Most of you have probably heard the phrase "Better late than never", but have you ever given much thought to what it truly means? For me, it became a mantra that has guided my journey from overwhelming uncertainty to finding my passion in software engineering.

As a high school student, I thought everyone had everything figured out.. except me. I thought my coaches, teachers, parents, and classmates all knew something I didn't. I, like many others, was just going through the motions of life with no clear vision of my future. The pressure to choose a college major loomed over me, and even though I had no idea what I wanted to do, I set my sights on Cal Poly. I was drawn in by its prestigious reputation, and it seemed like the right choice. I finally felt some comfort in having a smidge of an idea of what I wanted to do next.

Junior year rolled around, and that comfort quickly dissipated as reality set in. Application season was upon us, and I faced what I thought would dictate my entire future: declaring my major. It was a daunting decision to make at a time in my life when other people were still making some of my decisions for me. The feeling of uncertainty and pressure to make the perfect decision weighed on me. With no clear passion in mind, I settled on choosing Physics as my major. I enjoyed and excelled in math and science, and it seemed to make sense.

Fast forward to the beginning of my college years, and the reality set in. It didn't take long before I realized this path wasn't for me. I was in a major that I wanted out of, but still had no idea what I wanted to do instead. I battled with this for a couple of years before finally switching to business, where I felt my degree would be more versatile.

Graduation day finally arrived, and while I had a degree in hand, I was still battling the feeling of uncertainty about my future. I felt lost. I had spent the last four years of my life pursuing furthering my education out of obligation rather than passion and had zero clarity on what would be next. Not only that, but I also realized I had spent all this time studying to pass rather than studying to learn, and the college experience had left me with little retained information or knowledge.

In an attempt to dip my toes into the professional world, I started looking for a job. I found myself drawn to sales as it provided a somewhat similar feeling to working in a restaurant, which I had done for a few years while in school. I enjoyed the immediate gratification of closing deals and the fast-paced environment.

Unfortunately, that environment had its downfalls and it wasn't long before I was burnt out. Despite excelling in sales, I couldn't ignore the effect it had on my mental and emotional health. I knew I couldn't put a price on my happiness, and staying in that environment would only continue to damage my well-being. I felt I was back at square one, lost and overwhelmed.

I stayed and suffered longer than I should have, fearing the unknown of changing careers and feeling I had failed in some way. Then, I thought to myself, "Better late than never". I had to embrace the change, even if it was uncomfortable at first, and the sooner I did the better. I knew if I stayed in sales I would only be dragging out my deterioration. The discomfort of the change would be better than remaining where I was. If I waited even another year to make a change, I knew I would only look back and realize had I changed sooner I would already be in a different position closer to my goal.

I finally decided to confront my fears and applied to a coding bootcamp. Was I scared? Maybe even a little terrified? Yes! But despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, I, for the first time in my life, had a sense of purpose and determination to create a path that aligned with my passions. While I am still just beginning my new journey into the tech world, I have never been more excited about where I'm headed even though I don't know exactly what that looks like.

I want to disclose that even after embarking on this journey of learning new skills and pursuing my passion in software engineering, I am not immune to those feelings of uncertainty and the fear of the unknown. In fact, I face them often. That being said, what I've come to realize is that you can only fear the unknown as long as it stays unknown. Every day I'm making steps toward finding my footing in this new industry, and every day I know a little bit more about something I knew nothing about not long ago.

As I've reflected on my journey, I've come to understand what I find is the true meaning of the phrase "Better late than never". For me, it's a constant reminder that while my path may not always have a clear direction or unfold as planned, it's never too late to pursue happiness and fulfillment. It helps push me when I find myself wanting something more or better, but am afraid of the change.

When those waves of doubt and indecision crash over me, I find solace in the phrase "Better late than never". It serves as a gentle reminder that it's never too late to seize the moment and take action toward my goals. Instead of allowing the unknown to paralyze me, I use it to help move forward and peel back the curtain of uncertainty.

To anyone out there facing a similar crossroads in life and you're feeling lost or unsure... I get it. I've been there, and sometimes I'm still there. But what I've learned is that it's okay to not have all the answers. Life is messy, and figuring it all out isn't going to happen in a straight shot. It's more like a rollercoaster ride with twists and turns you never saw coming. But amidst the chaos, there's beauty in the uncertainty and knowledge to be gained in the unknown.

So, embrace the uncertainty. Embrace the unknown. It's in those moments that we find our true selves and discover what truly lights us up inside. And don't forget, it's never too late to chase your dreams, pursue your passions, and find fulfillment in the journey. After all, "better late than never", right?