From Biology Teacher to Game Developer

My journey into software engineering started in a pretty unexpected place: as a part-time biology teacher. Back then, I didn’t have much—no fancy laptop, no mentor, and definitely no formal training in coding. But what I did have was a lot of determination and a dream to create something new.

It all began with a beat-up old computer I bought from my father-in-law. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to get started. After teaching biology during the day, I’d spend my nights teaching myself to code. The internet became my classroom, and free online courses and YouTube tutorials were my teachers.

At first, it was tough. Learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript felt like trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces. I’d get stuck on simple things, like building a navigation bar, and wonder if I was cut out for this. But I didn’t give up. Instead, I changed my approach. Instead of just learning the basics, I started working on small projects. Suddenly, everything clicked. I could see how all the pieces fit together, and it was like a lightbulb went off in my head.

With my newfound confidence, I decided to take on a bigger challenge: game development. I saved up $18 (which felt like a fortune at the time) and bought Game Maker, a game development engine. Thanks to a lucky discount (from the original: $2,000), it was just within my budget.

For the next two weeks, I dove into Game Maker tutorials, learning everything I could. And then, I did it—I created my very first mobile game: Spaceship Racer. It was a simple game where you pilot a spaceship through space, dodging obstacles and collecting coins to upgrade your ship. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine.

The real moment of truth came when I uploaded it to the Google Play Store. I was nervous—what if no one liked it? But the response was amazing. Friends and strangers alike played the game, and their encouragement meant the world to me.

Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. That old computer, the late nights, the frustration—it all led to something incredible. My journey from biology teacher to game developer taught me that with enough passion and perseverance, you can achieve anything.

So, if you’re thinking about learning to code or chasing a dream that feels out of reach, take it from me: the hardest part is starting. Once you do, there’s no limit to what you can create.

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