Before I became a software engineer, I spent years working in the restaurant industry. I started as a line cook, sweating through long, grueling shifts, and eventually moved into restaurant management. The industry taught me resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving, but it also drained me. The low pay, brutal hours, and constant stress made me realize I needed a change. That realization set me on a path that led me from the chaos of a kitchen to earning a computer science degree, attending a coding bootcamp, and eventually landing my first software engineering role in Michigan.
The Grind of Restaurant Work
Working as a line cook is no joke. The heat, the relentless rush, the pressure to keep up—it’s a non-stop battle from the moment you clock in. Mistakes aren’t just inconvenient; they can throw off an entire dinner service. The job demands speed, precision, and the ability to handle stress without breaking down.
When I transitioned into restaurant management, I thought it would be a step forward. In some ways, it was—I had more responsibility and slightly better pay. But the stress only grew. Staffing shortages, unhappy customers, inventory issues, and the endless cycle of hiring and training made it feel like I was constantly putting out fires. Open-to-close shifts, sometimes six or seven days a week, offered no real stability or long-term growth.
The grind couldn’t last forever—there had to be a career that provided intellectual challenge, growth opportunities, and financial security. That’s when I set my sights on becoming a software engineer.
Earning a Computer Science Degree but Struggling to Find a Job
Making the leap into tech wasn’t easy. I had no prior experience in coding, and the idea of going back to school while working full-time was daunting. But I knew that if I wanted to break into the software engineering field, I needed a solid foundation.
I enrolled in a bachelor’s program in computer science, balancing coursework with long shifts at the restaurant. It was tough—there were nights when I came home exhausted, barely able to focus on studying. But I kept pushing. Programming felt overwhelming, but my kitchen problem-solving skills helped. Debugging was like fixing workflow issues—breaking problems down under pressure
When I finally graduated, I began applying to jobs, optimistic that my degree would be my ticket in. But I quickly learned that breaking into software development wasn’t just about having a degree—it was about proving I had real, hands-on experience. I faced rejection after rejection. Most job postings required several years of experience, even for entry-level roles, and without a strong portfolio or industry connections, I struggled to get my foot in the door.
That’s when I decided to enroll in a coding bootcamp to bridge the gap.
Revature: The Coding Bootcamp That Changed My Software Engineer Journey
I joined Revature, a coding bootcamp designed to provide hands-on experience with real-world technologies. Unlike my university classes, which were more theoretical, Revature’s approach was fast-paced, immersive, and directly aligned with what employers were looking for in a software engineer.
At Revature, I met other aspiring software engineers, many of whom were in the same boat—struggling to land a job despite having a degree. The coding bootcamp pushed us hard, condensing months of learning into an accelerated program. We didn’t just study programming concepts; we built projects, collaborated in teams, and learned how to work in an actual software development environment.
During the bootcamp, I gained experience with industry-standard technologies that were in high demand at the time, including:
- Spring Framework – Learning how to build scalable, enterprise-level applications using Spring Boot.
- Angular – Developing front-end applications with one of the most popular JavaScript frameworks.
- Hibernate – Understanding how to interact with databases using an ORM framework.
- Web Services (SOAP & REST) – Learning how APIs function and how applications communicate over the web.
Revature gave me exactly what I needed—real-world skills, hands-on experience, and a strong network of friends and mentors who were all working toward the same goal. It was the structured, fast-tracked learning experience that finally pushed me over the edge into a professional software engineering career.
Freelancing as an Alternative Pathway to Software Engineering
While Revature worked for me, I know it’s not the only way to break into software engineering. Another powerful option is freelancing.
Freelancing allows you to build real-world experience on your own terms. Many new software engineers struggle to find jobs because they lack professional experience—freelancing solves that problem by giving you hands-on work that you can showcase to potential employers. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer offer opportunities to work on real projects, build a portfolio, and make money while learning.
Some of the benefits of freelancing include:
- Flexibility – Work on projects at your own pace and schedule.
- Portfolio Building – Show real-world applications of your skills to potential employers.
- Income Generation – Even small projects can help supplement your income while you learn.
- Exposure to Real Clients – Learn how to communicate with non-technical clients, a critical skill in software development.
If coding bootcamps aren’t your thing, or if you want to supplement your learning, freelancing is an excellent way to gain practical experience and make yourself more employable as a software engineer.
Landing My First Software Engineering Role in Michigan
After completing the bootcamp, I dove back into the job hunt. This time, things were different. My resume wasn’t just a degree anymore—it showcased the tangible skills, hands-on project experience, and the technologies I had worked with at Revature, including Spring, Angular, Hibernate, and web services. Armed with this real-world knowledge, I was ready to prove myself.
Eventually, my persistence paid off, and I landed my first software engineering role with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) in Michigan. The transition from struggling to get interviews to actually landing a full-time role was a major turning point in my life. That moment was truly life-changing. I had secured a career in software development that offered stability, growth, and the work-life balance I had been yearning for.
After a year with HPE, I transitioned to Perspecta, a subsidiary of HPE, where I continued to grow professionally and further refine my technical skills. The move was seamless and opened even more doors for advancement. Then, after a couple of years in Michigan, I made another major change—this time, a personal one. I returned to Florida and transitioned into a remote role, allowing me to spend even more time with my family while continuing my software engineering career.
This shift not only provided a better balance between work and life but also solidified my belief that the software engineering journey was one of the best decisions I ever made.
A New Perspective and a Better Life
Switching to software engineering didn’t just change my career—it changed my entire outlook on life.
For the first time in years, I had control over my time. The long, physically exhausting restaurant shifts were replaced with flexible work schedules, allowing me to spend more quality time with my daughter. I no longer had to choose between providing for her and being present in her life—I could do both.
Beyond the personal benefits, becoming a software engineer also changed the way I think. In the restaurant industry, you react to problems as they arise. You anticipate them, break them down logically, and create long-term solutions. It’s a completely different mindset, and it has reshaped the way I approach challenges in all areas of life.
Another unexpected joy has been teaching others. Whether it’s helping colleagues, mentoring aspiring developers, or simply encouraging friends to explore tech, I’ve found immense satisfaction in sharing the knowledge I’ve gained. I know how overwhelming it can feel to break into this field, and if my story can help someone else take that first step, then it’s all worth it.
Final Thoughts on My Software Engineer Journey
Looking back, the journey wasn’t easy. There were moments of doubt, exhaustion, and frustration. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the skills you develop in a high-pressure job like restaurant work—grit, adaptability, problem-solving—can carry over into any field.
For anyone feeling stuck in a job that’s draining them, wondering if it’s too late to make a change—know that it’s possible. Whether through a coding bootcamp like Revature, freelancing, or self-teaching, there are multiple ways to break into software engineering.
It takes time, effort, and a willingness to start from scratch, but the payoff is worth it. If you’re thinking about making the leap into software engineering, take that first step—you won’t regret it.