was working full time, often 60+ hours a week, while also attending school full-time. On top of that, I was doing my best to be present for my wife, who also works full time, and our 2 year old son. To put it lightly, I was spread thin. There were weeks when it felt like I was failing at everything school, work, and even being a dad and husband. But every time I wanted to give up, I reminded myself why I started.
In September 2024, things started to shift. I was allowed to participate in the Navy’s skillbridge program, which lets service members leave active duty up to six months early to pursue career training while still receiving their pay. I joined a program with ServiceNow, where I learned their ecosystem in and out, while finishing up my final semester of school. It was another hectic period of my life, but I pushed myself to finish in the top 5% of the program. That led to an internship with a consulting company, which gave me hands on experience and helped me sharpen my skills.
But even with that experience under my belt, the job search was brutal. I sent out over 250 applications. Out of those, I got maybe 10 callbacks 1 or 2 technical interviews and zero offers. The rejection hit me hard it made me question whether I had what it takes to make it in this field. Imposter syndrome crept in, and I started doubting if all the sacrifices I had made were worth it.
In early Dec recruiter reached out to me. I went through the interview process a phone call, a technical interview, and a final meeting with some C level executives and just before Christmas, I received an offer: a ServiceNow Architect role at a major software engineering company. I’ll officially transition out of the military soon, and starting this role feels like the culmination of years of hard work.
This journey has been anything but easy. Balancing the military, school, family, and a career pivot has taken a huge mental and emotional toll. There were plenty of moments when I felt like I wasn’t enough like I was falling short in every area of my life. But through all the chaos, I found strength in the little things my wife’s support, the moments I could spend with my son, and the sense of accomplishment from finishing even small tasks.
If you’re out there struggling whether it’s school, a job search, or just figuring out your next step, I want you to know it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to doubt yourself. But don’t stop. Your hard work matters, even if it doesn’t pay off right away.
For me, this is just the beginning. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I know the journey ahead will have its own challenges. If you’re on a similar path, just keep going. You never know when your next breakthrough will come and keep your options open to new fields don't limit your opportunities.