In 2022, I finally made the decision to transition from a hobbyist dabbling in code to a full-fledged full-stack developer. I knew it was not going to be easy, but I took the plunge and accepted the challenge. The primary motivation for me was my love and enthusiasm for technology and I also didn't want to regret not deciding to follow my passion. It was a challenging but rewarding journey, and I'm proud to share my story and the lessons I learned along the way.

The first step was to establish a solid foundation in the basics of web development. I started by learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I practiced building simple websites and gradually increased the complexity of my projects.

To complement my journey, I decided to join the Pesto community to accelerate my progress. I was introduced to multiple technologies that are being used in production-ready apps today. I also got introduced to my Mentor, who really helped me build projects and answer my doubts.

Next, I delved into back-end development, starting with Node.js and Express. I learned how to build RESTful APIs and connect them to databases like MongoDB. I learned how to perform CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations which were essential for building a production-ready backend. I also became proficient in using Git for version control. I made a habit to push my code to GitHub which would make me proficient in

To round out my skill set, I decided to learn a front-end framework. I chose React and was amazed at how much more dynamic and interactive my web applications could be with its help. I also learned how to implement authentication and authorization in my applications.

By the end of the year, I had built a portfolio of projects, ranging from simple to-do lists to full-fledged e-commerce websites. I also made the final project for Pesto which was a mock test and quiz web app, you can check it out here.

Looking back, I'm grateful for the journey. It's been a lot of hard work, but the sense of accomplishment I feel every time I build a new feature or solve a complex problem makes it all worth it. If you're thinking of making a similar journey, my advice is to stay focused, be persistent, and never be afraid to ask for help.

In conclusion, becoming a full-stack developer was a challenging but rewarding journey for me in 2022. I learned a lot, built a strong foundation in web development, and I am actively looking for a new role to create an impact with my skills. With hard work and dedication, you too can achieve your goals.