The Unintended Software Engineer

"Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans." This age-old adage resonates deeply with my journey. I am Mohit, an engineer whose path, like many others, has been filled with unexpected twists, aspirations, dreams, and the stark realities of life's unpredictability.

I was born into a hard-working middle-class family in the culturally vibrant regions of India. As a young boy, I lost myself in dreams, curiosities, and passions. Solving puzzles, listening to music, and Sherlock Holmes' mysteries were my sanctuary. The alleys of Baker Street didn't just entertain me; they equipped me with analytical thinking, attention to detail, and the invaluable skills of observation and deduction.

But of all my passions, one towered above the rest – cars. Every model, make, and variant fueled my dreams. The rev of an engine, the shimmer of fresh paint, and the smell of a new car ignited my heart. This profound love steered me towards Mechanical Engineering with hopes of crafting vehicular marvels someday.

However, fate had its designs. When the automobile industry eluded me, I found myself amidst the expansive world of software engineering – a realm I approached with palpable reluctance. Computers? They weren’t my allies. Coding? It felt alien. In fact, I routinely used to sidestep any opportunity to be at a computer terminal. Yet, purely out of coincidence, Destiny penned down "software engineer" as the title of my 1st professional chapter.

But as time unfurled, so did my adaptability. Sherlock’s methodologies began sculpting my approach to software. Code anomalies transformed into intriguing unsolved mysteries. Bugs morphed into concealed adversaries. Leveraging the powers of observation and deduction, I started unearthing solutions where most would see only problems. In blending my passion with my profession, the spark of problem-solving was reborn.

The sands of the time painted a surprising picture. My earlier aversion to computers began fading into the background. I started relishing the complexity in code, the seamless working of algorithms, much like the pieces of a puzzle coming together, and the gratification of architecting intricate and complex systems, working smoothly in tandem. The world of computers, which I once dreaded, morphed into a world full of puzzles I eagerly looked forward to decoding.

Yet, the symphony of revving engines continued echoing in my heart. Every new automobile launch still stirred my soul. Not merely content with admiration from a distance, I frequently found myself diving deep into online automobile forums and showrooms, with every 18 months marking the arrival of a new car in my garage. Coding might've been my profession, but automobiles? They were the feast for my soul.

Years went by, from leading teams to helming projects, to leading a large organization. While professional milestones were gratifying, the evolution from a computer skeptic to a tech aficionado was the real reward.

With every professional accolade, there also lingered a tinge of what-ifs. The lanes I might have traversed, had I been part of the automobile industry, often occupied my reflections. Each professional success, while heartening, was also a subtle nudge, reminding me of the automotive dreams that I didn’t pursue.

But that’s life! It is filled with its own quirks. Every time I sit behind the wheel of my newest car, for a fleeting moment, the software codes fade, the meetings blur, and it’s just me and the open road. The thrill of the drive, the hum of the engine - it’s a reminder that while life may have rerouted my professional journey, and while I may still hold regret for a path not followed, I was still able to reconfigure my journey by mixing it well with what I love – Problem-Solving, and Cars.

In hindsight, I've learned that life is not just about reaching destinations but also about appreciating the detours. And as I cruise through the highways of life, in my latest car, with a work presentation in the backseat, I can't help but smile at the unpredictability of it all. After all, isn't life's beauty in its unexpected turns?