My story with technology

The first contact

It all started when I was 9 years old and my parents decided to enroll me in informatics classes at a local computer store. I was the youngest, it didn't seem to make much sense, I should have been playing soccer or basketball. However, it was the best decision and I will be eternally grateful to my parents. The hours flew by. At that moment, I knew technology was going to be a part of my life. It was so, that shortly after, seeing how happy I came home, the first PC arrived.

Discovering the Internet

Back then, very few people had Internet at home. There were 56 kB modems, where you had to choose whether to talk or navigate (veterans will remember the noise when the phone was picked up), but they hadn't yet reached my town. However, soon a cybercafé opened downstairs where you could go and connect for a few minutes. I discovered Google, made my first searches, downloaded documents and exported HTML pages, all to move them to a floppy disk and then view them offline at home. Unforgettable times...

Operating systems and networks

Every year, my town held the Bekiparty. A few days where all technology lovers gathered and connected through a local network to share files and play video games. There were also technical talks on networks, operating systems, and development. There I met Bekix, a Linux distribution based on Knoppix developed by the organizers. Here I ventured into the fascinating world of Open Source. I ordered my first Ubuntu distro online (back then they sent you the CD at home, I still have a copy of Ubuntu 7.04), removed Windows and started diving into the fascinating world of installing NVIDIA graphics card drivers to get everything working correctly (Linux users back then will understand xD).

Time to decide what to study

Well, in my case it was very clear, no doubt about it. But, I didn't want to follow the 'official' path and wait 2 or 3 years to go to university. So, I opted for vocational training. Medium grade module in microcomputer systems and networks.

They say that once in a while you find passionate and vocational teachers. Well, yes, that was the case. I was lucky to meet @nicklaus_ and soak up all his wisdom, his passion for Open Source, and his entrepreneurial mindset. We set up a workshop in the afternoons to learn Arduino, won robotics competitions, started experimenting with development and Bash scripts; in short, we had a great time. Many thanks for everything, Pere, eternally grateful.

First professional experience

I did my internship at Wifibytes, a local wireless network installation company for both individuals and businesses. My job in the mornings was to configure and install wireless antennas (Microtik, Ubiquiti) and configure routers (mostly Cisco). In the afternoon, I started familiarizing myself with web development, managing servers, and administering Joomla and WordPress portals. My first contact with CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. After finishing the internship, the company hired me until I started the higher module: Multiplatform application development.

Starting strong with software development

I had already dabbled in development, writing Bash scripts, programming Arduinos, and doing some CSS, HTML, and JS fixes. However, it wasn't until this moment, in the course, that I got to know the world of software development in depth. I learned about databases, object-oriented programming, design patterns, APIs. Two years full of learning, many projects culminating in an internship at AndroidSX, with the Pera brothers (Ex-Pixable, CERN, Google, and founders of Reply.ai sold to Kustomer and later to Meta). I couldn't have been luckier, many thanks Lucas, the best colleague, no doubt. I learned a lot about algorithms and the importance of writing clean, quality code. We developed Helium Voice Changer, with over 1M downloads on Google Play. I learned to work collaboratively, greatly improved my code thanks to pull requests, and developed my first Open Source library available on Github.

First entrepreneurship

Together with Damián and Fernando, very good friends, we restored an old family garage and set up our 'offices'. We didn't have any magical ideas, but we were eager to learn and innovate. We spent a couple of years meeting every weekend and several projects came out.

• We developed an Android app for lead generation at trade shows. The salesperson could register customer data and it would automatically sync with the company's ERP. If there was no internet, the data was saved for later synchronization.
• We also developed a high-security chat application, encrypting all messages and establishing an SSH tunnel to our server, ensuring that the connection between one device and another was 100% confidential. You can see @fervagar's passion for security.
• We replaced all industrial computers in a local company with Raspberry Pi's, reducing costs by 80% and providing a plug & play solution when there was a breakdown (we had an image ready with all the necessary software and configurations).
• We started playing with 3D printing. Printing our own cases for the Raspberry Pi

In short, a thousand and one stories, unforgettable moments, many learnings and above all a success story of a beautiful friendship. In the end, Damián went to China and Fernando started his PhD in Glasgow, and thus this stage came to an end.

Starting university: Computer Engineering

Do you remember that I did the internship at AndroidSX? I doubted a lot whether to continue or start university. In the end, I chose the latter, still unsure if it was a good or bad decision. Four years full of experiences, new friendships, nights in the study room, exams, coffee, parties... Very beautiful and hard years at the same time. I finished in Edinburgh doing an academic exchange at Napier University. Unforgettable experience. I greatly improved my English level, but there was still room for improvement.

New life in Edinburgh, Scotland

After six months of Erasmus, I decided that the best option was to continue in Edinburgh to improve my English level. I started an intensive course of 18h a week at Edinburgh College. To balance it and have income, I started working at Deliveroo as a food delivery rider. In my free time, I continued learning new technologies. I discovered React and Node.js and fell in love. I went all in with this tech stack.

Return to Spain and start working at Capgemini

COVID hits and a decision has to be made, stay in Edinburgh or return to Spain? After almost two years, my English level has improved considerably, the family is greatly missed, and vitamin D levels are at rock bottom. All this, along with the uncertainty and chaotic situation at the time, leaves no choice but to pack up and go home. Now the job search begins. I prepare my CV and LinkedIn and off we go. A few days later, I get a call from Pilar, from Capgemini. My idea is not to work in consulting, I prefer a product company or startup, but we start talking and she ends up convincing me (projects in Node.js and React and international projects). Off I go.

I start as a full stack developer doing MVPs with Angular (we adapt) and Node.js. I get to know agile working methodology well, the DevOps mindset, and the importance of good architecture for solutions to be maintainable and scalable over time. I learn a lot from my technical mentors (kudos to Santos & Darío), meet wonderful people, and many opportunities open up. The management team at ADCenter are very good people, Santos (CTO) gives me a lot of room to keep growing and learning. I get certified as AWS Developer and Architect. After a year, I start leading the development team.

I get a call: there is a great opportunity to lead another team and design the solution architecture from scratch, so off we go. Another year full of learning, technical challenges, and above all, teammates with whom I've shared incredible moments.

During this time, I combine my role as a developer and architect with being a yard leader of Node.js. I organize tech workshops and talks, conduct technical interviews, and mentor junior colleagues. I keep learning and improving both my soft and hard skills. I get certified as L1 Capgemini Architect.

After almost 4 years, something tells me it's time for a change, for new challenges and adventures. Also, that entrepreneurial itch I've had inside is starting to flourish: 'Better to regret having made a mistake than not having tried'. I only have words of gratitude for Capgemini, both to all my colleagues and to the company for all the opportunities, but in the end, all stages come to an end. With much sadness, I say goodbye to all my colleagues and begin my new adventure. Not only on a professional level as a freelancer but also on a personal level: we are moving to the Netherlands.

New adventure: freelancing

After all this time of learning, it's time to start on my own. To be honest, I'm not very clear about the direction yet. I only have these things clear:

• I am passionate about software development and architecture. It's not just my job, but also my hobby.
• I feel prepared and have a good technical level.
• I have led projects, managed clients, and mentored colleagues, and the feedback has been very positive.
• I love digital products, SaaS. I am willing to help people materialize their ideas.
• I am ready to start my path as a Solopreneur. I already have some projects underway.

So, with the laptop in my arms, I am open to collaborating and creating software solutions, bringing all my knowledge, eagerness, and passion for technology. Let's talk?