Reinventing My Career: Dropping Out, Embracing DevOps, and Building a Future

My Journey: Embracing Change and Building My Tech Career — Day 0

Two months ago, I made a decision that changed the course of my life: I stopped waiting.

I had been waiting for university to make sense, for validation, and for someone to tell me it was time to begin. But I realized that the only person I was waiting for was myself. So, I decided to embark on my tech journey, on my own terms, with a new sense of purpose, discipline, and curiosity.

Since then, I’ve delved deep into DevOps, scripting, cloud technologies, Linux, and even Python development. I’m not chasing titles anymore — instead, I’m focused on building skills, improving daily, and staying adaptable. This is Day 0 of my journey to build in public.

🎓 Why I Stepped Away from University

After receiving my propedeuse (the Dutch equivalent of a first-year diploma), I came to a realization: the traditional education system wasn’t the right path for me. It felt outdated, too theoretical, and disconnected from the real-world tech I was passionate about.

But my decision to drop out wasn’t just about the educational system. It was also driven by my living situation. The long commute to university, combined with the housing crisis that made it nearly impossible to find a more suitable place to live, created an unsustainable routine. I was draining myself physically and mentally, and I knew I needed a change. The physical and emotional exhaustion was more than I could handle, and it became clear that I could move faster, smarter, and more efficiently if I took matters into my own hands.

In just two months of focused self-education, I’ve learned more than I did in two years of formal schooling. The clarity I’ve gained has been invaluable, and though the path hasn’t always been easy, it’s been the right one for me.

🏠 Where I’m Starting From

I’m currently based just outside Sofia, Bulgaria, living in my family’s house — a three-story building that my grandparents built. I live rent-free, cover my own bills, and use this space as a springboard to something bigger.

Life here isn’t always peaceful. There’s family tension, occasional judgment, and moments of doubt from those closest to me. But I’ve chosen to see these challenges as fuel, not friction. It’s all part of my journey.

🧑‍💻 My Background So Far

At 22, my journey has been anything but traditional. Here’s what I’ve accomplished so far:

• Tech Support at Microsoft Azure: I worked in Stage 2 tech support, solving complex identity issues (AAD, B2C, Hybrid, etc.)

• JavaScript Studies at SoftUni: I studied JavaScript and built foundational skills in web development.

• Move to the Netherlands: I moved to the Netherlands, studied ICT & Software, and worked physically demanding jobs to support myself.

• Return to Bulgaria: After returning home, I faced real-world challenges — debt, tough decisions, and valuable lessons.

• SEGA Junior IT Technician: I landed a job at SEGA as a Junior IT Technician, working hands-on with production systems.

• Layoff: I got laid off after month 4 due to office politics, not my technical ability. This taught me invaluable lessons about navigating workplace dynamics, and I used it as fuel to double down on my learning.

Since then, I’ve been dedicated to self-improvement, learning new skills, and building practical projects.

⚙️ The Paths I’m Exploring Now

I’m currently exploring two parallel paths that I’m passionate about:

DevOps & Cloud Engineering

I’ve been learning about Terraform, GitHub Actions, and Linux while gaining real-world experience with Azure and pipelines. I’ve interviewed for junior DevOps roles and am continuously applying what I learn in practical scenarios.

One of the key decisions I made was to build a virtualized environment for deeper hands-on experience. I’m running Linux VMs on both Ubuntu and CentOS, simulating production environments to practice system administration, networking, and automation.

Python Development

I’m also considering transitioning into software engineering through Telerik’s Alpha Bootcamp, which offers full-time Python development training. If I’m accepted into the program, I’ll commit to the bootcamp and transition fully into software engineering.

These two paths offer solid foundations for a modern tech career. I’m taking a focused approach, experimenting, and adapting as I go.

💻 A Major Shift: From Gaming Rig to MacBook Pro

Part of my journey has involved a personal transformation. For years, I struggled with my gaming habit, and despite numerous attempts to quit, it lingered. So, I made a bold decision: I swapped my powerful gaming rig for a MacBook Pro M2 with 16GB of RAM and 500GB of storage.

This wasn’t just about upgrading my hardware. It was a symbolic move to mark the end of my gaming obsession — something I had been trying to quit since I was 16. I realized that the gaming rig, while fun, was a distraction from my deeper goals. The MacBook Pro represents a shift in focus toward creativity, productivity, and my future in tech.

🧠 Building My Second Brain in Obsidian

A big part of my self-education has been about organizing and retaining what I learn. To do this, I’ve been documenting everything in Obsidian, a powerful knowledge management tool. I treat Obsidian as my second brain, where I collect ideas, technical concepts, and personal reflections.

I’ve even set up a repository in GitHub where I store my Obsidian notes, and I constantly look at the graph to visualize how my knowledge connects. The interconnected notes and links keep me motivated and organized. It’s not just about learning — it’s about understanding the bigger picture.

🛠️ What I’ve Built So Far

Since “Day 0,” I’ve already completed several key projects and milestones:

• Python Scripts: I wrote Python scripts for log archiving and automation, improving my coding and problem-solving skills.

• Linux Practice: I’ve been practicing daily Linux usage, including terminal navigation and shell scripting.

• Docker & Terraform: I set up mock infrastructure with Docker and Terraform to get hands-on with DevOps tools.

• CI/CD Pipelines: I created CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions, integrating automation into my workflow.

• Documentation: I’ve been documenting my learning journey in Obsidian and GitHub, making it a habit to reflect and share progress.

• Job Applications & Interviews: I’ve actively applied for DevOps roles and gained valuable feedback from interviews.

📍 Goals for the Next 3–4 Months

By August 2025, I aim to:

• 🚀 Complete 3+ real-world DevOps or automation projects to showcase my skills.

• 📚 Join or finish Telerik’s Alpha Bootcamp (if I enroll) to solidify my Python skills.

• 🔧 Contribute to an open-source project to give back to the community.

• 💬 Continue interviewing and sharpening my technical skills through real-world challenges.

• ✍️ Grow this blog with consistent, honest updates about my journey.

• 🎓 Earn AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP) and HashiCorp-related certifications, alongside AZ-900.

💭 Final Thoughts

This isn’t about taking shortcuts or finding hacks. It’s about building something meaningful — brick by brick. I’m not here to sell you a dream; I’m here to build one for myself, one step at a time.

If you’re self-taught, non-traditional, or figuring things out like I am, let’s connect. Let’s build in public, document everything, and grow together.

This is Day 0 for me — and this time, I’m not turning back.

✍️ Thanks for reading. If you’re interested in following the journey, hit “follow” or reach out — I’d love to talk to like-minded people on the same path.

— Georgi Tinchev