A Decade of Growth: Reflecting on 10 Years as a Web Developer

Chapter 1: The Beginning of a Journey

In 2014, I graduated with a degree in Computer Science and Engineering from CMS College of Engineering. Like many fresh graduates, I had no clear direction for my career. Seeking guidance, I enrolled in a .NET course at IPSR Solutions in Thrissur. Six months later, it became clear—.NET wasn’t the right fit for me.

However, there was a silver lining. My trainer recognized my potential in HTML and CSS. I started honing these skills by assisting other students with their final project code. While I was gaining confidence, it wasn’t enough to land a job. Despite my enthusiasm, I faced rejection after rejection.

Then, one day, my trainer mentioned an internship opportunity. I decided to apply, though not expecting much. The HR explained that it was for a UI Developer role. I had never heard of such a title, but the job description resonated with me. "It’s a developer who works with HTML, CSS, and a bit of JavaScript," she said. That was all I needed to hear.

The interview was grueling—an 8-hour machine test to convert a PSD to HTML/CSS. When asked to make the layout responsive, I had no idea what to do. A quick Google search led me to a meta tag that seemed like it would do the trick. Exhausted but hopeful, I submitted the test, and after waiting what felt like forever, I was told I had made it to the next round. On November 26, 2014, I started my career as a UI Developer at ISPG Technologies Pvt Ltd.

Chapter 2: Building the Foundation

The first six months at ISPG were intensive. I practiced relentlessly, gaining confidence in my HTML and CSS skills. But there was still a gap—I wasn’t fluent in JavaScript, and that made me feel insecure about my abilities.

Fortunately, most of the projects I worked on didn’t require extensive JavaScript knowledge, allowing me to focus on what I knew best. But I knew that sooner or later, I would need to confront this gap.

Chapter 3: Overcoming Challenges

After completing my training, I was placed on a real project, where my expertise in CSS became a valuable asset. However, when appraisal time came, I was blindsided. My performance didn’t reflect the growth I had experienced, and I felt undervalued. The frustration pushed me to work harder and learn more.

Chapter 4: Expanding Horizons

In 2016, I joined mStack Inc., a product-based startup that used Ember.js for development. This was my opportunity to build on my HTML, CSS, and JavaScript skills. Though I delivered successfully on tasks, JavaScript still didn’t feel intuitive. Despite this, I found myself enjoying product development and eagerly sought more challenges.

Determined to push myself further, I relocated to Bangalore—the heart of India’s tech scene. The journey wasn’t easy. I attended countless interviews, even falsely claiming I was already based in Bangalore on my resume.

Finally, I got a break. A message from a company’s CTO led to an interview process, and eventually, an offer that required me to move to Bangalore. It was the opportunity I had been waiting for.

Chapter 5: A New Chapter in Bangalore

At Treniq, a B2B product startup in Bangalore, I found myself immersed in a fast-paced environment. I became fluent in UI development for e-commerce applications, and my skills continued to evolve. However, as time went on, I began feeling undervalued once again. My desire for growth and recognition led me to consider other opportunities.

Chapter 6: The Corporate Gamble

I received multiple offers and chose to join Victoria’s Secret, drawn by the brand’s global recognition and the slightly better pay. The corporate world was a stark contrast to the startup environment. Layers of management, working with native English speakers, and the sheer scale of operations left me in awe.

When the pandemic hit, the challenges of work-life balance grew, but I pushed through. My JavaScript skills weren’t fully developed, but I contributed meaningfully to projects. Still, when it came time for career progression, I felt overlooked.

Chapter 7: A Moment of Reflection

During a conversation with my manager about career growth, I was met with indifference. Despite my efforts, it seemed that my contributions weren’t valued. This moment of frustration propelled me to focus even more on improving my JavaScript and React skills.

After months of hard work, an offer came through. However, things took an unexpected turn when a senior developer distorted my words to management. The damage was done, but by then, I had already made my decision to move on.

Chapter 8: Breaking Free

My next role was in a service-based corporate environment, but it felt like a factory—tasks were completed without any passion. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this wasn’t where I belonged. I decided to look for my next opportunity.

Chapter 9: Embracing New Challenges

The same CTO who had contacted me years earlier reached out with a new opportunity. This time, the role involved working with Angular and entering the finance domain. It was a steep learning curve, but I embraced the challenge.

Two years later, I had not only mastered Angular but also led multiple migrations and upgrades. This role was pivotal in my career, offering me the chance to apply my skills while expanding my expertise.

The Future: A New Beginning

Reflecting on this decade of growth, I’ve come to realize that every challenge and setback has been a stepping stone to where I am today. With each move, I’ve gained not just technical skills, but also a deeper understanding of the complexities of the tech industry and corporate dynamics.

The next chapter is still being written, and I look forward to the opportunities and challenges it will bring. To be continued…