Hi, I’m Oli 👋—that’s what my friends call me. 

I’m a senior software engineer at a leading tech company, but my path to this point has been anything but straightforward. Eight years ago, my career had nothing to do with coding; I was an automotive engineer, a field I quickly realized wasn’t for me. Faced with this realization, I decided on a career that seemed worlds away: software engineering. 

At that point, I barely knew how to power up a computer.

Starting from scratch, I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of resources available. It felt like being thrown in the middle of the ocean and told to catch fish without knowing how. The abundance of tutorials led me into the infamous “tutorial hell,” where progress felt elusive. It wasn’t until I adopted a focused approach that I began to make real strides, securing my first job as a .NET Developer after about a year.

The transition from tutorials to the workplace starkly exposed the gaps in my self-taught education, a realization that was humbling. I struggled. 

 

The journey didn’t stop there because my girlfriend (now my wife) started taking an interest in programming, so I took on the role of teacher for the first time. This experience was eye-opening—it led me to develop a methodical approach to learning programming that sidestepped the pitfalls I had encountered. Her success in landing a job in programming much faster than I had was a testament to the effectiveness of a guided learning path.

Eventually, I decided to move from the backend to the front end—a realm where creativity meets complexity. This transition wasn’t just a career shift; it was a reinvention, a theme that has defined my journey in tech. Eventually, after gathering more experience and wearing many hats, including those of a Tech Lead and Agile Lead, I specialized in mentoring struggling developers, particularly self-taught ones. It’s here where I do my most fulfilling work.

Recognizing the unique challenges they face, I created a comprehensive, step-by-step system designed to transform struggling developers into confident, successful professionals. This system is built on the understanding that while the basics of programming can be taught, the real learning happens on the job, through doing and solving real-world problems.

It’s a myth that tutorials alone can prepare you for a career in software engineering, highlighted by the fact that 95% of self-taught developers fail. True preparedness involves understanding how to work within a team, navigate company dynamics, solve problems creatively, and persist through frustration. These are the skills that matter, and these are the skills I aim to teach.

The world is digital, and the demand for skilled developers has never been higher. Yet, there’s a gap between being technically proficient and being ready to thrive in a professional setting. My goal is to bridge that gap. Through our tutorials and blog posts, I want to equip you not just with programming knowledge, but with the ability to excel in a tech career.

Becoming a programmer is a journey filled with challenges, but it’s also immensely rewarding.
I know the road is hard, so I don’t promise instant success—because there’s no such thing. What I offer is a roadmap to becoming not just a programmer, but a well-rounded software engineer equipped to tackle any challenge and seize any opportunity.

 

I’ve done it many times, and I believe you can do it too!