My Journey in Web Development as a Filipino Developer

Curiosity Sparked in 2013

In 2013, my curiosity about how websites work led me to explore web development. I embarked on a self-learning journey, deploying my first website locally using XAMPP. This static site was built purely with HTML and CSS, marking my initial steps into the world of web development.

Career Shift: Maintenance Equipment Engineer

Despite my budding interest in web development, my career took a different path when I was hired as a Maintenance Equipment Engineer. With a degree in Electronic Engineering, I focused on building electronic components, putting my web development aspirations on hold.

Returning to My Passion in 2017

By 2017, I returned to my previous employer, to pursue my passion for IT. My responsibilities included repairing computers, maintaining and improving the company’s local area network, implementing firewalls using pfSense, and deploying Windows Server for Domain Administration and File Management.

Taking the Leap in 2020

In 2020, I decided to fully dive into web development. I began by mastering the fundamentals of HTML and CSS, leading to the creation of my first live website, jmtolmannlab.com. This site, hosted on Hostgator, was built from the ground up, including DNS management, and featured a product gallery with JavaScript. For the contact form, I used formsubmit.co.

Growing as a Developer Analyst in 2021

In 2021, I seized a new opportunity and was hired as a developer analyst in a BPO company. This role allowed me to deepen my knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as learn git for version control. Working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I also started freelancing, deploying websites in WordPress.

Enhancing Skills in a 2023 Bootcamp

In 2023, I enrolled in a free bootcamp by Village 88, which lasted three months. This intensive training honed my skills in CSS, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, and server deployment via the cloud.

Current Role and Future Aspirations

Currently, I am working and collaborating with the Australian digital agency. I am focused on expanding my expertise in WordPress development, with plans to delve into custom theme and plugin development throughout 2024.

By sharing my journey, I hope to inspire other aspiring web developers in the Philippines. My path illustrates that with curiosity, continuous learning, and perseverance, transitioning into a web development career is possible, even when starting from a different field.