“Anything but computers.” That’s what I told the career advisor I went to when I was at a loss about my career path. I couldn’t have been clearer: I wanted nothing to do with hi-tech. For years, I was firmly convinced that a tech career wasn’t for me. I had all kinds of ideas about what it would be like, ideas that, as I’ve since learned, were completely wrong.
Today, as a DevOps engineer for the past 2 years, I can’t help but look back and laugh at how much I resisted even considering a hi-tech career.
My journey has taught me that our assumptions about work can sometimes hold us back from finding the right path. In this article, I want to share the misconceptions that once kept me away from hi-tech, and how my experiences have proven them wrong.
Computers are for nerds
Growing up, I saw computers and hi-tech careers as something for “nerds”. To me, a developer was someone without social skills, sitting alone in a dark room, glued to his computer for days. I imagined the work as monotonous and purely technical, algorithmic tasks with no room for creativity or vision. I wanted nothing to do with it. That was the main reason why when I met with the career advisor to discuss my career options, the first thing I said was, “Anything but computers.”
Creativity is the foundation of every successful project in tech
The reality couldn’t be further from what I imagined. Creativity, I’ve learned, is the foundation of every successful project in tech. Whether it’s coming up with innovative ideas, architecting solutions, or solving problems, there’s no straightforward path in this field. Every project brings a chance to research new technologies, weigh best practices, and craft solutions tailored to the specific needs of a team or organization.
What also surprised me is how crucial social skills are in this field. I experienced this firsthand when working with a QA and automation team that was struggling with their testing system. I noticed their dissatisfaction and set up individual meetings to truly understand their frustrations and needs. Listening carefully, I mapped out their pain points and considered how to address them. Rather than pushing a “best practice” tool, I focused on finding the best fit for their specific challenges. Together, we implemented a solution that made their workflows smoother and more efficient. The gratitude and relief they expressed were incredibly rewarding and highlighted the importance of listening and collaboration in my role.
In DevOps, it’s not just about introducing new technologies; it’s about helping people adapt to changes with respect and cooperation. At the end of the day, the smiles and gratitude of the people I work with are what make this career so fulfilling. Far from the antisocial stereotype I once believed, being a DevOps engineer is deeply people-oriented and creatively challenging.
It’s a prison of gold
For a long time, I believed that hi-tech was a “prison of gold”, a soulless world where people worked only for the paycheck, sacrificing meaning and fulfillment in the process. Growing up, I absorbed the idea that money couldn’t buy happiness, and that chasing wealth was a recipe for an empty, meaningless life. I prided myself on wanting something more noble, a job where I could make a difference, even if the pay wasn’t great. To me, hi-tech seemed like the opposite of that ideal.
While I still believe that work should feel meaningful, I’m no longer afraid to admit that making money is one of my goals. I’ve come to recognize the role money plays in enabling me to live the life I want. Money is never the goal, but a means to get what it represents for me, which is different for each individual. For me, money represents freedom, security, and peace of mind, which are essential for my well-being and happiness in life. Hi-tech careers, like DevOps, have given me the opportunity to align my financial goals with my personal ones, allowing me to prioritize both meaning and quality of life.
I’ve found a career that balances purpose and reward
At the same time, I’ve learned that in any job, no matter how meaningful, it’s essential to feel rewarded for the value you provide. Early in my career, I worked in a field I loved deeply. I gave everything I had to my work: dedication, time, and energy. But over time, it became harder to stay motivated when the financial reward didn’t reflect the effort I put in. I realized that to remain fulfilled and give your best over the years, you need to feel that your contributions are acknowledged and rewarded in a way that feels fair.
This isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the connection between effort and reward. If you work hard and provide more value, you should feel that it’s recognized and reflected in what you get back. Without that, even the most meaningful job can become draining, leaving you unfulfilled in the long run. For me, finding a career that balances purpose and rewards has been the key to sustaining my passion and motivation.
Do what you love
When I imagined my future career, I focused entirely on finding my profession. I believed the key to happiness at work was to choose a profession that matched my personality, interests, and strengths. It seemed logical: find a profession you love, and everything else will fall into place.
But I didn’t consider the “surroundings” of the job, the things beyond the job description that profoundly affect your day-to-day life. For instance, my first job fit my skills and interests perfectly, but it came with a rigid schedule. I had to be physically at work at a precise time each morning, down to the minute, with no room for flexibility. Despite loving the actual work, this strict requirement clashed with my need for a more adaptable lifestyle.
Today, I see things differently. It’s not just the profession that matters; it’s the whole ecosystem of the job. Sometimes, the environment, flexibility, and work conditions can have a bigger impact on your happiness and quality of life than the content of the work itself.
Let me give you an example. At one point, I considered turning one of my hobbies into a career because it perfectly matched my interests and strengths. But in that profession, I constantly had to meet and work with new people, which I found stressful. Over time, I realized I thrive in environments where I can build long-term relationships with colleagues, where I walk into the office and know the people I’ll interact with today. That sense of familiarity and connection makes a huge difference in how fulfilled I feel at work.
Hi-tech, and specifically DevOps, has given me that flexibility and consistency. I can work remotely when needed, manage my own schedule, and maintain a level of control over my workday that wasn’t possible in previous jobs. For me, this flexibility has added significantly to my quality of life, even more than the content of the job itself.
So, if you’re thinking about your career, I encourage you to consider not just the profession, but the “surroundings.” You might have the talent to be a great doctor, but will you be happy working night shifts? Or you could have the personality of a fantastic teacher, but will you thrive in a rigid, bell-driven schedule? Sometimes, the benefits of flexibility, remote work, and work-life balance that come with high-tech roles can outweigh the appeal of jobs that seem more personally interesting.
The path you never considered might just be the one that fits you best
Looking back, I’ve realized that the things we think we know about specific careers can often be the most significant barriers to exploring them. Whether it’s hi-tech or any other field, the key to finding the right job isn’t just about the profession; it’s about understanding yourself and what truly makes you happy.
If you’ve ever doubted whether a hi-tech career is for you, I hope this article has reassured you that it’s worth a second look. And even more broadly, I hope this read has encouraged you to think differently about how you approach your career choices. Sometimes, the path you never considered might just be the one that fits you best.
