About Me

Background

I grew up in Tokyo with a deep fascination for American movies and TV shows, which inspired a dream to explore the United States. At 15, I took a leap and became an international exchange student in Georgia, experiencing American culture firsthand.

After graduating high school, my college journey took me across the U.S.—from the sunny vibes of Bay Area of California to the plains of Wyoming and even the quiet rural areas of upstate New York. While playing collegiate football, I explored various career paths but struggled to find a clear direction.

In 2019, I unexpectedly developed a passion for learning Spanish. Despite struggling with the language in high school and college, I embraced self-study, using tools like Duolingo to improve. Motivated by my progress, I began my career in Mexico, working as an Assistant Manager at a logistics company for nearly three years.

I later transitioned to a role at Casio as a Sales Planning Executive, but it became clear that my interests lay elsewhere. That realization led me to pursue a career in tech. I returned to Japan in 2023, completed an intensive web development bootcamp at Le Wagon, and began my journey as a frontend developer in Tokyo.

Path to Programming

My transition into programming wasn't a straight path. Working in corporate roles made me reflect on the significance of meaningful work. During my time in Mexico City, I encountered digital nomads whose lifestyles inspired me to explore coding.

At first, programming felt like learning an entirely new language, but I quickly found it thrilling. I immersed myself in learning, attended a bootcamp, and connected with tech enthusiasts at meetups, which expanded my perspective and reshaped my career path.

My first role as a full-stack engineer at a digital consulting firm exposed me to a variety of technologies and industries. The fast-paced nature of client work honed my adaptability and problem-solving skills. Seeking a more focused environment, I transitioned to a product-driven company specializing in logistics digital services.

Currently, I work as a software engineer, collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop scalable systems and improve user experiences. My role enables me to apply my technical expertise while continuously growing and tackling new challenges.

Interests

When I'm not coding, I'm on the sports field. Football has been a lifelong passion—I played through college and still join weekend pick-up games. I'm also a Manchester United fan. During my time in Mexico, I discovered boxing, trained for three years, and continue to enjoy it today.

In my downtime, I love binge-watching Spanish TV shows and traveling to new destinations.