Growing up, I was the kid who never stopped asking questions. How does the internet work? How are computers made? How does a website know who I am? My parents and teachers did their best, but eventually the questions got too complex — or maybe just too annoying — and I had to start finding the answers myself.
That curiosity is what introduced me to the world of information technology and computer science. And I believe that same curiosity — if you nurture it — can lead you straight to your passion too.
It Started With a Simple Question
I was fascinated with how easily endless amounts of information could be accessed online with just a few clicks of a mouse. Think about that for a second — the entire history of human knowledge, accessible from your bedroom. That blew my mind as a kid, and honestly, it still does.
When my questions outgrew what anyone around me could answer, I turned to YouTube and the internet itself. I started teaching myself to code — basic HTML, CSS, simple programs. I wasn't great at it. But I was hooked.
The Class That Changed Everything
My passion didn't fully blossom until freshman year of high school, when I took an Introduction to Programming course. That class introduced me to loops, functions, and conditional statements. From creating simple calculator programs to building my own game, I started seeing just how diverse and powerful technology really is.
"After facing initial challenges and struggles, I grew to enjoy every second of it and knew I wanted to study it even further."
That's the thing about passion — it doesn't always feel comfortable at first. Sometimes it feels hard and frustrating. But if you keep coming back to something even when it's difficult, that's a sign you've found something real.
Technology's Ability to Evolve Is What Hooked Me
Twenty years ago, who would have guessed that cars would become almost fully autonomous or that artificial intelligence would be central to how we live and work? Technology's ability to evolve in the blink of an eye is why it will always have a special place in my heart.
But here's what really got me: the most interesting thing about technology isn't the tech itself — it's the people and causes it impacts. Biotech companies creating cancer treatments. EV companies reducing our carbon footprint. Apps connecting mentors to first-gen students. That's where I want to be.
How to Find YOUR Passion
If you're still looking for yours, here's what worked for me:
- Follow your questions. What do you find yourself Googling at 11pm? That's a clue.
- Take the class that scares you a little. My programming class was hard. That difficulty is what told me it mattered.
- Don't wait to be "good" at it. You don't need to be skilled at something to be passionate about it. Skill comes later.
- Think about impact. The best careers sit at the intersection of what you love and who you can help.
Whatever your version of that curious kid asking how the internet works is — honor it. It's trying to show you something.