My Journey Into Tech
There’s a video somewhere of me as a toddler, barely able to stand, jumping around with a PlayStation 2 controller in my tiny hands. I wasn’t even walking properly yet, but there I was, completely absorbed in the magic of interactive experiences. Looking back, that video captures something essential about who I am-I’ve been a tech nerd for as long as I can remember.
The Spark at Twelve
Building my first PC at 12 was when everything clicked. Not just the satisfying snap of RAM sliding into place or the nervous excitement of hitting the power button for the first time, but the realization of what I was holding: the power to create cool experiences.
I remember the first time I showed something I’d built to my friends. Their reaction-that genuine “oh, that’s so cool!”-was intoxicating. It wasn’t just about the technical achievement; it was about creating something that could make people feel wonder, excitement, or just plain joy.
Beyond the Classroom
Academics has been the bane of my existence, if I’m being honest. While I understand the importance of a degree and encourage everyone to pursue it, sitting in a classroom when I could be out there learning by doing has always felt like torture. I’m a hands-on learner, someone who needs to build, break, and rebuild to truly understand.
The traditional path never quite fit, but that’s okay. Some of us learn better with our hands dirty and our screens glowing at 2 AM.
The Magic of Making
What drives me isn’t just the technology-it’s the human connection. Whether it’s making landing pages for teachers who shaped my life, or building Fastrack with friends that put our names on the map in Pakistan, it’s always been about creating something that matters to people.
Recently, I built a chat analysis app where friends could upload their conversations and see their top emojis and words. Watching my friends’ reactions, seeing them share laughs and discover patterns in their own communication-those moments remind me why I fell in love with this field in the first place.
The Real Reward
At the end of the day, I love making stuff that makes people go “oh wow, this is amazing.” Simple, effective solutions that save time, spark joy, or just make someone’s day a little bit better. That’s the real magic of technology-not the code itself, but the human experiences it enables.
Every line of code, every late night debugging session, every “aha!” moment is worth it when you see that spark of delight in someone’s eyes. That’s what keeps the bonfire burning.
The journey continues, one build at a time.