From IoT to APIs: How One Sentence Changed My Career

I never thought a single sentence could change the direction of my career. But when my senior once casually told me:

“Utsav, just build the API. It doesn’t matter whether it’s consumed by an IoT device or a frontend app.”

That moment shifted me from trying to be a firmware engineer to becoming a backend developer. I was an Electronics and Communication student at Parul University, in the middle of the post-COVID uncertainty — classes were part online, part offline. Jobs were scarce. Financial pressure was real. I just wanted to survive.

🌐 Office with WiFi and Air Conditioning

I found a small company near my PG that was between my college and room. I had no official role there at first — I mostly showed up to use their internet and sit in the AC. But I was curious and eager to learn.

Back then, I was just an IoT enthusiast. I knew hardware programming, and I was using third-party cloud APIs to connect my devices. But I wanted more control. That’s when I started exploring Django to build my own APIs that my devices could consume.

🧑‍💻 From Learning to Earning

One of my seniors working in the company noticed my progress — especially my Python grip and speed of learning. He approached me and offered a proper job: to build APIs, not for devices this time, but for frontend apps.

At that time, the company was handling 3 full-stack projects using Django for the backend and React for the frontend. He had spoken to the CEO and arranged for me to start. He even gave me access to older projects to study the coding standards and style.

This was more than an opportunity. It was a lifeline. I accepted.

🚀 My First Real Projects (and a 100% Hike)

I started building. Within 3 months, I completed two projects and received a 100% salary hike — along with a full-time offer letter while still in my third year. The company provided a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the college, so the transition was smooth.

How my software journey started

Of course, there was a trade-off. I lost touch with embedded engineering. But in return, I entered the world of software — a world with faster feedback loops, better income, and real growth.

🎯 Reflection

Looking back, I’m grateful I chose to build. That one sentence from my senior didn’t just redirect my path — it helped me discover a world where I could solve problems at scale.

While most of my classmates were home, passing time with PUBG, I was in a room learning to build real-world APIs — and eventually, a career.

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This article was originally published on Medium.