Title: Not Quitting Tech — Redefining It

Decision Made

I’ve been trying to decide whether I want to stay a Software Engineer or move down a different career path. After taking some time away (yes, a couple of years — it is what it is) and doing some deep soul searching, I’ve decided that I do want to stay a Software Engineer.

But there’s a little hitch.

Recently, whenever I read job requirements, I get the willies. As I go through them, all types of (bad) memories come rushing back, and most times, I can’t even finish reading. Triggers are real.

For a long time, I thought that meant I didn’t want to be a Software Engineer anymore — that the excitement was gone.

I’ve always been conditioned not to speak negatively about previous companies, and I’ll continue to honor that. But I had to at least admit the truth to myself. Once I gave myself the space to do that, something surprising happened — I felt that excitement returning. The excitement for learning, coding, and finding solutions.

Corporate America hasn’t really changed. And with this current focus on so-called DEI, it honestly feels like things have gotten worse.

Who would want to jump back into all of that? Not I. 🤪

The Hitch

And that’s where the hitch comes in.

I once heard Karen Hunter, from UrbanView on SiriusXM, say that programming is really about solving problems. That stayed with me. Because when I really think about it, that’s what I love — solving problems.

But the problem itself has to matter to me.

Here’s the hitch: I want to do this on my own.

No one questioning whether I’ll work (especially remotely) because I’m Black.

No one getting uncomfortable when I perform well.

No politics. No tension.

Just my joy of finding a solution.

A Shift in Perspective

All this time, I thought I was trying to figure out a new career.

But what I see now is this:

I’m really trying to figure out what problem I want to solve.

Just Start

I decided to ask ChatGPT about unsolved geometry problems. Geometry is one of my passions and so I got a list with some directions that feel interesting.

That’s where I’ll begin, and see where it leads me and if I can make an income.

Problem to Solve

I’m starting with Knot Theory, a subfield of topology, specifically by writing code to visualize knots.

I may or may not stick with it — that’s my multipotentialite nature talking. Giving myself the freedom to pivot is how I thrive.

ChatGPT suggested a project that really resonates with me:

“The Shape of Things Unseen: A Geometry + Programming Series”

Core Concept

Exploring how invisible math structures create visible beauty.

Combining:

• Geometry

• Linear Algebra

• Light touches of Topology

And turning them into:

• Visuals

• Stories

• Interactive ideas

In Conclusion

I’ll be starting with the first option:

Option 1: “Drawing with Matrices” (Highly Recommended)

Idea:Use matrices to transform shapes and watch geometry come alive.

Start with simple shapes:

• Squares

• Triangles

Apply transformations:

• Rotation

• Scaling

• Shearing

Then animate the results.

Now, I’m taking a moment to figure out how to begin — and how I want to share this journey across my online platforms.