The Spark That Started Everything
At 35, I never thought software development was an option for me. Traditional coding bootcamps? Too rigid. Computer science degree? Too late. But one day, scrolling through my Google feed, I stumbled across an article about something called "Vibe Coding" - using AI tools to learn programming in a completely different way.
Curiosity got the better of me. What did I have to lose?
The Game-Changing Video
While exploring Vibe Coding, I discovered this incredible video by Rick Mulready: [9 Mind-Blowing Use Cases of Perplexity Labs]
(https://youtu.be/9u9jAIl80ac?si=W4TI7eBlhhD0dZO0).
Among the various use cases he demonstrated, one particularly caught my attention - using Perplexity Labs to get a comprehensive personality analysis that goes way beyond those basic online quizzes.
I thought, "Why not?" and followed along.
The Revelation: Understanding My "Laziness"
The personality analysis hit me like a lightning bolt. For years, I'd labeled myself as "lazy" because I couldn't stick to one type of work continuously. I'd jump from project to project, lose interest in things that once excited me, and felt like something was fundamentally wrong with my work ethic.
The analysis revealed I'm an ENTP (The Innovative Problem Solver) with these key traits:
Intellectual Strengths:
- Exceptional curiosity and openness to new experiences
- Strong logical reasoning and analytical thinking
- Natural pattern recognition and ability to see connections others miss
- Innovative problem-solving that combines logic with creativity
- Quick learning ability, especially through trial and error
The Breakthrough Insight:
I wasn't lazy - I was wired for variety! My brain thrives on:
- Multiple projects simultaneously
- Novel approaches to problem-solving
- Intellectual challenges that require creativity
- Learning through hands-on experimentation
Suddenly, everything made sense.
From Analysis to Action Plan
Energized by this self-discovery, I used Perplexity Labs again - this time to create a personalized career development plan. The AI analyzed my ENTP personality and crafted a 24-month software development roadmap that actually works with my natural tendencies instead of against them.
The plan included:
- Weekly 24-hour learning commitment (manageable for my lifestyle)
- Project variety to maintain interest
- AI-assisted learning through tools like Cursor and Claude
- Focus on building while learning, not just studying theory
Week One Results: The Portfolio Website
The spark I felt was incredible. It made me hungry for more and more and MORE.
Instead of starting with endless tutorials, I dove straight into building. Using Cursor (an AI-powered IDE), Replit and guidance from Claude, I created my first portfolio website in just one week.
What I learned:
- HTML fundamentals through building, not reading
- CSS styling with AI assistance
- How to deploy a live website
- Git basics for version control
- Most importantly: I CAN actually do this!
The Power of AI-Assisted Learning
Traditional coding education tells you to master theory first, then build. But my ENTP brain works differently - I learn best through:
- Hands-on experimentation - Start building immediately
- AI pair programming - Tools like Cursor and Claude explain concepts as I encounter them
- Pattern recognition - Seeing how code structures connect across different projects
- Immediate feedback loops - Deploy early, iterate quickly
What's Next?
This is just the beginning of my journey. My roadmap has me building increasingly complex projects over the next 24 months, from simple web apps to full-stack applications.
But more importantly, I've discovered that career change at 35 isn't just possible - it can be the perfect time when you finally understand how your brain actually works.
For Fellow Career Changers
If you're considering a career change but traditional learning paths feel overwhelming or boring, consider this:
- Understand your personality first - Use AI tools to get real insights about how you learn best
- Embrace AI-assisted learning - Don't let anyone shame you for using modern tools
- Start building immediately - Theory can come later
- Work with your nature, not against it - Your "quirks" might be your superpowers
The future of learning is here, and it's personalized, AI-powered, and incredibly exciting.
This post was created with assistance from Claude Projects, which helped structure my thoughts and experiences into this narrative. This is my first dev.to post and the start of documenting my journey from zero to software developer. Follow along as I share the ups, downs, and everything I learn using AI-powered development tools!
What's your experience with AI-assisted learning? Drop a comment below - I'd love to connect with fellow learners and career changers!
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