I spent the first ten years or so of my career in various customer support roles, from retail to motorcycle dealership service departments. That time taught me a lot. I learned about people's heightened frustration when their coffee order is wrong, and I learned a lot about engines, electrical systems, and what happens when you submerge a $30k side-by-side in the water while the engine is running. But most importantly, it helped shape the manager I am today. I learned a lot of empathy and compassion. But it also taught me resilience, developed a thick skin, taught me how to calmly handle tough situations under pressure, and gave me strong opinions on what a great customer experience looks like. At the end of 2017, I was ready for a new challenge. So, I took the leap and joined a full-time coding boot camp where I learned Python, JavaScript, React, and other technologies while learning full-stack web development. It was a big departure from the powersports industry I spent the first part of my career. At the beginning of 2018, I started my first software engineering job. I've since had to pick up new technologies, coding languages, and processes quickly. I went from working strictly in JavaScript to having to quickly learn Angular7 to complete a client project on schedule and learning the nuances of the Google Maps API to implement new site features. It's been a rollercoaster, and I've learned so much. I've since shifted again, this time more accidentally, into highly technical software support. I ended up here to fill a need. I stayed because it was the perfect blend of customer support and development, merging the two worlds. I enjoy helping people in tough situations, and the constant challenges keep me growing. But my favorite part is the learning, mentorship, and career growth that support has the potential to nurture for those looking to get into tech and software engineering. The product knowledge and customer insight a support engineer develops through their time in support is unparalleled. Bringing that with them into other parts of the company is truly invaluable.