Chapter 4 - The Awakening

During my tenure at Freeman’s Little New York, amidst the hustle and bustle of the kitchen and the aroma of savory dishes, a subtle but persistent curiosity about technology began to stir within me. It was a gradual realization, sparked by conversations with tech-savvy patrons and colleagues who shared their enthusiasm for the digital world.

Uncertain about where this newfound interest would lead, I decided to explore it further. With the flexibility of online courses on platforms like Udemy, I delved into web development and enrolled in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate program. The initial days were daunting concepts like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript seemed like a foreign language, and cybersecurity protocols felt like navigating a maze.

However, with each line of code written and each module completed, I began to unravel the complexities of the internet and cybersecurity. It was like peering behind the curtain of the digital realm, understanding how websites are built and secured. The more I learned, the more captivated I became. What began as a vague interest soon blossomed into a passion as I realized the potential to create, innovate, and protect in the digital landscape.

The journey was not without its challenges. There were moments of frustration and confusion, but these were outweighed by the exhilaration of mastering new skills and concepts. Collaborating with online communities and seeking guidance from mentors, I navigated through the intricacies of coding languages and the intricacies of cybersecurity measures.

As my understanding deepened, I found parallels between my culinary background and computer science. Both required attention to detail, a blend of creativity and precision, and a dedication to continuous learning. Just as I once crafted dishes to delight diners at Freeman’s, I now crafted code and implemented cybersecurity strategies to protect digital environments.

Reflecting on this transformative period, I realized that my passion for computer science stemmed from a desire to understand and contribute to the technological advancements shaping our world. The more I immersed myself, the more I appreciated the vast potential for innovation and problem-solving in this field.