Leave Me Behind
Key takeaways
- I was in college taking a Java programming class, when a classmate shared a free online course to learn Android development.
- When I completed the minimum requirements, I unplugged my phone from my laptop and went over to my parents to show them what I built.
- Immediately, I realized a sense of purpose in my work.
I was in college taking a Java programming class, when a classmate shared a free online course to learn Android development. The goal was short: build a todo list app with local storage.
When I completed the minimum requirements, I unplugged my phone from my laptop and went over to my parents to show them what I built. I often refer to this as my “lightbulb moment”. Here in my hands was a real, tangible piece of software that I built and could interact with. It wasn’t the first time I programmed something, but it was the first time I had an application on a device that I could carry over and show someone. The app lived in my pocket, always available when I needed it, to help me stay organized and productive.
Immediately, I realized a sense of purpose in my work. I was learning the skills necessary to give people direct access to a tool that can create a truly positive impact. I fully experienced this first hand in 2018 when I found myself working on the very dating app I would use to meet my wife.