From Curiosity to Contribution: Navigating the Early Days in Tech
On asking, trying, and slowly becoming part of something bigger.
I didn’t grow up with Harry Potter. No books, no movies. That changed recently, thanks to my daughter.
One afternoon, I found her curled up with the first book, eyes wide, fully lost in the story. The room was silent except for the rustle of pages and the slow rhythm of her breath. Sunlight pooled beside her on the floor. I watched, wondering which part had pulled her in so deeply.
That evening, she told me about Harry’s first time on the Hogwarts Express. A boy with no idea what lay ahead, surrounded by strangers, unsure where to sit or how to belong. But he got on. Found a seat. Asked questions. And slowly, he found his place.
That image stuck with me.
Because those first steps in tech feel exactly like that.
No map. No spellbook. Just hope that you’re not the only one feeling lost.
But showing up with curiosity, making space for others, and asking your quiet questions — that’s where belonging begins. Not all at once, but gently, and for real.
Let’s explore that.
Ask the Questions That Stir the Waters
In The Philosopher’s Stone, the Sorting Hat doesn’t simply sort — it sings about tension and choice. Harry could’ve ended up in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. The Hat saw more than courage. It saw complexity.
As a new developer, asking “What does this code do?” makes sense. But asking “Why is it done this way?” — that question shifts everything. It shapes your thinking and the team’s.
Those questions nudge. They invite others to explain, reflect, or reconsider. They make you more than a helper — they make you part of the conversation.
Hermione and the Heart of It
When I think of Hermione, I don’t think of spells or potions.
I think of a girl who always showed up prepared — not to impress, but to feel ready.
She raised her hand when no one else would. She stood up when it cost her. She cared deeply, even when it made her unpopular.
When I learned to code, I felt clumsy. Not a “natural.” But Hermione made space for people like that. The studiers. The re-readers. The ones who asked one more question to understand, not just to remember.
In a world that favors fast learners and loud confidence, she showed me that care holds its own kind of brilliance. That integrity outshines ego. And leadership can be quiet — with sleeves rolled up, heart open.
There are Hermiones in tech. You’ll know them by how they listen and how they never forget why they started.
The Invisible Work That Keeps the Castle Standing
Hogwarts ran on more than spells. It ran on quiet hands — house-elves, shifting staircases, work no one thanked.
When Harry met Dobby, he began to see the effort behind the scenes.
In your first tech role, you’ll often get the small tasks: fixing typos, updating docs, smoothing bugs others ignore.
They aren’t “just” tasks. They’re trust in progress. Dobby didn’t save the day with flash. He did it with loyalty and care.
That quiet effort gets noticed — even if no one says so right away.
Read the Room Before You Rewrite the Spellbook
Harry didn’t just learn magic. He learned people. When to speak. When to wait. Who to trust.
Every team has its own rhythm. Some thrive on quick feedback. Others need space. Some welcome bold ideas fast. Others build slowly.
Rushing to prove yourself without understanding the rhythm risks landing your good intentions wrong.
Take time to notice:
Who speaks first?
Who carries weight in decisions?
How is trust earned here?
You don’t need to change everything to make a difference. Sometimes, reading the room is the real magic.
Listen Beyond the Words
Snape’s words were sharp, but they held layers — fear, pride, protection.
Feedback in tech often sounds cold, especially under pressure. But “This isn’t right” often means “I’m worried,” not “You don’t belong.”
Hearing what’s beneath the tone takes practice. It helps you grow and keeps your team steady.
If you’re unsure, ask — not defensively, but with curiosity.
“Can you walk me through this?” goes further than you expect.
Share Your Journey — Trust Lives There
Harry never pretended to know everything. He asked, stumbled, admitted when he didn’t understand. That honesty built trust — friendships that lasted.
When you’re new, hiding the gaps feels safer. But sharing your thought process or the problem you’re stuck on isn’t weakness. It opens a door.
And doors like that invite people in.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you’re starting out or have been around a while, the path in tech rarely demands knowing everything.
It’s about showing up with care, even when uncertain.
About listening when it’s easier to talk.
About keeping your heart open in a field that often forgets it has one.
I’d love to hear your stories — your quiet wins, your “I have no idea what I’m doing” moments, your unexpected lessons.
So tell me:
What helped you feel like you belonged?
What do you wish someone had told you when you began?
Let’s keep growing — and keep tech with heart.
Because lasting change isn’t just in the code.
It’s in how we care, together.
The best thing I discovered in tech was knowing that there is no best. There's trade-offs in practically everything you do, whether it's the job that you took because it didn't pay as well, but it gave you more flexibility. It's a technical decision that allowed you to move faster, but not correctly.
A lot of my impostor syndrome was born out of this idea that I'm not doing it the best way. But I came to realize very slowly, far too slowly in fact, that no one is. You realize you're an impostor in a room full of other impostors, which kind of means you're all on an even level.
So I wish someone had told me at the start: "I don't know what I'm doing, and neither will you. Knowing that means you belong".
I couldn't resist some good and positive laughs while reading this. Damn, how could you pull these insights from Harry Potter? Haha
My fav piece: learn people. Who to trust. When to speak. When to wait.
This is fundamental. Learning politics early is a career bonus. A sin and a gift, I'd say.
One that you will face sooner or later, anyway.
But most importantly, I believe this enables you to get the best from the best, even if the environment is not the best haha
Nice piece, my friend.