Why Now is the Best Time to Begin Your Tech Career

Ten years ago, the tech world was exciting, but still felt like something only those with hefty tech setup could get into.. AI was still mostly in research labs, smartphones were powerful but not yet the creative factories they are today, and cloud computing was only starting to become mainstream. Fast forward to today, you literally have AI in your pocket, tools that can generate code, design apps, and even write content in seconds. You can learn an entire programming language on YouTube while commuting, and collaborate with a global team from your bedroom.

What does the future hold for tech? We’re heading into an age where AI-driven automation, virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) workspaces, and even quantum computing will be part of everyday workflows. The demand for people who can build, adapt, and innovate will only grow, and the best part is, you don’t need a computer science degree or years of formal training to be part of it. You just have to start. Passionate people are already building scalable projects with just their phones. The only thing standing between you and your tech journey is the first step.

Why Getting Into Tech Has Never Been Easier

Just a while back, getting started in tech meant you needed a good computer, some expensive software, and sometimes even physical servers just to run your projects. Today, the entry barrier has collapsed. You can literally start coding, testing, and deploying projects from your phone. Mobile apps now let you write and preview code instantly, whether it’s Python, JavaScript, or even mobile-friendly frameworks. There are also apps that simulate full server environments on your device, meaning you can spin up and run PHP websites, databases, or backend APIs without ever touching a traditional server setup.

Then there’s AI, your pocket mentor, problem-solver, and brainstorming partner all in one. Tasks that once took weeks can now be built in days or even hours. You don’t have to wait to “get the right setup” or “take the perfect course” before starting. The tools are in your pocket, the knowledge is online, and the only real requirement left is your determination.

My Journey Into Tech: From Curiosity to Code

I didn’t step into tech with a fancy degree or a high-end laptop. In fact, the spark came early, back when I was a kid watching Game Shakers on Nickelodeon, a show about kids building their own game and having lots of fun while doing it. The best part was that they were making allot of money too. That planted a seed in me: What if I could create my own game too?

With no roadmap and zero formal background, I dove in fueled purely by curiosity and passion. My “classroom” was a mix of YouTube tutorials, W3Schools, freeCodeCamp, Simplilearn, Udemy’s free courses, and later, ChatGPT, which became my go-to for breaking down tricky concepts, learning new things, brainstorming ideas and finding simpler ways to debug full-stack projects.

The early days weren’t glamorous. I faced issues with the poor power system in my environment, expensive internet, and an old, modest setup. No mentors, no paid resources, just me, my will, passion, curiosity, and the drive to figure things out. Still, the wins started coming:

• My first small project:  an HTML, CSS, and jQuery portfolio hosted on GitHub.
• My first Python script: a number guessing game I proudly shared with classmates. It became an instant hit, with everyone hooked on guessing and getting those “a little higher” or “a little lower” hints.
• My first complete personal project: a static restaurant site template built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

These milestones taught me something powerful: If I can do it with sheer passion, and free tools, you can too. The tech world isn’t reserved for the privileged, it’s open to anyone willing to show up and learn.

Choosing Your Path

One of the most common messages I hear is: “Teach me how to code.” But here’s the truth, coding is just a tool. What really matters is what you want to build with it. Once you know that, you can choose a path that aligns with your interests, strengths, and long-term goals.

The table below provides a quick breakdown of popular tech fields, what they involve, and where they’re headed:

💡 Tip: Don’t feel pressured to pick a path immediately. Experiment. Make research on or try building a small website, a basic mobile app, or a simple AI model. See what excites you most.

Once you find the path that excites you, learning will stop feeling like “work” and start feeling like “building your future.”

Beginner Learning Paths for Popular Languages & Frameworks

If tech is a vast city, programming languages are the vehicles that help you get around. The key is to pick one that takes you in the direction you want to go, then master driving it before upgrading to a faster ride.

Here’s how you can start today and scale into a pro tomorrow:

Python 🐍

Why It’s Great: Beginner-friendly syntax, massive community, and powerful across multiple domains.

My original Number guessing game code:

import random

def play_number_guessing_game():
    number = random.randint(1, 100)
    max_trials = 5
    print("Guess a number between 1 and 100.\nYou have 5 trials.")
    
    for trial in range(max_trials, 0, -1):
        guess = int(input(f"Trial {trial}: "))
        
        if guess > number:
            print("Guess a little lower.")
        elif guess < number:
            print("Guess a little higher.")
        else:
            print("You guessed correctly!")
            return
        
    print("Game over!\nYou've exhausted the number of guesses...")
    print(f"The answer was {number}")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    play_number_guessing_game()

Java ☕

Why It’s Great: Enterprise-level reliability and the backbone of Android apps.

JavaScript ⚡

Why It’s Great: Runs in every browser and powers both frontend and backend apps.

C/C++ 🖥️

Why It’s Great: Blazing-fast performance and control over hardware.

Others Worth Exploring 🛠️

💡 Don’t try to learn everything at once. Master one language well, then branch out as your projects demand new tools.

Beyond Jobs & Freelancing

Many people think learning to code only leads to two paths: landing a remote job or freelancing online. While those are great options, they’re far from the only ways to build a sustainable and rewarding career in tech. In fact, some of the most exciting opportunities today go beyond client work. Here are a few to consider, some of which I am actively exploring today:

1. Build a Startup 🚀

If you’ve ever had a big idea you couldn’t stop thinking about, this is your chance to turn it into reality. Startups let you create something that solves a problem, scales globally, and potentially changes your life. With today’s AI tools, you can launch a functional product in weeks instead of years.
📌 Check out my post: “AI Stack for Solo Developers: Build an Entire Startup with These Tools” for a step-by-step approach.

2. Create a SaaS Product 💳

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products can be game-changers. You build a tool once, host it online, and people subscribe to use it every month or year. This is a good way of creating recurring income while you sleep. Think of tools like Trello, Grammarly, or Notion. Even niche products can make serious money if they solve a real and specific problem.

Check out my post: "SaaS It Up: How Devs Can Build, Launch & Earn from Their Own Software Products"

3. Sell Digital Products & Tools 📂

If you’re not ready for the commitment of a startup or SaaS, digital products are a great way to earn on the side. This could be:

• Website templates and themes
• WordPress plugins
• Code snippets and scripts
• UI kits for designers

They’re easy to distribute globally and require no shipping because your customers download instantly.

4. Become a Content Creator 🎥

Teaching others what you know can be just as profitable as building apps. You could:

• Write tech blog posts and monetize with ads
• Launch a YouTube channel with tutorials
• Create and sell online courses
• Stream live coding sessions

Not only does this create income, but it also builds your personal brand and online authority in the industry.

5. Contribute to Open Source 🌍

It might not sound profitable at first, but contributing to open-source projects is one of the fastest ways to:

• Improve your coding skills
• Build a strong developer portfolio
• Network with talented engineers
• Attract job or project offers

Many open-source contributors have been approached by companies because of the value they’ve added to public projects.

6. Build & Sell AI-powered Tools 🤖

AI is exploding right now, and people are hungry for solutions that save time or make tasks easier. You could build a chatbot for small businesses, an AI-powered resume generator, or a niche image-editing tool. The beauty of AI tools is that they can often be built quickly using APIs and integrated into web or mobile apps.

💡 Bottom line: Your tech skills are a toolkit, you can use them to earn in more ways than you might think. Don’t limit yourself to just chasing jobs.

Every skill you pick up today will pay you back many times over in the future. Tech rewards those who take action, experiment, and keep building, not those who wait for the “perfect time” or the "perfect job." You don’t need permission, a degree, or the perfect setup to start. You just need to start.

📩 Your future self will thank you for starting today. Subscribe to our Kumotechs Newsletter for free tips, resources, and inspiration to fuel your tech journey.