As an IT sysadmin, I thrived on problem solving, learning and configuring new systems, and the hands-on work in a network or server room. But somewhere beneath the hardware, a different dream flickered: a passion for creation, for building systems, not just maintaining them. It was a dream resurfaced, pushed aside by the realities of finding a job, and paycheck.

Then, burnout hit. The relentless cycle of help-desk and infrastructure emergencies left me drained, needing something different. That's when the embers of that old dream flared back to life. I started small, online coding courses over the years, snippets of code learned but quickly forgotten. The fire wouldn't be extinguished, though. So, at 47, I took a daring leap, resigned my job, and enrolled in WGU's software engineering program.

It wasn't easy. I knew when I jumped I was going to have to work harder than I ever had before. Juggling studies with limited finances was a constant struggle. Yet, with every line of code written, every project completed, the joy grew. Today, as I begin to explore the depths of this new field, I'm no longer just an admin fixing problems; I'm a creator, building back-end systems, brick by digital brick.

This is my journey. I feel fortunate to have the experience of a senior but the passion of a fresh graduate. My long-term goal? To become a master architect, crafting complex systems with elegance and efficiency. But beyond that, I hope to inspire others, especially those considering a career change. Remember, it's never too late to pursue what makes you truly happy. So, listen to that inner voice. The journey might be tough, but the destination – self-fulfillment – is worth every line of code you write.