Hacking my career.

In today's world, the demand for coding and software development is growing rapidly. There are many people who are interested in coding, but they don't have a formal education in technology. Despite that, they are able to succeed and become experts in their field. One such person is me, and my story of learning to code the hard way. And why am I succeeding even though I am not a developer? How can we make the link between a developer and a product person? Can we make a link?

Let me be clear; I am not a developer nor will I ever be one. I don't have the ambitions to be one same as trying to be one. I am learning by doing and failing most of the time. I am more the idea man. And like to help think about complex structures. I am not the best at anything but together with the people around we are the best at everything! I am as good as my team.

I didn't get a university degree in technology, and I never actually studied tech. Yet, I am succeeding faster than anyone else with a Master's degree. How did I manage to do that? The answer is simple: I invested all my time in it. I made sure to absorb every possible code example and spent time in code 24/7. This dedication and persistence are what sets me apart from others.

My deep understanding of both the product and tech worlds is also a key factor in my success. I am are often the link between these two worlds, and my knowledge of both is invaluable. This is why I am able to succeed where others may struggle.

One language that I have fallen in love with is TypeScript. TypeScript is a statically typed superset of JavaScript, which adds optional types to the language. It was developed by Microsoft, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years. TypeScript is easier to maintain and more scalable than JavaScript, which makes it a favorite among developers.

One of the main reasons I prefer TypeScript is because of its similarities to C#. TypeScript was heavily influenced by C#, and many of the concepts in C# can be found in TypeScript. This makes it easier for developers who are familiar with C# to pick up TypeScript. I got introduced to C# in a company I worked at and where many of the developers are still close friends of mine. They are the true masters of C# and have never seen so many intelligent people together in one room. I got forced to get a deeper understanding of C# simply because they all are so good with it. And they still are. Hopefully one day we can be in a room all together again and build amazing stuff.

Here is an example of how TypeScript and C# are similar:

// C# example
public class Person
{
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public int Age { get; set; }
}


// TypeScript example
interface Person {
    name: string;
    age: number;
}

As you can see, the syntax is very similar in both languages. This makes it easier for developers to switch between the two.

In addition to my dedication and deep understanding of both the product and tech worlds, my experience in hacking (WhiteHat) has also contributed to my success in coding. Hacking involves finding vulnerabilities in software systems and exploiting them to gain unauthorized access. It requires a deep understanding of how software systems work and the ability to think outside the box to find creative solutions.

Learning to hack requires a different approach to coding than traditional learning methods. In hacking, I am often faced with unique and complex problems that require creative thinking and problem-solving skills. This type of problem-solving is different from what you would typically find in a coding challenge, which can provide you with a more linear, straightforward problem to solve.

By learning to hack, I am able to develop skills and a mindset that allowed me to accelerate my learning of coding faster than others. The skills I developed through hacking, such as creative thinking, problem-solving, and attention to detail, are highly transferable to coding. The ability to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in software systems requires a deep understanding of how those systems work, which is also essential for coding. But can also be reflected in any product design. I will find the smallest compliance issue. Product people are most of the time focused on a different level. Not saying they are not good at their jobs. But I have learned in my experience I am most of the time, one step ahead of my product peers.

Additionally, the experience you gained in hacking has allowed me to understand the importance of security in software development. This is an essential skill in today's world, where cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly common.

Overall, my experience in hacking has given me a unique perspective on coding and product design that has allowed me to excel faster than others. It has allowed me to develop skills that are highly transferable to coding, and it has given me an understanding of the importance of security in software development.

In conclusion, my story is a testament to the fact that hard work and dedication can lead to success in any field, even without a formal education. My deep understanding of both the product and tech worlds, combined with my love for TypeScript, has made me a valuable asset to any team. Keep up the good work!

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=dirkmeij

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