Career & Development

My Journey as a Developer: From Curiosity to Growth

August 26, 2025•8 min read•Career & Development
Developer workspace with multiple monitors showing code

Every developer has a story. Mine began with curiosity — a simple question that kept running through my head: "How do websites actually work?"

What started as curiosity has since grown into a passion for building real-world applications, solving problems through technology, and continuously leveling up as a developer. Alongside coding, I also embraced my creative side in graphic design, which continues to influence how I approach projects with both functionality and aesthetics in mind.

The Spark of Curiosity

I still remember my first experience opening a code editor and typing simple HTML. When I saw my own text appear in the browser, it felt like magic. That "Hello World" wasn't just a program — it was the beginning of a journey.

As a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology graduate, I was exposed to programming, databases, and IT fundamentals. While my studies gave me a strong foundation, it was web development that truly captured my imagination. The idea of creating something interactive and accessible to anyone online felt powerful.

At the same time, I developed an interest in graphic design. From posters to digital layouts, design taught me how to combine creativity with structure. Later, I used Figma as my go-to tool for UI/UX design, wireframing, and prototyping — a skill that blended perfectly with frontend development.

The Learning Marathon

Like many developers, my path wasn't a straight line. I learned through trial and error, projects, and late-night debugging sessions. Every new concept felt like unlocking a superpower.

Key Milestones in My Journey

  • •2019 – 2020: Learned the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
  • •2021: Built projects using vanilla PHP, HTML, CSS, MySQL, and XAMPP
  • •2022: Explored frontend frameworks like React and Tailwind CSS
  • •2023: Dived into Next.js, backend development with Node.js & FastAPI
  • •2024 – 2025: Focused on interviews, IT development skills, and system design for bigger roles

From Student to Professional

Transitioning from practice projects to professional opportunities has been both exciting and challenging. I quickly realized that coding is only one part of the job. Communication, collaboration, and problem-solving are equally important.

Web Developer (Early Roles)

Freelance & Project-Based | 2020 – 2022

I learned the importance of clean code, user experience, and accessibility. Every project improved my discipline and adaptability.

Web Developer & Graphice Designer

Current Journey | 2023 – Present

Today, I'm preparing for roles where I can contribute not just as a developer, but also as a team player, mentor, and future leader.

My Technical Arsenal

Over time, I've built skills across both frontend and backend development, while also applying my graphic design background to create intuitive and engaging user interfaces.

Frontend Mastery

ReactNext.jsTypeScriptTailwind CSS

Backend Skills

Vanilla PHPLaravelNode.jsFastAPIMySQLMongoDB

Design & Tools

FigmaPhotoshopIllustratorWordPressFramer

Workflow & Development Tools

GitVS CodeDockerPostmanXAMPP

My Development & Design Philosophy

For me, development and design go hand in hand.

"Great code is not only functional — it's readable, maintainable, and empathetic to both users and fellow developers. Great design makes that code approachable, engaging, and memorable."

I believe in building applications that are not only functional but also visually appealing, intuitive, and accessible.

What's Next?

The journey doesn't stop here. I'm currently:

  • •Preparing for developer and IT development roles
  • •Exploring AI integration in web applications
  • •Strengthening system design and architecture skills
  • •Building projects that emphasize performance, accessibility, and design

Above all, I aim to keep growing and contributing to the developer and design community. Technology never stops evolving — and neither do I.

MA

Marvin A. Abad

Frontend Developer & Graphi Designer