When I look back on the jobs I’ve had over the years, it feels like flipping through a scrapbook filled with unexpected turns, personal growth, and a lot of grit.

My very first job was as a coil tester, where I performed hipot testing—a process that checked the insulation of coils under high voltage to separate the good ones from the faulty ones. It was repetitive, quiet work, but it taught me patience and the importance of doing things carefully and correctly.

From there, I worked as a dishwasher, and not long after that, I became a waitress. I tried to keep my waitressing job even after I landed a full-time role as a clerk in an office, but it eventually became too much to juggle. Still, both experiences gave me a deep appreciation for the people who work behind the scenes, and they taught me the value of humility, hard work, and hustle.

Years later, while attending college, I became a working student—working in the IT department at school while pursuing a degree in the same field. That job lit a fire in me. It confirmed I was on the right path. Eventually, I moved into a full-time IT professional role. I was fortunate to have had the chance to work at some of the major corporations, where I expanded both my knowledge and skills. Although that became my main career, I always found ways to explore other creative passions on the side.

I began designing websites as a side gig and even ran a little cupcake business, baking and selling homemade cupcakes. My creative energy has always needed space to breathe. A couple of years ago, I became a school photographer, and I still take on photography jobs from time to time. It brings me joy to freeze moments in time—to tell stories through images that people can hold on to.

Through it all, my most important and fulfilling role has been being a mother. Becoming a mom changed my perspective on everything. It made me more intentional with my time, more grounded in my priorities, and even more motivated to keep learning and growing—not just for myself, but for the little eyes watching me. Motherhood added a new layer of meaning to all the work I’ve done before and everything I continue to pursue today.

Looking back, every job taught me something. Whether it was how to multitask, how to troubleshoot, how to talk to people, or how to believe in myself again after setbacks—each chapter added another layer to who I am today.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: the work we do—no matter how big or small—shapes us. It challenges us. And sometimes, it redirects us toward something we didn’t even know we were meant to find.