Every year brings new knowledge, new people, new adventures, and challenges. I've decided to share what happened this year with you.
Work
I had big plans for 2024, including working at a FAANG company, launching a successful startup, writing valuable blogs, and learning as much as possible. I can confidently say that I achieved most of these goals. This year, I received 16 job offers, faced one hiring freeze, and got hundreds of rejections.
While getting rejected without even being considered by smaller startups was stressful, I successfully passed interviews at major companies like Google, Meta, Dropbox, IBM, and more.
Currently, I am focusing on my studies, which is why I had to turn down opportunities from Meta and Google—a five-day, eight-hour office job would limit my flexibility. However, Dropbox offered a fantastic remote work opportunity, which aligns perfectly with my goals.
Startup (42.uz)
I've been trying to build startups since I was 18. Many of my early ideas didn’t last long, while some worked well enough to provide valuable experience that still benefits me today. In November 2023, I launched 42.uz, and by January 2024, I became fully involved in the project.
We often say, "Strength is in unity!" but rarely practice it. I could have built my own platform, but I chose to contribute to 42.uz instead—and I have no regrets. Instead of just offering video lessons, we focus on solving real-world problems and helping users gain hands-on experience.
In 2024, we hosted 42Conf, where I spoke about solving technical challenges. At the end of the conference, we shared our plans for 2025, engaged with students, and listened to their feedback. We’re also planning to organize even more impactful live conferences in the future (In sha Allah).
Life
Balancing studies and work is challenging, but it has its own rewards. At university, I try to complete most of my courses at the beginning of the year. One thing I appreciate about studying in Europe is that knowledge matters more than attendance.
During my studies, I also got the opportunity to teach seven times. My professors liked my approach, projects, and ideas, which made my academic journey smoother (at least, that's how I feel).
Living abroad is tough because your closest people are far away. Fortunately, Azimjon aka and I helped each other through this challenge. I found a brother, and I believe he found one too.
Conclusion
My goal for this year is simple—take action! We know a lot, but we rarely apply our knowledge. This leads to endless questions, increased anxiety, and unnecessary fears. Knowledge is worthless if you don’t act on it—so just do it!
I’ve never categorized myself as just a Backend or Frontend developer. I see all challenges equally and focus on solving problems. The meme above perfectly illustrates how I joined the 42.uz team. Instead of labeling yourself as a Frontend Developer or Backend Developer, strive to be Otabek—a true problem solver.
Let's win!