I wanted to be an architect, but not being accepted into any architectural programs turned out to be a blessing. I love buildings and spaces, and I wanted to be part of the building process.

Becoming a programmer opened the world for me.

I was profoundly impacted by the idea that programming allows you to express huge possibilities, and I felt like I could build anything.

I started programming out of a desire for approval and acceptance, which stemmed from losing my father at a young age and feeling a longing for that figure in my life.

I have always been inclined towards coding, finding it enjoyable like solving puzzles and math problems.

In college, I wanted to create products that connected me with the community around me, which led to the realization that I needed to build software that others would use too.

I learned how to code out of necessity when my mother bought me a computer instead of a Nintendo, so I had to figure out how to use it and eventually create my own games.

I was always interested in startups and didn't like the idea of working for someone else; I wanted to create cool new inventions and make a lot of money.

If I were a software engineering graduate today, I'd focus on mastering AI coding platforms and then get a job to understand the industry better.