Why I Really Got Into Tech (It's Not What You Think)

Lessons from pursuing passions and paychecks in my quest for work-life harmony

Sep 02, 2024

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The perfect life (on paper)

I had a secret that was slowly tearing me apart: I hated my job.

There I was, a 24-year-old living a seemingly charmed life in Chicago. By day, I worked as an advertising strategist at the prestigious agency, Leo Burnett. By night, I performed improv comedy at The Second City.

On paper, it was perfect, but inside, I was suffocating.

My generation was taught that our jobs should be our passion. Yet here I was, with a coveted position that only highlighted how far apart my work and passions really were.

The guilt of my unhappiness and the fear of being exposed as a fraud were my constant companions. That inner conflict was like a rock in my shoe, gradually rubbing me raw. I smiled on the surface, but underneath, I was desperate for more authentic alignment in my work and life.

It all came to a head one day in my boss's office. As she sat me down to discuss my recent slacking, I couldn't hold back anymore. Tears welled up in my eyes as I confessed: I didn’t want to do my job anymore. To her credit, she was as supportive as I could have hoped for.

Confronting the reality of what was next

Leaving her office, I took the elevator down to the lobby of our stately skyscraper in downtown Chicago. I walked to the nearby river park, feeling the weight of my secret lifting with each step. As I watched the tour boats pass by, the sun warming my face, I smiled. I didn't know where I was going next, but I felt lighter.

However, my newfound optimism quickly collided with reality. I still needed to make money. The classic route would have been to wait tables, but I couldn't stomach that idea. I wanted to pursue my passions and live comfortably. Was that too much to ask?

Maybe I could find another professional job that would be a better fit, I thought.

As I explored my options, one skill kept popping up: coding. On a whim, I created an account on Codecademy and started learning Ruby, HTML, and CSS. I wasn't sure how it would fit into my career yet, but it felt valuable.

Then came a pivotal moment. A job I'd applied for gave me a take-home assignment and as I sat down to do the work, a realization hit me: "I'd rather be coding right now."

The new path that went off course

In that instant, I committed to becoming a programmer. It seemed like the perfect solution - a skill I enjoyed that could earn good money. I imagined I'd have to put my creative pursuits on hold temporarily, but soon I'd have a solid job with the flexibility to pursue my passions. I envisioned freelancing part-time to pay the bills, leaving ample time for my creative endeavors.

It was a beautiful plan, but life had other ideas.

A decade flew by.

I became a developer, started my career in tech, shifted into design as I refined my interests, and climbed the corporate ladder.

Somewhere along the way, I lost sight of my original goal and the space for my creative pursuits never materialized.

Don't get me wrong - I'm grateful for what tech gave me. I built valuable skills, earned good money, and made lasting friendships. But looking back, I feel a pang of sadness. Despite my best intentions, I wasn't true to myself.

So why did I really get into tech? Not because it was my calling or because I dreamed of being the next big tech founder. I just wanted a better day job than waiting tables - one that could support a life filled with creativity, community, and financial stability.

Lessons from the journey

I'm sharing this because I want you to know it's okay for tech to just be a job. You don't need to pretend it's your life's passion. Forcing that idea while neglecting what truly energizes you is a recipe for unnecessary pain.

If your work aligns with your interests but doesn't set your soul on fire, that's still a win. The key is making space for the things that do light you up. Create freely without the pressure to monetize every passion. Rediscover the joy of hobbies done solely for pleasure.

Tech can open doors and provide stability, but don't let it become a gilded cage. Your job doesn't have to be your passion - it just needs to support the life that allows you to pursue what truly matters to you.

Remember that 24-year-old with a secret? He thought he had to choose between passion and stability. Now I know better. Trust me, your job doesn't define you—it enables you. So pursue that coding job, design career, or whatever path intrigues you, but never lose sight of what truly lights you up inside. Because at the end of the day, that's what makes life rich, regardless of your job title.

Until next time,

Patrick