From fast food worker to cybersecurity engineer with Tae'lur Alexis [Podcast #169]

On this week's episode of the podcast, I interview Tae'lur Alexis. She's a developer and security analyst. Instead of going to college, Tae'lur spent years working various fast food and retail jobs.

Tae'lur taught herself Python and JavaScript using freeCodeCamp and worked as a software engineer for 5 years before specializing in security engineering. Now instead of building applications, she breaks them.

We talk about:

• Making ends meet working McDonalds in Florida

• How she taught herself programming using freeCodeCamp and the #100DaysOfCode challenge

• Leveraging local meetups to make developer friends

• Moving to Thailand and working remotely

You can watch the interview on YouTube:

Or you can listen to the podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow the freeCodeCamp Podcast there so you'll get new episodes each Friday.

Thanks to the 11,384 kind folks who support freeCodeCamp through a monthly donation. You can join these chill human beings and help our charity's mission by going to donate.freecodecamp.org

Links we talk about during our conversation:

• Tae'lur's website and blog articles: https://taeluralexis.com

• Tae'lur's YouTube channel about working remotely in Bangkok: https://www.youtube.com/@TaelurAlexis

• Tae'lur on Twitter: https://x.com/TaelurAlexis